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A Fistula Is a Hole That Should Not Have Been There

A diagram of a fistula used by a company in Berlin, which sponsors fistula surgeries in Africa. In Congo, sexual violence or rape leaves its victims not only psychologically scarred, but also gives them traumatic fistula.

A Fistula Is a Hole That Should Not Have Been There

A fistula is a hole that should not have been there. The human body, which has suffered from injury or has undergone childbirth or surgery, might be afflicted with a fistula. Infection or inflammation may also lead to fistulas. A fistula is an abnormal connection, hole, opening, tube, or tunnel between an intestine, an organ, or a vessel, and another part or structure of the human body, such as the skin. Over two million people worldwide suffer from fistula, according to The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Types of Fistula

There are four types of fistula. A blind fistula opens on one end alone, but links with two body parts or structures; the complete type of fistula opens internally or within the body and emerges out an organ or body part towards the skin; the horseshoe fistula goes around the rectum before linking itself to the anus and sprouting upon the skin surface; and the last type of fistula, the incomplete fistula is a tunnel originating from the skin that does not merge with any of the body’s part or structure.

Where Might a Fistula Occur

A fistula may occur between an artery and a vein, called arteriovenous fistula; the bile ducts and the skin (biliary fistula); the cervix (cervical fistula); in the neck; the internal skull space and a nasal sinus (craniosinus fistula); the vagina and the bowel (enterovaginal fistula); the stomach towards the skin surface (gastric fistula); the peritoneal cavity and the uterus (metroperitoneal fistula); the gut and the navel (umbilical fistula; and wherein one of the lungs, the pulmonary artery, and the pulmonary vein merge together, the type of fistula there is, is called pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. When stool is passed through a hole or opening that is not the anus, the type of fistula that occurs, is called an anal or fecal fistula.

Fistula Symptoms and Diagnosis

Fistula treatments depend on its location and the degree of severity of its symptoms. Fistula sufferers experience fever, itching, pain, a general unwell feeling, and tenderness. These symptoms could progress to an abscess, once a fistula seals, which is a sign of infection. To determine first if a person has a fistula, barium enema, colonoscopy, fistulogram, sigmoidoscopy, or an upper endoscopy may be ordered by a doctor or physician. In a fistulogram, particularly, a contrast material or dye is injected into the fistula to have better visibility of its X-Ray scans. The dye is either inserted into the rectum, in the case of an anal or fecal fistula, or into the hole or opening of a fistula on the skin surface, using a small tube.

Fistula Treatments

A doctor or a physician may prescribe an antibiotic (Flagyl), an immunosuppressant like 6-MP, or a TNF-inhibitor, such as Remicade. Enteral diets (diets in the form of liquid) may be ordered, to facilitate fistula closure or healing, since there would likely be fewer stools that will pass into the anus out the body. Fistulas that do not respond to medical or pharmacological treatment warrant surgical intervention. A fistula that resides in a healthy part of the body will simply be taken out or removed without touching any part within its perimeter. On the other hand, a fistula located in a diseased part of the body, such as in the intestine, will need a resection, which could temporarily result to an ileostomy. An ileostomy is done to direct the feces or stool to it, away from the intestines, giving the operated part or structure with a fistula time to heal and recover.

References:

http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/relatedconditions/a/fistula.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002365.htm

December 16, 2010 - Posted by rbenjaminnoah | Health, New, Ready | A Fistula Is a Hole That Should Not Have Been There, Fistula, Fistula Symptoms and Diagnosis, Fistula Treatments, Types of Fistula, Where Might a Fistula Occur