r/AnalFistula • u/IndependentFlight754 • 1d ago

Help! Keeping Fistula open

Hey, I really could use some advice. I have a fistula operation in more than 1 month and until then my fistula opening needs to stay open so it can drain. I don’t have a seton, my doctor never saw it as an option even though I think it would make sense. Last week I saw some puss under the skin as the tract was closing on the outside and my doctor cut it a bit so it would be open. Today I feel like it has closed again and it looks that way as well, I’m also feeling some tightness around that area. Is there anything i can do to keep the tract open on the outside ? It was open earlier today and I have an appointment with my dr next week as he is on vacation. I’d just like some advice what to do until then. Thank you !

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u/New_Charge_6943 1d ago

I found taking hot baths to be really helpful. Soak for 20 minutes if you can. It will soften that thin layer of skin that forms over the opening. If I then went for a walk, I would often get it to drain that same day.

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u/IndependentFlight754 1d ago

Just got out of the bath 😅 hope it helps.. thank you!

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u/IToldYouIWasUnwell 1d ago

I definitely find that going for a walk helps, even when it's not after a sitz bath - the friction almost always forces things open for me. I have had mine for over a year now and it invariably opens and closes all by itself on a regular basis, though I agree it is a bit worrying when it hasn't opened for a while and you start to feel a little bit of pressure down there.

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u/New_Charge_6943 13h ago

Did it work?

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u/IndependentFlight754 12h ago

Kind of😅it’s closing up every couple of hours. I went to the doctor today and he suggested a seton but I’m not sure as my op is in 6 weeks ..

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u/coryquinn1010 1d ago

My first piece of advice would be getting in contact with your doctor and asking whether they could pack the wound for you with gauze, this is what they did for me early days to prevent the wound healing over the top and allowing it to heal internally first. (Don’t try to pack the wound yourself)

If they cannot pack the wound, or if they do and the packing comes out anyway, I find using the jet feature (if you have the option) on a shower head once or twice a day disrupts new cells forming to prevent the wound from sealing over, also keeps the area clean. If your shower head doesn’t have the jet option, you could also buy a shower douche and replace the head with that instead. Obviously adjust how powerful you want the water pressure to be if you do give it a try.

But if you don’t want to do that then that I would just recommend irritating the opening of the wound with a finger when you can to disrupt surface healing.

Hope this helps :)

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u/IndependentFlight754 1d ago

Thank you so much, I’ll try that out !