I have a draining seton in now and will be having follow-up surgery for an anal fistula. I have been researching the different surgeries and would like feedback on (l) advancement flap (2) fibrin glue (3) plug. Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated. I do not have Crohn's and am statistically out of the loop for this problem being 72 years old & female. Thanks for any responses!
Fistula surgery
- Thread starter BONZIE
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A cutting seton fixed mine over time. It took a while but it worked. Ask about it.
:ysmile:
:ysmile:
No more surgery after that.(touch wood) It eventually healed up. When it was nearly all the way through it was removed. The area was tender for some time but gradually it got better.
BONZIE,
I have had more than one seton. I was pretty drugged up and some of it is a little blurry. I had a lot of fistulas after the initial(softball sized like yours) abscess was drained from the inside. A lot of procedures ensued. The cutting seton was the very last procedure and it did it's job.
I have had more than one seton. I was pretty drugged up and some of it is a little blurry. I had a lot of fistulas after the initial(softball sized like yours) abscess was drained from the inside. A lot of procedures ensued. The cutting seton was the very last procedure and it did it's job.
cmack - saw my colon/rectal surgeon today and now she is suggesting a cutting seton! I have a draining seton in now. I have a low, intersphincteric fistula. Never before has she mentioned the CUTTING seton to heal the fistula. I am having a cat scan to determine the exact position of the fistula to the sphincter muscles since I am 72 and have already had some incontinence issues. Trying hard to stay away from those sphincter muscles.
I can hear that. I have to run a little faster sometimes too. Yeah, try to keep those muscles. It gets harder to hold it in without them.
Best of luck with the seton decision.
I wish you well,
cmack
Best of luck with the seton decision.
I wish you well,
cmack
You usually need day surgery to put the cutting seton in. They tend to work themselves out. If they don't it is still possible to remove them with no further surgery. It happened to me. I even took it out myself. (Not recommended) I just knew when it was about to fall out anyway. Yeah it is a good option.
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It is likely to work. Ask about it more.
It kind of works like a warm wire cutting into an ice block, The muscle heals in behind the seton as it works its way out. You get to keep the muscle. Therefore you are basically back to normal. It does take a while, and you have to continue to care for the area like you are now.
They do work.
They do work.
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I think was fairly minor(for me)to have the regular seton out and install the cutting version. It hurts a bit but not too bad. You will be able to manage. Be sure to ask if you can have a pain specialist if you need any more surgery. I had one and I was pain free for the most part. Most hospitals have one. Ask about that too. That is a very sensitive area.
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Love your posts, cmack - I still have questions so thanks for bearing w/me! If the cutting seton is an option for healing the fistula without surgery why didn't my surgeon do that in the first place instead of the draining seton and now going for the cutting seton?? The surgeon that drained my initial anal abscess in the emergency room wanted to do the cutting seton but it did not sound good to me & he indicated there would be another surgery after the cutting seton fell out so I went to a colon/rectal surgeon for further care. Well, I am anxious to see what the cat scan will show regarding the sphincter muscle involvement and on March 23 we will make a surgery decision.
BONZIE,
Thank you,
No worries, I was OK afterwards with no further surgery. I'm here because I like helping you deal with this kind of stuff. I wish I knew about this forum back in the initial days of surgery, surgery, and more surgery. I guess I just like to help people that are having a tough time whenever I can.
Your friend,
cmack
Thank you,
No worries, I was OK afterwards with no further surgery. I'm here because I like helping you deal with this kind of stuff. I wish I knew about this forum back in the initial days of surgery, surgery, and more surgery. I guess I just like to help people that are having a tough time whenever I can.
Your friend,
cmack
BONZIE,
I know the "cutting" part sounds bad. It really doesn't cause much more irritation than a regular seton though. It "cuts" very slowly, over months. It is way better than a fistulotomy, trust me on that one, I had several. OUCH! :voodoo:
cmack
I know the "cutting" part sounds bad. It really doesn't cause much more irritation than a regular seton though. It "cuts" very slowly, over months. It is way better than a fistulotomy, trust me on that one, I had several. OUCH! :voodoo:
cmack
Feel free to ask away. If I can be of help, I would love to.
Luv the way you respond so quickly! My surgeon is a woman of few words - don't have too many options for a colon/rectal surgeon in my area. Have had to do A LOT of research on my own. She acts like this is no big deal but it's MY LIFE. Thanks again for your interest and help.
BONZIE,
I totally get it. Those surgeons do this stuff every day, they get really used to it. Just like it's supposed to be no big deal to have a tooth pulled at the dentist. Or so they think. When it is your body on the line then suddenly it is a whole new perspective. What seems routine to some is scary to others. I'm also in a limited area for colorectal surgeons or proctologists, but it is only a 3 hour drive in good weather to see one. Some people have it worse.
cmack
I totally get it. Those surgeons do this stuff every day, they get really used to it. Just like it's supposed to be no big deal to have a tooth pulled at the dentist. Or so they think. When it is your body on the line then suddenly it is a whole new perspective. What seems routine to some is scary to others. I'm also in a limited area for colorectal surgeons or proctologists, but it is only a 3 hour drive in good weather to see one. Some people have it worse.
cmack
