How is colon fistula treated?

Treatments may include:

1. replenishing your fluids.
2. correcting your blood serum electrolytes.
3. normalizing an acid and base imbalance.
4. reducing the fluid output from your fistula.
5. controlling infection and guarding against sepsis.
6. protecting your skin and providing ongoing wound care.

Can a colon fistula heal on its own?

Fistula tracts must be treated because they will not heal on their own. There is a risk of developing cancer in the fistula tract if left untreated for a long period of time. Most fistulas are simple to treat.

How serious is a colon fistula?

A person with a gastrointestinal fistula can become very ill and may develop a condition known as sepsis. This is where a person’s body attacks itself as a reaction to a severe infection. Sepsis causes a range of symptoms, such as low blood pressure, high fever, high heart rate, and organ failure.

What is a colonic fistula?

A colonic fistula is an abnormal tunnel from the colon to the surface of the skin or to an internal organ, such as the bladder, small intestine, or vagina. An anorectal fistula is an abnormal tunnel from the anus or rectum to the surface of the skin around the anus.

What does fistula pain feel like?

Symptoms of an anal fistula skin irritation around the anus. a constant, throbbing pain that may be worse when you sit down, move around, poo or cough. smelly discharge from near your anus. passing pus or blood when you poo.

Can u live with a fistula?

Although fistulas are associated with IBD, they can occur several years before the condition is diagnosed. While rarely life-threatening, fistulas can decrease people’s quality of life and often need combined medical and surgical treatment.

Which is better for a fistula in the colon?

In such cases, ileostomy is preferred to transverse colostomy to avoid distal bowel ischemia. Colovesical fistulas rarely heal without surgery and require resection of involved colon in a one-stage procedure.

What are the nutritional goals of fistula management?

Nutritional support is a critical element of effective fistula management; the goals of nutritional management are to maintain positive nitrogen balance (usually through TPN), maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa (usually through low-volume enteral intake), and minimize fistula output (usually through reduced oral/enteral intake).

What to do with a low output fistula?

Low-output fistula often heal while the patient continues to tolerate enteral feeding. With local infection, proximal diversion of the fecal stream may be indicated. In such cases, ileostomy is preferred to transverse colostomy to avoid distal bowel ischemia.

How are fistulas treated in the United States?

Methods: Patients with colovaginal fistulas treated by 2 senior surgeons between January 1, 1990, and June 31, 2011, were identified. A retrospective chart review was then performed to determine presenting characteristics and history, evaluation for the fistulas, and treatment outcomes.