Going for "pioneering" surgery

[Sascot]

Well we had our appointment with the surgeon today and it went really well. Andrew has become fed up living with his fistula and has given the 6mp a good chance to help, so he was really hoping the surgeon would "get rid of it"!
Apparently his fistula falls inbetween the complex and simple category, " a bit of a grey area" for how to treat.
The surgeon (I think he's pretty excited too) gave a talk at a Crohn's conference in May about closing fistula's with a plug and everyone was really interested. So Andrew is going to be his first ever patient to have this done - first in the hospital too. I imagine the theatre will be rather full with interested parties! :lol:
I know there is a chance it may not work, but the surgeon says there are not many bad consequences if it fails - no risk of incontinence, etc. So we are now on the waiting list and hope to have it done mid to late October. He has to order in the equipment for it first.
Andrew is really excited and quite proud to be a pioneer patient! :ycool:

 

[Patricia56]

That's great news.

Has he tried and failed biologics? I believe that would be the typical treatment approach here in the US - move to biologics either with or instead of surgery.

 

[Tesscorm]

Wow, that sounds great! I hope it takes care of the fistula for Andrew!! :thumright:

 

[Sascot]

Patricia - the med route would be infliximab, but because he is so well otherwise with no active inflammation or symptoms, they do not want to use stronger meds.

 

[Johnnysmom]

That's awesome, you will have to let us know how it goes.

I am very excited for all the new treatments for IBD, glad you all are able to be a part of it!

 

[Patricia56]

Sure hope it works well and he heals quickly.

 

[Twiggy930]

Cool! I hope it does the trick.

 

[Dexky]

FWIW, and not much since we've never dealt with fistulae, I'd be inclined to go the surgical route and save the remi for possible future need. I hope it works!! Good luck!

 

[dodie74]

Great news Sascot... hope it works wonders for Andrew. xxxx

 

[Jmrogers4]

Hope it works. That is great news.

 

[polly13]

Wow sascot hope this goes well, am really interested in this as Lucy also has a non healing fistula, what hospital do you attend in the uk as I might ask Lucy's GI to look into this also. The only surgical option discussed with us was quite radical and involved colostomy so hence we are using biologics. Fingers crossed you get called soon and that it works

 

[Brian'sMom]

Exciting. And proud of your son! Please keep us posted

 

[positivemum]

I really hope it goes well and solves his problem

 

[Niks]

Very exciting!! Really hope appointment comes through soon.

Goodluck!!! Xxx

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

I echo the others... Very exciting to be a pioneer for something that may be a huge benefit to him and many others!

 

[DustyKat]

Wow Sascot, I hope all goes wonderfully well! :goodluck:

And well done Andrew for being a pioneer! :thumleft:

Dusty. xxx