Fistula
Fistula is defined as an abnormal tube connecting two organs or two blood vessels. It is usually formed between the intestine and the skin that is located next to the anus or between the intestine and the vagina. It may also be formed between the rectum and the vagina, as well as elsewhere.
Although fistula is a condition, it is sometimes surgically created as a treatment method, usually to connect artery and vein in dialysis patients. There is the so-called pilonidal cyst, which is usually a mass containing hair in an area close to the anus.
Causes of fistula
In most cases, the person is infected with fistula after undergoing surgery or exposure to an injury, but there are other reasons for it, including:
- Infection of cases of enteritis, including: Crohn’s disease, which causes fistula between the stomach and intestines or between the intestine and the skin or between the rectum and the anus.
- After a process, a fistula may be formed between the bile duct and the liver or intestine.
- Infections that lead to severe inflammatory symptoms.
- Weight gain and obesity.
- The affected area is exposed to constant irritation.
- There is a family history of the disease.
- Frequent sitting without movement.
- There is a deep sonic incision.
- Exposure to radiation therapy in the genital area, it may lead to the formation of fistula between the vagina and bladder.
Symptoms of fistula
Symptoms of fistula depend on its place. For example, the symptoms of fistula include the following:
- Skin irritation around the anus, swelling, redness and pain when touching.
- Constipation or pain at discharge.
- Excretion of pus or blood.
- Pain, especially when sitting.
- High temperatures.
Vaginal fistula is usually painless but causes irritation in the genital area, and its symptoms are based on its location. For example, symptoms of fistula, which occurs between the rectum and vagina or between the colon and vagina or between the small intestine and vagina produce foul odors or exit The fistula, which is located between the urinary system and the vagina, is a symptom of fluid leakage from the vagina. The hair follicle is usually symptomless at first, then symptoms appear. Symptoms of the hair bag include increased pain and swelling with inflammation in the pelvic area , It also accompanies the release of the pus, which alleviates symptoms as it removes pressure from the bag.
How is the fistula?
The fistula is treated based on where it is located as follows:
Anal fistula operations
Anal fistula is treated surgically in most cases. The doctor measures both the length and depth of the fistula, where the treatment is followed by the following methods
- Fistula fistula : Which aims to help treat fistula from the inside out and turn it into an open corridor, by opening the muscles and skin encapsulated.
- Cure therapy (seton) : A fine thread passed from the narrow holes in order to expand it; this thread is placed for discharge for at least 6 weeks, and then undergo a reconstructive surgery.
Vaginal fistula operations
Vaginal fistula is usually treated through surgery, but attention must be paid to the following:
- Observe if the tissue is intact or that you should wait for the procedure for some time to heal.
- The doctor should not perform this procedure for intestinal infections if he is in a state of frenzy.
- You may need to take care of the wound or use the medication before undergoing surgery.
- A rectal vaginal fistula may first cause a gap in the colon.
- The need to follow the infected herself to attention and seek the doctor in the event of any sign of the occurrence of inflammation, including the rise in temperature.
Hair bag operations
If surgery is needed, there are many options for healing:
- Primary eradication and closure: Removing the cutaneous part of the fistula. This is accomplished by cutting an elliptical part from the beginning and end of the sachet, and then connecting them to the pole.
- Extensive eradication and healing through secondary intent: This process is done by removing the sac and with a large part of the surrounding skin. In this process, the wound is not sewn, but it is left to heal on its own, and it takes several weeks.
- Plastic surgery technique: If the sac is too much or too severe, then it may be advisable to remove it through plastic surgery.
The surgery chosen for the patient depends on the length of the bag as well as its size, in addition to the patient’s condition and whether the appearance of the bag is repeated or not. Therefore, the doctor should take sufficient information from the patient through a clinical examination and ask questions to be able to choose the surgery If there is no symptoms of the capillary bag, then the doctor may advise that the patient should not be exposed to surgery, so that he should keep the area clean and free of hair.