UOAA Discussion Board

BillGK wrote: 2019-02-23 23:05:05 I didn't know that there were options for treatment other than surgery.

Initial conversation with a colonrectal surgeon has me on a hefty dose of antibiotics. I will have a more detailed MRI in another week (a contrast will be infused into the rectal cuff to follow the fistula’s tunneling).

A possible option will be to debried the fistula tunnel and then fill the tunnel with a medical grade “glue.”

Having the rectal cuff and sphincters excised is not something that any of my medical providers are wanting to pursue. It would be the logical course if I were healthier. But that is not the case. It is my broad endocrine dysfunction and corticosteroid dependency that is the concern. A less invasive approach will be best for me.

But I will say that a fistula is something totally new to me. I can sadly relate to people with Chron’s and ongoing fistulas. The constant serous drainage is emotionally taxing to deal with.

Onward . . . I guess?
Karen

That sounds pretty good, actually. If they could successfully plug it at the outlet it would really improve your quality of life(!) without surgery. Is this something that is commonly done or would it be a one-off, best-effort sort of thing? Would it last a while?