Fistula - Types And Treatments
An improper connection between organs or blood vessels and other structures is called a fistula. Injuries and surgeries are common causes of fistulas. A fistula may also develop because of an infection or inflammation.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuJan 25, 202313.3K Shares405.7K Views
Injuries and surgeries are common causes of fistulas. A fistula may also develop because of an infection or inflammation.
It is called an enterocutaneous fistula when a connection is made between the digestive tract and the skin.
The development of lesions and the subsequent formation of a tunnel through the tissues are signs of a worsening inflammatory response within the body.
What Is A Fistula?
A fistula is an irregular tube-like connection that develops between two organs or vessels which are walled with epithelial cells. Fistulas can be found in the digestive tract, urinary tract, and genitourinary tract.
Artificial fistulas can also be surgically constructed for the purposes of therapy. Fistulas are typically the outcome of a medical condition, but they can also be formed artificially.
Examples of fistulas that occur naturally include those that form between the end of the stomach and the skin close to the anus (also known as an anal fistula), as well as the ones that develop between the intestine and the vagina (enterovaginal fistula). It is also possible for a fistula to develop between the rectum and the vagina; this type of fistula is referred to as a rectovaginal fistula.
Even though fistulas are typically the result of an accident or surgical procedure, they are also capable of developing after severe inflammation has been brought on by an infection. Disorders such as Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis are cases of inflammatory bowel diseases that can lead to the formation of fistulas between loops of the intestine. Fistulas can also be caused by other conditions.
When a person requires renal dialysis, an artificial fistula, known as an arteriovenous fistula, may be established between an artery and a vein. An injury is another potential cause of an arteriovenous fistula in a patient.
What is Anal Fistula? Symptoms & Best Treatment of Anal Fistula in Delhi NCR
Anal Fistula
It is possible for a person to experience bleeding, pain, and discharge whenever they pass stools if a fistula has formed between the anal canal and the skin around the anus. In addition to swelling, pain, and redness around the anus, more symptoms of an anal fistula are constipationand fever.
After a patient undergoes surgery to extract an anal abscess, there is a possibility that the patient will develop a fistula. In certain circumstances, the fistula causes persistent drainage, while in other cases, recurring anal abscesses could form if the outside of the channel opening seals. This can happen if the fistula is not treated properly.
In most circumstances, an anal fistula can be diagnosed based on the results of a digital rectal examination; however, additional testing may be necessary in other instances. Inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, rectal cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases are some of the conditions that may be screened for using these supplementary diagnostic procedures.
Surgical intervention is the only option for treating an anal fistula. Depending on the location of the fistula, there is a wide range of alternative surgical treatments that can be performed; some of these techniques are discussed below.
Advancement Flap
In cases with complex fistula or a high risk of incontinence, a portion of tissue is excised from the rectum or skin near the anus to create what is known as an advancement flap. This procedure is performed in order to repair the fistula. After the fistula tract has been surgically removed, the flap will be sewn over the area that formerly housed the fistula entrance.
Fistultomy
In the vast majority of fistula instances, this particular operation is carried out. The surgeon makes a cut down the length of the fistula in order to access its contents, which are then flushed out. Following one or two months, the surgical wound will have healed.
Fibrin Glue
This treatment does not entail surgery and consists of injecting glue into the fistula in order to close it off and seal the tract. After that, stitches are used to close up the opening. In spite of the fact that the method is uncomplicated and risk-free, its performance over the long term is dismal. After 16 months, the initial success rate of 77% has dropped to somewhere around 15%.
Vaginal Fistula
It is possible for a fistula to develop between the vagina and another part of the body, such as the colon (which is known as a colonovaginal fistula), the rectum (which is known as a rectovaginal fistula), the small intestine (which is known as an enterovaginal fistula), or the bladder (vesicovaginal fistula). It is possible for the fistula to develop as a consequence of trauma, surgical intervention, infection, or radiotherapy.
A pelvic exam, a medical history, and the existence of risk factors like pelvic radiation or recent pelvic surgery are typically used to diagnosis a vaginal fistula. Other times, a vaginal fistula is diagnosed based only on the patient's symptoms. Tests, such as cystoscopy, a dye test, a fistulogram, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, could also be conducted.
Surgery is the typical course of treatment for vaginal fistulas; however, there are certain nonsurgical treatment alternatives that can occasionally be successful. For patients who have a basic rectovaginal fistula, for instance, the treatment may consist of nothing more than making dietary adjustments and taking fiber supplements in order to improve the volume of the patient's stool. When surgery is required, it can either be conducted through the vaginal opening or the abdominal opening, depending on where the fistula is located.
What is obstetric fistula?
Arteriovenous Fistula
When an irregular channel forms between an artery and a vein, blood rushes directly into the vein from the artery, skipping the capillaries in between. This condition is known as capillary bypass. This kind of fistula might be present from birth or it can develop at a later time.
The congenital type of arteriovenous fistulas is uncommon, but the acquired form can be brought on by damage to a vein and an artery that are next to one another. In most cases, the injury is the result of a penetrating wound, such as the kind that can be caused by a gunshot or a knife attack.
In order to perform renal dialysis, it is required to puncture a vein at the beginning of each treatment session. If this is done too frequently, the vein may become irritated, and the blood within it may clot.
Because this can result in the vein becoming scarred and damaged, surgeons will occasionally purposefully develop an arteriovenous fistula in order to enlarge the vein, making it simpler for the needle to be inserted and increasing the pace at which blood can flow through the vein. Because of the increased blood flow, clotting is less likely to occur.
Laser therapy can be used to eradicate congenital arteriovenous fistulas that are modest in size reasonably quickly. However, fistulas that occur close to the brain, eye, or other essential body organs can be hard to treat.
After a diagnosis, surgical treatment is initiated as quickly as possible for acquired forms. A radiopaque dye that is visible on an X-ray may be administered into the patient in advance of surgery in order to emphasize the fistula (a process called angiography).
People Also Ask
What Is The Cause Of Fistula?
A fistula is an irregular connection between two sections of the body, such as a blood vessel and another structure. Fistulas can also form between organs. The development of a fistula is typically the consequence of an injury or surgical procedure. Infection or inflammation are two other potential triggers for the development of a fistula.
What Are The Symptoms Of Fistula?
- Irritation of the skin close to the anus.
- A stinging ache that is present all the time and may be made worse when you sit down, move around, cough, or poop.
- A putrid discharge coming from the area close to your anus.
- Pus or blood coming out of your poo.
- If you also have an abscess, you will have swelling and redness around your anus, as well as a high temperature.
What Does Fistula Look Like?
A hole in the skin that is located around the anus. A crimson and inflamed region all around the tunnel's entrance. Pus, blood, or excrement oozing out the aperture of the tunnel.
Conclusion
In a year, between 50,000 and 100,000 new cases of fistulas are reported, according to the World HealthOrganization (WHO). Due to a lack of obstetric care, obstetric fistulas are frequently left untreated in regions such as Africa.
The best form of care is preventative. Fistulas can be prevented and healthy tissue can be preserved by sticking to a healthy diet. Healing of a fistula is enhanced when the patient refrains from smoking.
Suleman Shah
Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences.
Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA).
Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju
Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality.
Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence.
Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
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