4th surgery for Anal fistula, may need 5th. help

[Giblett]

I am so over these surgeries.  I just had my 4th surgery for a fistula and this one did not work. The Dr. did an extensive flap repair and stiched the flap over the tract. Went yesterday for follow up.  Infection settled in the flap area and he is talking about a seton placement. This surgery was one week ago. I am getting very depressed as he said the tract is way up in the rectum.  I have had the 4 surgeries in 4 months.  Can ANYONE help me with this or direct me to a web site for me to look at.
I don't want to spend the rest of my life dealing with this. Thank you

[kimbacat]

good to hear!!!!  moving in the right direction.  take it easy, tho, ok?

[Giblett]

Went to the doctor today.  He wants to wait until next Thursday before doing anything else.  He said I had some infection but it is looking good. so, The news of not having surgery tomorrow was a blessing to me.  will keep you all posted.

[kimbacat]

thanks!  I really appreciate the kind thoughts.  

I've had quite a bit of perianal Crohn's disease (an inflammatory bowel disease).  fistulas, abscesses, fissures, etc are complications of the disease.  recently, I've been getting fissures around my labia and perineum and I've been having a lot of pressure from inside my pelvis pressing out.  I have a permanent ileostomy, so no rectum.  doc felt some fullness in the area upon exam, but can't tell if it's just scar tissue from prior surgeries or not.  I've also been getting a lot of infections due to the medications I'm on.  so he wants an MRI to check everything out, since MRIs are better than CT and ultrasound at finding fistulas.

[Giblett]

I am so sorry.  I did not know it was this bad. God, and I have been complaining. I really feel bad for you.  I sure hope your test come out o.k. I am going to put you on my prayer list. Makes you wonder why, doesn't it. But I realize how many people I can help just by talking to them.  And you have helped me alot.
Blessings to you!

[SweetCin]

I feel for you. I myself am about to undergo fibrin glue surgery on January 16th (my third surgery for anal/vaginal fistula). I've had two flap failures, and am frustrated like you. But wanted to reassure you about the seton placement, because I just had this done two weeks ago. The procedure itself wasn't bad. The shots were the most painful, but if you have a good surgeon, he'll go slow and massage the area. Just remember, it's not the needle that stings, it's the medicine. After the first few shots I didn't feel the rest of them, nor did I feel anything else. Take some pain medicine as soon as you can after the surgery (ask your doctor - depending on the sedatives they give you). I was in moderate pain directly after the sedatives wore off. It's not too bad if you can take pain medication and just go to sleep. The seton took a little getting used to, but it's not even been two weeks and I'm not even bothered by it.

[kimbacat]

good luck tomorrow Giblett.  sometimes seton placement is done using local anesthetic and sedation.  but sometimes the doc wants to do a thorough evaluation and explore the fistula tract and maybe clean it out a little.  that requires a general anesthesia.  well, I've heard of a few people that have endured that without sedation or general anesthesia thanks to a particularly uncaring surgeon.  my motto has always been.... "knock me out and wake me up when it's over".

actually, I'm trying to schedule an MRI of my pelvis to look for possible abscess/fistula development....... again.