HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Anal Fistula, Draining Seton and LIFT surgery. PLEASE HELP!

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/9/2017 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Guys,

I really need some advice. about 3 months ago I developed an abscess a few cm from my anus. I got it drained at the ER and they couldn't find a fistula. It wouldn't heal after 2.5 months so I went into see a colo-rectal specialist. He booked me for an examination under GA and they found a fistula. Since the fistula went through quite a bit of muscle they decided not to do a fistulomoty & instead put in a seton drain, which is to stay in for six weeks, and then I will go under a GA again where my specialist said he will likely do a LIFT procedure. He told me that the biology of the fistula looks good for the LIFT technique. I don't have Chrons or any other issues, though my tummy has always been a bit sensitive.

I have two questions:

Firstly, I've read the success rate for the LIFT technique can be anywhere from 60% to 90%. Has anyone had success with LIFT? I've also read that even if it doesn't work it can lessen the fistula into a more simple track so they can then perform a fistulotomy.

Secondly, I was having throbbing pain around my anus after a bowel movement since my initial drainage but it was never awful and when I went to see my specialist it was at about 3/10. Uncomfortable with drainage but manageable. After having the draining seton put in 8 days ago the throbbing pain around my anus after a bowel movement is AWFUL, around 8/10 for the first half of the day, settling to about 5/10. It's almost unbearable. I really can't go 6 weeks with that sort of constant pain. I read that they like to create a bigger track with a seton prior to LIFT surgery and I was wondering if that's causing more fecal matter to get in, hence the increase of pain.

Any answers I would GREATLY appreciate!
Posted 7/19/2017 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi dbrookenz,I am on the same boat as you. Going for draining seton on the 31/07 and then surgery after 60 days. How are you holding up?
Posted 7/19/2017 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I ended up getting my LIFT surgery brought forward so I'm going in next Wednesday to have it done. The discomfort and pain with the Seton is just too much. How are your symptoms and what surgery do you have scheduled?
Posted 7/20/2017 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I have a fistula (for 60 days now). I don't believe I have Crohn's (no real symptoms). I am scheduled for surgery for a draining seton in 10 days (projected date 31/07). I have been told by my CRS that I will have to then keep it for 60 days, Then the plan is to have FiLac surgery (as I am based in Europe where FiLac is used) which is non-invasive surgery via the use of Laser.
My understanding is the that the draining Seton should be easy to handle (usually from what I read the first days are really tough but then dramatically improves). Is it improving for you?
I hope i can handle it because I have holidays planned, i have a big family 3 kids we do a lot of sports etc.
Hope you feel better.
Posted 7/20/2017 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
I think that everyone varies in their experience of a draining Seton. The typical experience is a positive one, apart from the drainage, which s what it's there for anyway. I found the first 3-4 days were a bit rough, it was uncomfortable and I was quite aware I had a tie coming through my anus and intoy wound. It was also quite scratchy when I moved, felt like a tight plastic string sharply pressing your skin. Not unbearable but noticeable and cause for the odd grimace. After a week you become quite used to having it in and the discomfort is mild, a slight annoyance at best.

My experience was also that the Seton seemed to open up my fistula a lot wider than it was. This is good for surgery as it all them to locate it precisely but it meant that every 3-4 hours after a bowel movement was really painful and I felt like I was reinfecting every time I used the toilet. I'm having lift surgery on Wednesday. I've heard great things about the laser so good luck my friend. Lift has about an 80 percent success and even when it fails it can turn a complex fistula into one that can be treated via fistulotomy. Here's hoping!
Posted 7/20/2017 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Sooooo....I just googled LIFT because it's one that I am not familiar with. There's a wikipedia article that explains it (although it's a bit technical), but there are also picture that made me want to lose the dinner I just ate. And I didn't even look at them closely. There is no way that I could be a doctor. Ever.
Posted 7/21/2017 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
Keep us posted on your progress!Good luck and God Bless dbrookenz. All the best!

Post Edited (Dimitri71) : 7/21/2017 1:50:06 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/21/2017 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
So I've been dealing with 3 fisutals for a year now. No one has mentioned the LIFT. I wonder if it's not done in Canada? My seton experience was torture. Pure torture.

My right tract is so swollen and painful that I can't walk. I think it will drain as theres a pus nodule forming. Not understanding why I have to continue to suffer when it seems like th LIFT could heal me....along with my growing success on Stelara.
Posted 7/28/2017 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Dbrookenz, how are you doing after the surgery? My best wishes for a good healing. All the best, Dimitri.
Posted 7/31/2017 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi about 3 years ago I had a high fistula and a seton, the seton was loose and I couldn't feel a thing after 6 months they changed the seton and it was so painful that I refused to go home unless they operate and changed it to a loose one. After another 6 months they decided to bo a lift. It was painful the first month, opening bowels etc, but since then I have fully healed and wouldn't know I've had it done.
Posted 7/31/2017 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Hyhoo. I have an appointment with CRS this Friday to discuss. Glad to know it worked for you.
Posted 8/19/2017 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dimitri,

I ended up having an advancement flap surgery. It's been 2 weeks today. It was a bit sore for the first few days but its just uncomfortable now, as there's a big wound that the surgeon left for the track to drain out. I'm hoping that the flap works and the wound heals up. It is still 4cm deep so hasn't healed yet but I as told it will be around 6 weeks before they know if it was a success. TBH i hoped to get a LIFT operation as it seemed less invasive but the colorectal surgeon said he thought the flap was best for me.

I'm still draining serous fluid and today a bit of blood. I'll keep fingers crossed! The surgery itself isn't so bad, I spent the night in hospital but otherwise pain is manageable, in case you look into getting it too.
Posted 8/19/2017 7:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks dbrookenz. I wish you the best. I believe any action we take, brings us closer to exterminating the big enemy. One way or the other fistula loses in the endsmile.
I am on the 19th day of Seton drain and so far so good. It has not really affected me in any sports or acitivities that I do. Drainage has also decreased. Looking forward to the next steps (meeting my CRS in 6 weeks).
Keep us posted!!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply