Seton Stitch

[samanthab]

Hi -

I've been a long time crohns sufferer for many years now , it was undiagnosed till 2 years ago. However i first was admitted to hospital (finally after months of a large abscess) to have this abscess drained . This was the beggining of the hell of my on going abscess and fistula.

Finally they are going to put me in for surgery for a Seton Stitch. I was not given much information and really took me some time when the NHS consultant briefly explained what it was . To be honest I was quite disturbed . I came home and looked it up and got even more disturbed. I really just wanted to hear some peoples stories about the Seton such as risks and complications . I'm pretty used to the pain of the abscess when that flares up normally once a year or every other year but my worry is after the initial surgery is there problems being intimate with your partner , the string loosening or disappearing ? I read some horrific stuff elsewhere . I have to have this as they cannot operate as the fistula is next to the sphincter muscle so I think it is a cutting fistula. I have a pre op next week but I really need to know what i'm getting myself in to , I worry as I have had it so long (10 years) it could be cancerous eventually ?

Thanks ! :stinks:

 

[samanthab]

I just really want to hear some success stories and if anyone has had one successfully repaired and what the scarring is like once they repair it after the seton. Also how long the seton has to stay in for ??

 

[Daisy G]

I just really want to hear some success stories and if anyone has had one successfully repaired and what the scarring is like once they repair it after the seton. Also how long the seton has to stay in for ??

Hi samanthab, before been diagnosed with CD I first presented with a perianal abscess which was the start of my journey. Since then I've had multiple perianal abscesses/drainage/redrainage/fistula plug surgery and currently have two setons in place (one since Jul '12 second since Dec '12). These setons are non cutting so mainly in place to keep the fistulae tract open to ensure drainage of gunk (I currently have three complex fistulae).

These setons are made of some kind of thin rubber and is red in colour. Because it's in a loop sometimes I have to adjust it so that the knot doesn't dissapear into the hole - I usually do this when I'm having a sitz bath and there is no discomfort when I do it.

Before when I was living in NZ I had a seton in place in a different location and that seton was almost like dental floss and I only had it in for a short period of time (it was non cutting). That fistula was only sorted when a fistula plug was put in and the area healed up well and I only have some scar tissue .

I've not experienced any major discomfort due to the current setons. I continue to do sitz baths to the day and after bowel movements clean the area with a hand shower to ensure no nasties are left behind. The Colorectal surgeon said that the setons will remain in place indefinitely.

I hope the above is of some help? We are all going through the 'same thing' but we all experience it differently. I wish you all the best for your seton stitch.

 

[samanthab]

Hi , thanks for your reply . I'm seeing someone on the 11 th sept and I'm hoping they can tell me which type of seton and for how long it's going in for . The nhs isn't too great lol! I just need some answers really from them . I'm scared about incontinence and if I will have more scars ( apart from the abscess area which backs on to the fistula)

 

[samanthab]

Does the seton drainage contain faeces ? When I go out and need the loo out will this cause problems hygiene wise? If I recall I think they are putting my seton in to pull it away from the muscle so they can repair it as it goes up high and along the muscle ( very deep) I can just feel its got bigger and worse over time . So after the seton is out or has done its job I don't know the next step . Just feel I got a half assed explanation ... I guess I will have to wait till the 11 th to try and get some answers from a consultant . Would be nice to speak to my surgeon and know who it is rather than just turning up on the day .., sadly I don't think I can pay to go private !

 

[Daisy G]

Does the seton drainage contain faeces ? When I go out and need the loo out will this cause problems hygiene wise? If I recall I think they are putting my seton in to pull it away from the muscle so they can repair it as it goes up high and along the muscle ( very deep) I can just feel its got bigger and worse over time . So after the seton is out or has done its job I don't know the next step . Just feel I got a half assed explanation ... I guess I will have to wait till the 11 th to try and get some answers from a consultant . Would be nice to speak to my surgeon and know who it is rather than just turning up on the day .., sadly I don't think I can pay to go private !

My experience with 'drainage' it is initially like pus then as time passed it's now just a light straw coloured liquid. I've never had faeces coming out of mine. However, of late due to a flare up there was heaps of mucous coming out but, not sure exactly if it was draining from the fistulae or from my anus because where my wound site is, is so close to my anus? The mucous stopped though when I did a course of Metronidazole (anitibiotic) and Prednisone.

Where the fistulae are draining I usually place an absorbent dressing/pad over it and tape it in place. When I'm out for the day I carry spares with me plus baby wipes to clean the area and then change the dressing.

I do have scar tissue but it doesn't look as bad now as when I first had the perianal drainage done.

Having a seton in place is a good way to ensure that there is no fluid building up on the inside to that's a positive and having it in for a long time is kinda peace of mind for me knowing that my wound is not going to heal up on the surfact but still leave a cavity on the inside which could increase the risk of another abscess developing.

I hope your appointment goes well on the 11th Sep. I suggest that you write a list of questions (what you've asked here on this forum) and then hear what the Colorectal surgeon responds with. Rather ask too many questions so that you can be assured by the surgeon than not asking and having to wonder about it afterwards which can lead to anxiety and even stress.

Take care.

 

[Moggsey]

Hinge had setons in now for nearly 3 years with no problems at all and no pain from my abscesses I have no side affects and havenodischarge from the abscesses area so I would recommend u have them put in u will be glad you did