Anyone have a penrose drain

[BoyMama2000]

My son had his abscess drained 4 times...first it was small and just drained. Then a seton was put in but the abscess remained, then they packed it and removed it slowly for 4 days and again it closed on the outside. Last, they put in a penrose drain. This seems to finally be working!!! It has been in almost a week but did need to be re-stitched once.

His surgeon said he no longer has a fistula and that it was very small, superficial and simple to begin with. He is on antibiotics.

If his abscess finally stops draining, should I still put him on medicine for fistulas? He currently takes pentasa and began Entocort a month ago. Biopsy show no crohns in rectum or sigmoid colon.

We don't want this back but don't want to go on heavier meds without need either! His crohns is only in ileum and a little in jejunum.

Thanks.

 

[debbie261]

I didn't even know there were meds for fistulas,mine was found in surgery and has been draining heavily for 3 months.They tried the penrose drain on me and I just drained around it,they even tried the wound vac twice and I drained around them.I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you,I was just curious about what meds they told you were good for fistulas.

 

[BoyMama2000]

Debbie261, Do you have an abscess too? My son's penrose drain was used for his abscess and not the fistula. Usually setons are used for fistulas. The meds tried for fistulas are antibiotics, immunomodulators and biologics like remicade. It seems like remicade is generally the most effective but the actual research varies wildly with all of these meds!

As far as "draining around the penrose, " I think that is okay as long as you continue to drain and so it is kept open to avoid an abscess.

What do you currently take for Crohns?

 

[debbie261]

I have had so many abscesses over the last 20+ years that I have lost count.I have a permanent colostomy and no rectum or anus anymore so setons would do me no good.What I am about to say is in no way meant to scare you,in fact I wish someone had told me this 20 years ago,2 years ago I had anal cancer,my oncologist said it was caused by so many abscesses.I had chemo and radiation and the cancer is gone.I just want people to be aware of how serious abscesses should be taken and to always keep your Dr. informed about them.Remicade made me have a bad reaction so they won't try that anymore,I don't take any meds for Crohn's.

 

[BoyMama2000]

Thanks for the vert important reminder debbe261. We always do have to balance the treatment with the potential risks and cancer is certainly the thing that chronic inflammation can lead to anywhere in our body. I am so sorry you had to go through all of that.

I am so glad you were diagnosed and treated and it is gone! Is this why you had your rectum and anus removed?

Can I ask you how life is now with the permanent colostomy and the removal of the anus and rectum? Is it a relief or do you find you still have symptoms? Where was your crohns?

I hope you stay pain free and healthy for years to come!