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Questions re FIBRIN GLUE in treating perianal fistula

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Posted 6/6/2011 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
I have questions about fibrin glue and am hoping those who have experience with this can help me??
I am a 33 year old female and have been suffering from a perianal fistula since Feb. I do not have Crohns disease, but have been following this forum and have found it immensely helpful as a resource over the past few months. Thank you to all including the administrators behind this wonderful forum who make this possible.
Anyhow, so my fistula is a low intersphincteric fistula tract with the internal opening about 1cm inside my back passage. Initially a perianal abcess formed rapidly over 48 hours and I had it drained in hospital on 22 Feb. 2 weeks later the surgeon confirmed it formed a fistula and I underwent surgery to have a loose seton inserted on 17 March. The seton worked very well to fully drain, clear up the induration and allow the surrounding tissues to heal (though it bloody hurt like hell after the 2nd op initially! Was unable to sit comfortably for a month).
This healed well over the past couple months last Thurs 2nd June I underwent a 3rd op to have the seton removed and for fibrin glue to be injected in. All went well post-op, minimal pain and my recovery has been terrific.

However last night and today (4 days post-op) I have noticed some discharge from the fistula wound opening: either pinky red watery discharge or today a tiny amount of creamy brown discharge which smells just like the discharge that came out when I had the seton. I am in no pain at least. I've called the surgeon today and am awaiting his call back in the morning, to possibly fit me in for review and further procedure later this week.

My questions are:
1. how effective is this fibrin glue for treatment of low perianal intersphinteric fistula? I seem to hear mixed results. Have any of you had a successful glue experience??
2. in the event that the glue 'fails', what does that look like? If the glue does not close off the tract then what happens? Does another abcess form immediately?
3. Is some small amount of discharge okay so early after post-surgery? Or is this a sign of failure of the glue procedure?
4 Can reapplying the glue a 2nd time help to seal the tract closed?
5. Do salt baths after undergoing the glue procedure cause any risk to the glue's longevity to seal the tract? (I have had a salt bath everyday post surgery)
6. is there anything I can do to ensure the next glue procedure is successful?
7. Any other suggestions welcomes!

Awaiting some guidance from some of you wise ones!
Thank you :)
Posted 6/7/2011 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi again,
The Surgeon called back today advising there's nothing he can do at this stage. He said the recent discharge from the fistula opening does not confirm whether the fibrin glue has or has not failed, only time will tell. He advised only to come back to him if I develop another abscess or significant pain like last time, and then he'll put in another seton and we'll be back to square-one!

It's a bit frustrating but guess I have to follow this advice and wait. So I am focussing my energy on staying positive and believing it is healing up well regardless. Plus keeping the area clean and doing all I can to eat well, rest, take care of my health etc.

If anyone has any experience or advice with having gone through a glue procedure, please let me know. No probs if you don't have answers to some or all of the above, just keen to hear some guidance whatever that may be.

Many thanks in advance
Posted 6/8/2011 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
hey seal. i am sorry for what you feeling. i have only had the glue on an abdomial fistula.. it failed miserably. it was too wet and under too much pressure. so it did not take hold.. it came out all in one piece but like i said it was big and wet. the glue itself was as big as a pencil and about 4 inches long.. so i f ya get something sticking out the hole, thats probably it..
Posted 5/25/2012 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
It was weired there was water discharge from my lower portion and I was not able to guess what was the source this startedin last august. I have been observing all the symptoms which you are aware of in this disease. In our region we don't have perfect medical facilities, until last month it was not diagnosed by any doctor. I shared this problem with one of my customer. He said he knows the solution by can't diagnose. He is a part time homeo doctor. He gave me hepar sulfuris 2x. 4 tablets or 4 drops 4 times a day. Much to my surprise the water discharge decreased by 90%. I was hope ful then he gave me hepar sulf 6x drops for 3 days he said this will wash out all what ever is left inside. I could feel the fistula. The opening became sore and there were fluids discharging. I went to my doctor and told him the whole thing then he diagnosed it as peri anal fistula and the only cure he suggested was operation which was my last priority. He gave me brufen,reckto for 15 days. He told me to keep on taking the homeo dose as it is harmless. At the same time he warned me to come for an operation on 16 th day. I consulted my homeo doctor he gave me silicea and told me that this will heel the wound and clear the whole mess. Much to my surprise on 14 th day there is no discharge skin is clear like it used to be I can still feel a hair like string. But it is over now.
I know this is not an answere to your question but what I recommend is that you try to see a homeo doctor in your area. Or try hepar sulfuris as homeo medicines are harmless.
Posted 10/19/2012 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, your story sounds just like mine had the fibrin glue operation on wed its now friday and I have had the pinky discharge you spoke of. What was the outcome of your surgery, did the discharge mean it didn't work. I hope you are well and hope it has all sorted itself out.I hope you can put my mind at ease x
Posted 10/4/2013 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi to you all. I am so sorry for all of you and include myself in the sadness. I am a very young woman recently diagnosed with CD. I was initially diagnosed with UC and had a total colectomy 6 years ago with jpouch. In the past year I have had several abscesses and have 2 anal fistulas and 2 vaginal. I had setons placed a couple of months ago. I'm now hoping for fibrin glue and/or fistula plugs. If any of you could please tell me when I get the fibrin glue/fistula plugs procedure(s) what things should I avoid, watch for, et all. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
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