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Fistula tract - Seton Procedure

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Posted 8/21/2013 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
June 2012 i had my first perianal abscess, since then I had it 5 more times, I did surgery 3 times to have it drained, and 3 times it drained itself.

So 6 months ago I had a colonoscopy which didn't result in an obvious fistula and just recently an MRI which had this result:

Low trans-sphincteric fistula on the right side of the anal canal. The fistula runs parallel to and outside the external sphincter on the right side. It appears to traverse the sphincter complex at around 9 o'clock.

I am having a Seton procedure next Tuesday, and I've got a background idea about it but for one I do not really understand the result of the MRI and the consultant didn't really give me good information.

Anyone here who can tell me a bit about my MRI results?
Also how do you feel after the Seton procedure? How is the pain when compared to the Perianal abscess incision and draining procedure? Does it involve daily packing/dressing, is it a big wound or just big enough to pass the Seton stitch? Any info/help would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks a lot
Posted 8/21/2013 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome.  Well...strange as it sounds...I loved my seton.  But, I will caveat that with my fistula was perianal with very limited muscle involvement-to qutoe the nurse "if you have to have a fistula, this is the best place".

Can't help much on interpreting the MRI.  Based on my experience, I would ask the doc "does this mean a lot of muscle involved?"  The less muscle...the less issues it seems.

My seton was considered surgical, but you would never know it.  I had the seton in and it was very tender in the area for about 5 days.  Then somewhat touchy to sit on for about two weeks.  After that, I barely noticed it. 

I will say that if you don't have a sitz bath, get one!  Warm soaks were very comforting and they gave me a cleanliness I really craved.  I also took full advantage of my hand held shower head (we started calling it the naked bidet)

Hope your seton is as good an experience as mine was.

Posted 8/21/2013 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
I love my seton, too. A lot less painful than the abscess. I second what Habs said.
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