GI and surgeon not on same page

[pipmom]

My 16 yr old cut her Seton and pulled it out. Surgeon at Vandy replaced it with regular suture in fistula tract. Increasing discomfort now with discharge. Surgeon says it is mucous, but GI thinks it is pus. Labs show no increase in white count,sed rate or CRP. GI wants to go on antibiotics and get MRI. Surgeon says Sitz baths and topical Flagyl. So frustrated with daughter and doctors. Over it.

 

[Tesscorm]

That is frustrating! sorry you have to deal with this. If you were to go along with the surgeon (sitz baths and flagyl), how long would he expect before you see improvement? If it's just a few days, maybe you can try?? And, I don't know how long it takes to schedule an MRI but, if it does take a while, perhaps book the MRI just in case... :ghug:

 

[DustyKat]

I am always a bit iffy when it comes to surgeons and the long term treatment of Crohn’s. There will always be exceptions to the rule but to be honest surgeons are good at what they do but generally speaking they are not physicians and it is not their role to manage chronic conditions. They cut and close and very often admire their handy work which is fine but I don’t think I would be too far off the mark if there has been more than one person on this forum have their surgeon close up after an IBD resection and think they have cured the patient when they make statements like…I have removed the diseased bowel…Do you need to continue taking medication? No.
TBH, any good colorectal surgeon would defer to the GI and have them on board in the patients ongoing care.

There is nothing wrong with what the surgeon has suggested and no harm in implementing it but I personally would also be going along with what the GI is thinking and have further tests done.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Mehita]

We just witnessed the battle of the egos last week as well with my son's fistula/abscess/discharge. With the increasing discomfort, I'm inclined to go with the GI's plan of action. Seems they are both calling for antibiotics either way. Maybe oral Flagyl?

I would try and get an MRI or ultrasound soon. If there is more going on, you're going to want to know sooner rather than later and maybe that will get them on the same page.

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Poor mom! I would be pulling my hair out too. What do you think? Does it look like pus or mucous?

 

[pipmom]

Looks more like pus. Getting Rx filled and scheduling scan.