What is Fistula Surgery?

Comprehensive Guide to Fistula Surgery

The primary objective of Fistula surgery is to fix abnormal connections called fistulas between different body parts and organs. Medical procedures close abnormal connections while simultaneously easing symptomatology and inhibiting complications from developing. The particular surgical technique depends on where the fistula exists, its size, and its complexity.

Fistula repair procedures typically combine the ablation of abnormal tissue tracts with the closure of organ openings to achieve successful healing outcomes that stop new fistulas from forming. Various treatment approaches are applied, including direct tissue, flap formation, and specialized drainage, when performing surgical procedures for particular cases.

Let’s explore the different types of fistula surgeries, their procedures, and the postoperative care that patients should take after undergoing such treatments.

What are the Different Types of Fistula Surgery?

Surgeons apply diverse surgical procedures according to the fistula's exact type, position, and criticality. Surgical elimination of the fistula focuses on protecting normal bodily functions and avoiding complications.

Check out the various types of fistula surgery below:

Fistulotomy

The surgeon completes this standard anal fistula procedure by opening the fistula tract so it can heal by natural processes from within.

Seton Placement

When dealing with complex fistulas, doctors insert a surgical thread (seton) to manage pus drainage and improve healing as a preliminary step before final corrective surgical procedures.

Endorectal Advancement Flap

A flap of tissue from the rectal wall covers the fistula repair site while sparing more sphincter muscle from being cut.

LIFT (Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract)

The technique targets advanced or deep fistulas by providing access to the fistula between sphincter muscles while keeping these muscles untouched.

Other Techniques

Unique treatments such as glues, plugs and clips serve to close the fistula during specific cases.

What to Expect During A Fistula Surgery?

Medical operations for treating fistulas differ based on where the abnormal connections are located and their level of complexity. The procedures for surgically treating different

types of fistula follow individual treatment requirements that consider medical anaesthetics and recovery phases.

Fistulotomy

Anal fistula surgeries usually require between 15 to 30 minutes for completion. A patient with small fistulas can usually have local anaesthesia, yet patients who need surgery for complex fistulas must receive general anaesthesia.

The surgeon creates a well-detailed cut to gain complete access to the fistula tract while it heals within its interior. This surgical method helps treat the abnormal opening by removing it and enabling regular tissue repair.

Seton Placement

The procedure of seton placement takes 30 minutes, but its time can be extended based on the case complexity. It requires general anaesthesia for execution. After the incision, the surgeon places a surgical loop inside the fistula track and secures the loop using a light dressing. The doctor may allow same-day hospital discharge for patients recovering well from the procedure.

The procedure demands several stages because surgeons may need to change or reinstate the seton during the recovery period. Postoperative surgical drainage from the fistula will persist for several weeks after completing the surgical procedures.

Colovesical Fistula Surgery

The surgical treatment for fistulas connecting the bladder and the sigmoid colon requires a sigmoid colectomy followed by segmental removal of the affected colon portions. During surgery, the medical professional fully handles the fistula before repairing both bladder and colon walls.

Treating colovesical fistulas is available as open surgery with one big incision or laparoscopic surgery using multiple small incisions. The more complex nature of the procedure leads to an average 8-day hospital stay, which is characteristic of this surgical method.

What are the precautions to take after fistula surgery?

Successful healing and complication prevention requires proper postoperative care following fistula surgery. Some of them are:

• Consuming a diet high in fibre while remaining well-hydrated helps patients generate softer stools, minimizing the strain that endangers the surgical area.
• The surgical area requires regular cleaning with recommended medical methods and strict adherence to imposed activity limitations.
• Recovery requires patients to use urinary catheters until their bladder heals sufficiently.
• During the recovery period, physicians usually recommend stool softeners to help patients avoid discomfort during bowel movements.
• Patients should never miss any follow-up appointments with their doctor and must inform their care team immediately whenever they experience symptoms like abnormal pain, bleeding, fever, or discharge.

Medical professionals generally customize recovery plans for each patient by considering the particular surgical procedure and personal healing needs. Now, based on the type of treatment required and its complexity, fistula surgery can be pretty expensive.

In this regard, having a health insurance policy from Star Health can ensure financial coverage along with easy access to quality healthcare services.

Choose Star Health and get coverage for a wide variety of daycare procedures!