Advancemnet Flap repair for Fistula

I am 39yrs old and have suffered with an anal fistula for a little over 20yrs! I have had multiple operations to drain them over these years for it to only re-occur. Last year I finally found a colon and rectal surgeon in my area who specializes in fistulas. I have had 3 setton drains put in over the course of 6 months. 3 weeks ago I was finally healed enough to try the advancement flap procedure. They created a flap using my own healthy tissue from inside my rectum to cover the fistula opening and then cut out the fistula track and sack that it had made over the past 20 something years. It left me with almost a baseball size hole on my bum near my anus that my husband has had to pack with gauze twice a day. I also have to soak in very warm water twice a day to promote healing. I was on bed rest for 2 weeks, now on my 3 week post op, I am back at work part time (office job sitting) felling much better. I still have some pain but it is not as bad and it is getting better everyday. I do not have CD or any other type that would have caused this. So far, it looks like my procedure has worked as I have no signs of infection or reoccurrence of the fistula. I can still feel the stitches inside my rectum and still some pain when having bowel movements, although that is also getting better. I use baby wipes to wipe my bum after bowel movements which helps with the pain rather than using toilet paper, then after every bowel movement I soak in the tub for at least 15 minutes and wash with dial soap and water then rinse off in the shower. The hole is closing up nicely and is almost closed after 3 weeks! I would be more than happy to answer any questions about my experience!

Hi cyborstang,

Could you please let me know your doctor's name/ I am desperately trying to find a good surgeon specialized in fistula area?
Thank you very much!

Hi cyborstang,

Thank you so much for your quick reply. Do you mind elaborating on the minor setback? If you do not want to discuss here, you can reach me at [email protected]
Thank you so much

Hi Cyborstang - could you email me as well? I am supposed to have the Flap procedure in the next month and after reading about it, I'm completely traumatized about the procedure. Am I going to have a large hole left in my bum? Is it like having a chunk of your tissue removed, leaving you with a crater? I need to know what to expect after surgery. Do I need to stay on bed rest? Was your hole left open and not stitched closed?

If anyone else has had the Flap procedure done, I'd love to hear from you about your post op as well. I'm copletely and totally freaking out about it.

I currently have one seton and one drain in place. No Chrons or other intestinal disease just several anal abscesses that have ruptured and one fistula (with a seton threaded through it).

email: [email protected]

I had advancement flap surgery 4 weeks ago and I am still
Draining from the external opening. I have my follow up
Appointment next week but I am just feeling worried looking
At my drainage. I don't see any feces but the drainage is a little thick ( not watery). How long does it drain after flap surgery and how do u know if the drainage looks fine. I do not have crohns.

Thanks.

Post Edited (Ritzfistula) : 1/8/2016 2:36:14 PM (GMT-7)