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

[Giblett]

Yes, I am seeing a colorectal surgeon.  The best in my area. sorry about your daughter.  I know they can hurt. i will know more tomorrow about my 5th surgery. My doctor thinks that I got this from a spider bite on my rear while painting my home. I have  been dealing with this for 6 months. And don't you know it is getting old. Just want my life back.

[midsummer]

I have suffered from anal fissures for 7 years. At the last count I had 4.
I had an anal stretch initially but this did not work and was then admitted for a sphincterotomy. When I was given the full version of the operation and the risks I decided at the last moment not to have it. I have other health issues and did not want to end up with an incontinence problem as well.
I was given the 0.2% ointment which was excellent but always had problems when I went to collect the presciption as it had been made out as 2% every time so I gave up in the end.
I do need to get the problem sorted out and would consider Botox as an option.
I was told by the Consultant that the more fissures you have the tighter the muscle becomes as the brain sees this as a way of protecting the area from more damage.....unfortunatley then the straining gets worse and then more fissures......so a no win situation.
You all have my sympathy I know what you are going through.

[Giblett]

An update from my doctors appt.  He found some infection, not as much as last Friday.  He wants to see me on Thursday and he put me on flagyl.  If I am not better by then, I will have surgery for a Seton placement under IV sedation.  Hopefully, it will be an out patient.  Wish me luck for Thursday.  I will let you know.
Thanks

[midsummer]

Good luck and let us know what exactly happens and how you get on.

[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.

[Giblett]

Could you please give me more details on this seton placement. I did not know there were needles involved, or did you do this in his office.  I will be put under I.V. anesthesia as an outpatient. Geez, needles. He said I had to go back once a week after it is placed to tighten it.  What is involved in that? He talked to me about the glue.  He said it doesn't work for most people. Seems like I am running out of options here if the seton doesn't work. My last resort is a Fistulectomy and I don't want that yet. The risk of being incontinent is my fear. It scares me to know that I could soil my pants and not know it. I am too active for this.  I am a bad patient because I am a nurse and I expect miracles.  you do not know how much "patience" I have learned with this problem. And this is the word my doctor uses. Patience. He must have made a fortune just on my rearend. Well, I go tomorrow for a check up to see if the flap finally worked.  If not, I will go Friday for my surgery for the Seton. I will be glad when I can finally get on with my life. Please let me know about the Seton thing. Thanks so much!