Interested to hear your story Dimitri. How many operations have you had so far?
Does anyone had successful anorectal fistula surgery in NY. Can anybody please suggest any experienced colon and rectal surgeons in NY?
Hi! I am going through painful abscess and found out that there is a fistula involved in it. My doc recommended fistula surgery but he said he had not seen this kind of case in years. Please some one recommend me any experienced colon and rectal surgeon in NY. Thanks!!!
Hi, I'm a 13 yr old kid. This year in may, I had very bad pain in anal area. Went to the GP, he said only just a small fissure (which has happened many times beforw because I have chronic IBS and constipation-I was on a laxative for that). Pain continued for many weeks and fever started to arise. Went back to GP-he said I might have a virus but the pain was not the cause of it and was nothing to worry about. Weeks went on and my mum knew that something was off. She was a nurse so she knew a gastroenterologist. We had an appointment the next day and straight away he said that it might be an abscess. He didn't want to look as he said to tender. He said if temp raises to over 38.5, go to hospital to have drainage. At this point, me being a kid with a complete lack of medical knowledge, and feeling very unwell, I had no idea what he was talking about. Anyway, that night when I got home temp was almost 40. Watched it over next couple of days and I virtually couldn't move. Mum took me to the hospital to get it checked out (I still had no idea what was happening). I waited in emergency all night for a coler Rectal surgeon to see me and it ended up just being a registrar. He looked and said straight away that it was an abscess and needed to be drained immediately. She was very very inappropriate with what she said considering I am a kid. She said that I should have come weeks ago and now I was septic and she went off on my mum. Then, she insisted that she performs the surgery right now (1am). She overdramatised the whole situation and said that if I didn't do it with her now, I would get gangrene. I have learnt from this experience that you MUST get a good and reputable surgeon. Thankfully, my mum having half a brain, she called her contacts in the health industry and insisted to this lady that as a private patient we would want a surgeon not one in training. We stayed there overnight and thankfully after contacting people overnight we had a Coler Rectal surgeon come to our room that morning ready to perform the surgery in a few hours. I had a really bad experience with the anaesthetist but basically the surgery was successful. I stayed in hospital for just under a week on IV antibiotics. After the surgery, they said that there was 30mL of pus in there. Long story short-everything healed well with a few worries along the way but nothing serious.... up u till 6 weeks ago. The wound opened up and it started discharging blood and pus. I had to have an MRI the next day and thankfully it showed hat it was a blind-ended sinus where the abscess was (it must have never healed properly) I was put on antibiotics cuz I had a fever and it got a bit better. I still had the fever but it wasn't infected. We saw the surgeon a week after and he said that all should be good-it look alike it has healed up well, "if it happens again, treat with antibiotics and if doesn't heal have another MRI." A week later it started discharging again and again and again and again. We saw him and he said that it isn't normal and he suspects a possible fistular. He recommended we do exploritary surgery to check what it is. He also said to have a colonoscopy due to my past experiences with my bowel which has only been thought to be IBS. So basically I have been waiting. Hoping hat it will just heal. Tonight, it discharged a whole lot of blood after not having discharged for a week. I just hope that it doesn't turn out to be a similar experience to 6 months ago. I hope that the blood doesn't change the treatment of it and hopefully if o have the surgery it all goes well and there is nothing unplanned for.
Sorry for all the blabbing, but what are you thoughts?
Blab away tomjohnston.
I'll say the same to you as I say to everyone.
What are you eating?
Glad your mom has your back x
Hi Analabscess, just read your message, sorry for the late reply.
My story is as follows: I was originally diagnosed with a high transphicteric fistula in June 2017 with a secondary extension (opening).
In August 2017 I had a draining seton placed which remained in site for three months. Then in the end of October I had a Filac surgery.
This did not fix the fistula but greatly improved it (extension has closed, draining decreased by 80%). The situation is a lot easier for me, so I am really grateful for these two really minor surgeries I've had. The recovery was a matter of days for me. Furthermore, due to the seton and the Filac my fistula is now low transphicteric and fistulectomy or fistulotomy or cutting seton is most likely feasible. I will have a third surgery most likely by the end of January, ideally to finalize things.
If I could, I would have had fistulectomy at first place. As I wrote to you, I've read many papers about this. One interesting study is a study done in Ireland during 2014
The role of loose seton in the management of anal fistula: a multicenter study of 200 patients - through the use of a loose seton and a final minor fistulotomy they reached a sucess of 100% with only 6% having recurrence.
Another review of studies for Complex fistulae is quoted below:
"Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty for anal fistula (FIPS): a systematic review.Ratto C1, Litta F, Donisi L, Parello A.Author information
Abstract
There is still no clear consensus about surgical treatment of anal fistulas. Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincter reconstruction is still regarded with skepticism. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence in the literature supporting the use of this technique in the treatment of complex anal fistulas. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched for the period between 1985 and 2015. The studies selected were peer-reviewed articles, with no limitations concerning the study cohort size, length of the follow-up or language. Technical notes, commentaries, letters and meeting abstracts were excluded. The major endpoints were the technique adopted, clinical efficacy, changes at anorectal manometry and assessment of quality of life after the procedure. Fourteen reports (666 patients) satisfied the inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was low. Some differences about the surgical technique emerged; however, after a weighted average duration of follow-up of 28.9 months, the overall success rate was 93.2 %, with a low morbidity rate. The overall postoperative worsening continence rate was 12.4 % (mainly post-defecation soiling). In almost all cases, the anorectal manometry parameters remained unchanged. The quality of life, when evaluated, improved significantly. Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty could be a therapeutic option for complex anal fistula. Success rates were very high and the risk of postoperative fecal incontinence was lower than after simple fistulotomy. Well-designed trials are needed to support the inclusion of this technique in a treatment algorithm for the management of complex anal fistulas."
Another interesting compartive study is Predictors of Outcome for Anal Fistula Surgery by Abbas, which compares different methodologies for various fistulae categories. Hope it helps.
Hi guys, not sure if anyone is still on this but it's worth a shot. Basically about a year ago I had an abscess which then formed a fistula, long story short I'm due to have surgery on Friday to insert a seton. I'm sooo scared, I'm scared of the surgery itself and if it will make it worse. Up until now the fistula hasn't caused that many problems, just has days when it bleeds and then days when it doesn't. My partner is adamant that I go through with the surgery, but I'm just not sure?
Hi
I had an abscess around 2012 and it was really bad. When they operated I had a 6x6cm cavity. Weeks and weeks went by and it just wouldn't heal properly and would often weep.
A number of months later I had an MRI which pointed out a fistula as a result they placed me on a waiting list for a seton to be fitted.
Within this time due to the fistula I ended up with another abscess 
and had to go in for surgery but during this they fitted the seton.
I won't lie it was very very painful initially but it took a year to come out safely and ever since I have had no issues!
I would say go through to the pain for the gain!
It's really not pleasant and slightly embarrassing however it can prevent further infections and re occurring abscesses!
Good luck with your surgery! If you have any questions let me know!!
Hello
Ask to join the fistula support group - fistula survivors on facebook. This will help you make a more informed decision, it is scary and there are alot of scary stories but you can come through this. It depends where your fistula what is the best surgery and eating more healthily (even if you think you already do then do it more) will help improve the outcome of surgery if and when you decide to go for it. Best wishes I hope you are better soon.
Better go op...dont wait
hello!
Is there possible of gaining fistula after 4 yr
One month on; how are you?
I just had Op today with a seton on. The pain is next to nothing so far....
That's alot of surgeries,try VAAFT surgery for fistula that's painless quick healing
Been a while since you posted this but wanted to say I am in a very similar situation. Same age, same condition, same good job but hourly IT job but with 4 kids. I had the CR do a fistula plug about 1 1/2 months ago. The pain is much better but the healing is still going on. I feel much better than I did before and had the same trepidation and even after having dealt with this for several years.
I thought I would address the time off issue. My client was very helpful but I am hourly. It took me about 2 full weeks before I could drive in. I should have waited another week. I did work a lot from home in bed and came onto the client site more and more gradually. After a month was able to function fully.
Just thought I would reply.
thanks for replying. You have helped relieve some of my worry knowing there is successful surgery
Thanks for advice and help. I don't have any bowel issues apart from getting a perianal absecess. It came all of a sudden and i don't know why... I eat healthy, don;t smoke or drink, i do loads of walking and running. Could excessive walking do this> I've no bowel disorders . I saw my gp last year as i have a tiny hole which is near my abscess scar, it occasionally drains pus but my gp dismissed it and said do i have constant pus i said no as i don't then he said we'll leave it/ he might think i'm fussing over nohtinhg
For me it started out as an abscess. It drained on it's own followed by alot of pus and bleeding. That eventually went down. But I kept feeling this little sensitive, wet spot that just wouldn't go away. At first I thought it was an ingrown hair.
But it turns out they abscess left an opening. It's near my anus. It doesn't hurt at all actually. Only when it gets irritated it swells up and releases pus. When the specialist examined me I realized I only had pain where they opening was located. What does that mean?
I've never had surgery before I'm scared out of my wits... But I really want this gone permanently and behind of me. So I can return to having a normal life. Any advice?
I had altogether four surgeries. The last one was taking out the cutting c-ton and fistulotomy. I am well for a year and 1 month now. First surgery was with general surgeon so obviously it didn't work. During the second surgery my proctologist noticed my fistula is longer and more complicated so he cleaned out my returning abscess and referred me to a colorectal surgeon who specialized in more complicated fistulas. Mine was supposed to be a vaginorectal one. For the longest time doctors would suggest to me that my abscess came out of nowhere that maybe I sat too much etc. Finally we figured out that I tore both my vagina and rectum during giving birth to my daughter. Believe me, it all clicked in my head. I was complaining of intense pain for 8 months post childbirth and dctors and nurses just told me its probably hemmoroids and nothing much. Well the tear in my butt got infected, i could feel the 'papercut' feeling in my sphincter muscle when I went nr 2 and I got my first of abscesses. 3 years later, 4 surgeries later I know that it was a tear and that my sphincter muscle got damaged beyond repair. Now, after the succesful surgery i started getting the feeling of being very tight, papercuts down there more and more often. The fear that Im going to get more abscesses combined with my last surgeon's insistence that everything looks great down there made me very miserable. I went on a juice fast, figuring if I eliminate eating I will not have to poop. I was woozy and weak so eventually I syarted eating applesauce and veg broth. I cried from pain days upon days. Finally i went for second opinion to my proctologist who referes me to the specialist and the proctologist told me i have a post surgery complication of anal stenosis. I went through physical therapy- sphincter muscle exercises along with electrical current machine thingy. It worked like a charm. Whenever i feel that im getting rubbed down there i take a spoon of miralax and exercise 4 x a day like im supposed to. To people whom docs told they dont know reason for the abscesses i can share this : Most abscesses stem from anal tears. Tears are caused by trauma like 1.childbirth or 2. the wrong/ unnatural kind of s e x which thank God neither me or my husband have an interest in and from 3. a bad diet. I am a mostly plant based person (vegan) . High fiber, water and fruit based smoothies replacing one meal. Very little bread or other products based on flour (pizza, pasta). Stay away from dairy and meats.As long as i stick to eating like I do and not sneak chocolate in... my nr 2 is soft and doesnt hurt me. I also use vaseline every single day as a precaution - I put it in on tip of my little finger. Hope it helps someone.
Just so well said Cporosus1! Well done!
hi i had fistula surgery 6 weeks ago. i still have stool and yellow discharge. it is normal to have discharge after six weeks?