There are numerous kinds of fistula, most of which healthcare specialists can surgically extract.
In this article, Dr. Dipesh Thacker, who provides an excellent fistula treatment from Bhuj, explains what to expect during and after fistula surgery.
Kinds of surgery and recovery periods alter, but surgical success rates are increased, and most individuals heal entirely.
Fistulas are relatively common, while extreme conditions like Crohn’s disease and some surgeries.
According to Dr. Dipesh Thacker, an expert ayurvedic surgeon from Kutch, fistulas can have a substantial effect on an individual’s fitness and well-being. The most usual kind of fistula is an anal fistula.
Some fistulas are treatable with antibiotics and different medicines. If these choices do not work, fistula removal surgery may be required.
What is a fistula?
According to Dr. Dipesh Thacker, an excellent ayurvedic surgeon from Bhuj, a fistula is an uncommon tube-like link between two vessels or organs within the body.
Fistulas are often the outcome of inflammation or infection due to injury or surgery. They can appear in numerous regions of the body, whereas the most common types of fistula are:
Anal or perianal fistulas, which form between:
- the anal opening and anal canal
- the anus or rectum and vagina
- the vagina and colon
Urinary tract fistulas, which originate between:
- the bladder and uterus
- the urethra and vagina
- the bladder and vagina
Gastrointestinal fistulas, which form between:
- two parts of the intestine
- part of the intestine and another organ in the body, such as the bladder
- part of the gastrointestinal tract and the skin
According to Dr. Dipesh Thacker, an incredible ayurvedic surgeon from Bhuj, Aortoenteric fistulas can develop between a prosthetic aortic graft and any part of the GI tract or between the native aorta and the jejunum or duodenum.
Although individuals can usually handle the other kinds of detailed fistula overhead as an outpatient on an elective ground, aortoenteric fistulas are surgical emergencies.
Symptoms
People will have different symptoms depending on where their fistula is located in the body.
Symptoms of anal fistulas include:
- skin irritation around the anus
- unpleasant-smell
- throbbing pain
- passing blood with a bowel movement
- discharge near the anus
- swelling and redness around the anus
- problems in controlling bowel movements
- a high temperature, if an abscess is also present
Fistulas in the urinary tract can cause the following symptoms:
- abdominal pain
- discharge or urine leaking from the vagina
- irritation in the vulva
- feces leaking into the vagina
- unpleasant-smell
- gas or discharge from the vagina
- passing gas through the urethra during urination
- frequent urinary tract infections
Gastrointestinal fistulas can cause the following symptoms:
- stomach ache
- fever
- a racing heart
- diarrhea
- dehydration
- malnutrition
- vomiting
Symptoms of aortoenteric fistulas include:
- vomiting
- bloody diarrhea
- and sudden-onset low blood pressure.
Causes
Fistulas often develop due to an injury or inflammation within the body.
Inflammation induces ulcers to develop that can grow to reach another surface within the body.
This makes a track that helps drain pus from an infected site.
Typical reasons for fistulas include:
- Crohn’s disease
- tuberculosis
- diverticulitis
- ulcerative colitis
- hidradenitis suppurativa
- HIV
- surgery
- childbirth or obstructed labor
- a history of abdominal radiation injury
Surgical treatment for anal fistulas
“Some fistulas may heal with the help of antibiotics and other medications, but most require surgery,” says Dr. Dipesh Thacker, Bhuj’s amazing ayurvedic surgeon.
The primary alternatives for the surgical procedure of an anal fistula are seton and fistulotomy surgery.
Fistulotomy is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon clips a fistula along its length and allows it to heal into a flat scar.
A surgeon will place a portion of thin surgical thread inside the fistula at seton surgery to help drain any infection and let it heal.
Other treatment options include:
- endoscopic ablation
- advancement flap procedure
- LIFT procedure
- medical glue to close the fistula
- an anal fistula plug to close the fistula and allow it to heal
Each procedure for treating fistulas has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
A person should discuss these with their surgical team to know what to expect during surgery.
What to Expect Before and After Surgery
Following fistula surgery, most people will not need to stay in the hospital overnight.
Fistulotomy
Anal fistula surgery usually takes about an hour, but patients will need to stay in the hospital for some time before and after to prepare and recover.
If the fistula is small and shallow, the procedure may only require a local anesthetic. Otherwise, a generic drug will be used to put them to sleep.
The surgeon will make an incision during the fistulotomy to open up the fistula.
Seton placement
This procedure takes about an hour for an anal fistula, but it can take longer depending on how complicated the fistula is. During the process, someone will be asleep.
Following the seton placement in the fistula, the surgeon will cover it with a light, padded dressing.
A person can usually go home the same day if the surgery is straightforward and without complications.
Seton placement surgery is frequently done in stages by surgical teams, so a person may need additional operations to adjust or replace the seton.
The fistula may continue to drain for several weeks after surgery.
Recovery and follow-up
“The length of time it takes to recover from fistula treatment is determined by the type of procedure and its complexity,” says Dr. Dipesh Thacker, an outstanding ayurvedic surgeon from Bhuj
A person’s surgical team can provide personalized advice on how to recover.
The majority of wounds should heal in six weeks.
The following is general advice for those considering fistula surgery:
- For pain relief, take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- Wash the wound several times a day to keep it clean. It should be patted dry rather than rubbed.
- The wound dressing should be changed regularly. A nurse should demonstrate this.
- Place an extra gauze pad over the wound to stop discharge from leaking onto clothes.
- Exercise gently to avoid aggravating an unhealed injury. For the initial few weeks following surgery, avoid sexual activity.
- Seek help from individuals who have been through similar treatment.
Complications and risks
There is a risk of complications with any surgery.
Bleeding, infection, and adverse anesthetic reactions are common complications of fistula surgery.
Specific complications of anal fistula surgery include:
- taking a long time for the wound to heal
- Losing control of one’s bowel
- narrowing of the anal canal, making it difficult to have a bowel movement
- the fistula coming back
If a person is in severe pain or has trouble bowel movements, they should see a doctor.
Side effects
A person may experience the following side effects after fistula treatment:
- cramping
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
- soreness around the site of the wound
These side effects should subside after a few days as the body begins to heal.
Outlook
A fistula can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. However, most people benefit from fistula surgery and low recurrence rates.
A fistulotomy, for example, has a long-term success rate of 92–97 percent.
Summary
Living with a fistula is rarely permanent, with many surgical treatment options available.
The diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from a fistula can be frustrating and time-consuming. There is, however, a great deal of help available for anyone going through this.
Anyone with a fistula should consult a doctor or healthcare team to determine the best treatment option.