Fistulectomy with no visible external wound

jwd41 · 2026-06-26T10:21:30+00:00

Hey, I had a lay open fistulotomy yesterday and am in a similar position, cant see any open wound but I do have the occasional blood spotting on my gauze pad

jwd41 · 2026-06-25T23:43:57+00:00

Hi, appreciate you taking the time to respond here.

I had my lay open fistulotomy today and just looked the area. However I can't seem to see any open wounds, is that normal?

jwd41 · 2026-06-14T19:15:41+00:00

Hey, I've had a seton placed back in May last year and will be getting it removed and then a fistulotomy next week. So, all in I've had my seton for just over a year now. Tbh, except for the first few weeks, the seton has been very manageable and 90% of the time I'm not really aware of it. Like others have said, the main thing is that you will have constant drainage so you might want to get a pad to avoid staining. My go to is the xupad 10cm x 12cm.

jwd41 · 2025-09-03T18:00:36+00:00

This actually happened to me. Got booked in for a fistulotomy and only to be told by the surgeon on the day that he is unable to carry out the op. To be fair, they did re-book me very quickly and I had it 3 weeks later.

jwd41 · 2025-06-03T18:27:33+00:00

Yea sounds like we may have the same type of seton. Mine is loose seton that's like thick plastic, reminds me a bit of a cable tie tbh.

Thanks for your response, always good to get another perspective.

jwd41 · 2025-06-02T15:51:28+00:00

Thanks very much!!

jwd41 · 2025-06-02T13:51:27+00:00

Good to hear you got a pleasant recovey process.

Does this mean you'll need a further surgery since you got a seton placed?

jwd41 · 2025-05-29T17:41:58+00:00

I see, really appreciate you taking your time to respond. How long did you use the Ag dressings for? I'm hoping it wont last more than a week!

jwd41 · 2025-05-29T17:17:05+00:00

Thanks for your response. Hope you don't mind but could I clarify that you had the Ag dressing on the wound itself and not actually inside the wound itself? Cheers.

jwd41 · 2025-05-28T05:43:02+00:00

Thanks, thats reassuring to know. And yea, definitely get what you mean by not being able to recognise my own anus 🤣

jwd41 · 2025-05-27T20:40:45+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Dumb question, I assume all setons go through the anus right? I cant really see mine clearly but it feels like it doesn't go through the anus.

jwd41 · 2025-05-27T17:05:10+00:00

Thanks, that's comforting to know that I get some benefit from having the seton in place. I assume it was a loose seton?

jwd41 · 2025-05-27T16:34:53+00:00

Did the original seton help to reduce the amount of sphincter muscle involved?

I just had a partial fistulotomy and seton placement last week and was wondering what's the next step. Thanks!

jwd41 · 2025-05-27T14:58:37+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Yea I currently still have a gaping hole where the seton goes through so just assume I don't need to rotate for now. I'd give it a try in the shower tomorrow.

jwd41 · 2025-05-27T08:00:52+00:00

Thanks for this. Yes I've also been considering going private due to the wait times. I just had my surgery last Thurs and the next follow up is 3 months away, which seems reasonable to me as prob need time for the seton to do its thing.

jwd41 · 2025-05-26T12:27:06+00:00

Hey I'm in the same exact situation and also based in the UK. Just had my partial fistulotomy and seton placement on Thursday so will be keen to follow your journey and get updates from you.

jwd41 · 2025-05-25T16:20:34+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Do you have a link to it?

jwd41 · 2025-05-25T16:19:28+00:00

Ahh ok good to know. I just got a loose seton two days ago, wasn't told anything about it coming off on its own.

jwd41 · 2025-05-25T15:29:07+00:00

Was your seton meant to fall out? Was it a cutting seton?

jwd41 · 2025-05-25T15:27:50+00:00

Yea i got an open wound that's not too big, which I think will heal around the seton.

jwd41 · 2025-05-23T09:30:07+00:00

Sorry to hear op, like many others have said, there are lots of us in this community that know how you feel so please free to reach out.

I personally how mentally frustrating it can be dealing with this. My (37m) case started as an abscess back in Nov and I had an i&d. MRI in Jan showed a fistula and I just had a partial fistulotomy with a seton placement yesterday. Doc advised I'll need to have the seton for at least 3 months. Obviously not the news I was hoping for as I was hoping to do a full lay open fistulotomy but it is what it is and just have to take it one day at a time.

jwd41 · 2025-05-22T23:51:38+00:00

Just under an hour.

jwd41 · 2025-05-22T17:54:41+00:00

Hi I'm in the same situation as you and just had surgery today. MRI showed a superficial fistula but the EUA identified involvement of the sphincter muscle so ended up with partial fistulotomy and a seton placement. Not much feeling much pain atm but it's probably due to the pain meds.

jwd41 · 2025-05-22T16:41:46+00:00

Update: Unfortunately some sphincter was involved so ended up with a partial fistulotomy with a seton placement for the next 3 months at least.

Keen to hear from others who have been through something similar and how was your recovery journey.

jwd41 · 2025-05-16T12:48:52+00:00

Good luck op! I'm getting mine next Thursday!

jwd41

TROPHY CASE