Mucous Fistula problems
David Judd
for wound, I am now having more probs with fistula. I t is now a slightly
raised area the size of my thumbnail. It is red, very sore, and produces a
slight amount of pus and blood onto the dressing. I know some produce much
more than this, so I am lucky. But it is so sore and it postioned in the
crease when I am sitting/ leaning down. The plaster digs in more at this
point an it stings.
Will it get better? My district nurse says it has granulated and might need
silver nitrate stick. My stoma nurse disagrees!
Mark Barber
think that directing my hate at that helped me accept my stoma.
Mark
"David Judd" <david...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
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Dean Dancey
This sounds much like what I have. Is there anyone who could explain
exactly what a Mucous Fistula is, what it looks like and HOW THE HECK TO
MAKE IT GO AWAY?? please?? ;-Deano
Mark Barber
> This sounds much like what I have. Is there anyone who could explain
> exactly what a Mucous Fistula is, what it looks like and HOW THE HECK TO
> MAKE IT GO AWAY?? please?? ;-Deano
Ok here goes, a Mucous Fistula is a Fistula (Latin for opening) to release
Mucous (Germs and dis-charge). That probably didn't help much, but that's
how it gets it's name. What the surgeon does to form one is as follows:
The top end of the Rectum, that would normally connect to the bottom part of
your colon is pulled out through your abdomen, now my surgeon then clamped
it and left the very end to die and fall off whilst the rest of it attached
itself to my skin. Some surgeon stitch it to your skin (normally to the
section where they cut you open to remove the colon). This then looks
similar to a second belly button.
So what is it's function? Discharge from a diseased rectum has a pressure
valve escape point to come out through the Mucous Fistula as well as through
the Anus, this will enable the rectum to heal quicker and possible allow the
surgeon to use it to connect the illium to at a later date, to get rid of
the stoma and return the patient to almost normal toilet patterns. The fact
that the rectum end is connected to the skin also makes it easier to find,
otherwise it would be dropped back into the body post op and need a fishing
trip at the follow up surgery.
Does the fact that I have a Mucous Fistula then mean I will be able to have
a reversal operation? Possibly, but not definitely. In my case my rectum was
just far to badly diseased and had to come out, I was still offered the
option of trying for an internal pouch procedure but turned it down as the
chances of success were not considered high due to previous complications.
So if the rectum is badly diseased, why not just remove it at the same time
as taking the colon out? In my case it was not considered I would survive
the surgery to remove my colon, so to extend the surgery and remove the
rectum as well would further increase the risk, that is why the rectum was
left in and removed 12 months later when I was much stronger and likely to
survive major surgery, in some cases it is left in to help with the reversal
operation as already mentioned.
Will it heal over? This depends on the amount of dis-charge, mine was almost
healed over at the 12 months stage when I went back in to have it removed.
So if it is healed why have it removed? If the rectum can not be used for
reversal surgery, the likelihood is that it is also diseased with either
U.C. or Chroans. A patient with severe U.C. left unoperated (i.e. the rectum
or colon left in place) for a period of 12 years or more is almost certain
to have it develop into Cancer. So if the rectal stump is of no use, the
best option is then to have it removed as soon as you are fit for surgery to
save the problems later in life
Hope that all helps
Mark
David Judd
mentioned to me before op.
I knew nothing of it for 1st week after op. Then brown liquid began to leak
through wound and they removed 4 staples to help it escape. Apparently my
surgeon doesn't bring fistula to surface. It is stitched in one layer below.
None of the nurses in hospital knew it was a fistula and it was treated like
an infected wound and filled with "caltastat" and covered over. The same
happened at home with district nurses. Then I visited outpatients at hosp
and stoma nurse explained what it was and what it might do!
I like to be informed!!!!
I'm also interested in other people experience of continuing rectal
bleeding, so time for another posting.
Dave Judd. Cardiff UK
Dean Dancey
ileostomy that I have does not, as far as I have been told, include a
mucous fistula. The medical dictionary that I have describes a fisula
as an abnormal opening from an organ to the outside. But, with ostomies,
the openings that are created are NOT abnormal, as they are part of the
ostomy itself.
With a loop ileo, such as I have, the distal opening that remains is
left there to allow mucous to drain from the remaining rectal stump.
I do understand that many people in the medical field and even the
ostomates themselves are not aware of how to deal with the secondary
opening. As they do provide drainage, when the appliance is positioned,
it should allow the secondary (lower opening) to also drain into the
pouch along with the main stoma itself.
Sorry to be answering my own question, but I found a few medical books
that I wanted to clairify some earlier responses. There seemed to be
some confusion between a fistual which is NOT supposed to be there, and
a distal opening in a loop ileo. A fistula is an injury, and NOT part of
a contructed loop ileostomy. ;-Deano
David Judd
stoma bag does not cover it. Yes it is the other end of my rectum, sowed to
the front of me so it doesn't get lost! Apparently there are special bags
made to cover it and collect mucous..
"Dean Dancey" <dt...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:3C864C9C...@sympatico.ca...
Dean Dancey
Where is your stoma located in relation to this "fistula"?? Do you have
an ileostomy or a colostomy?? I have a loop ileostomy, and I have never
seen or hear of one with a distal opening (your fistula) located away
from the ostomy site. It is only logical to have both in the same
location so as to require only one appliance.
As I said, all information that I have read indicates that a "fistula"
is NOT a result of a surgical procedure. They are ulcerations from an
organ that break through the skin. What you are describing is an ostomy
in one shape or another. Why would you have only one end of a loop
ostomy anyway??? Curiouser and curiouser... ;-Deano
David Judd
how often they change the bandage or dressing . Also they mention what
sort of dressing they use.
I guess my stoma is in an average place. 2 inches below belly button and 2
inches to my right ( as I look down at it !)
So the flange of my bag is just far enough away not to bother the fistula.
I have an ileostomy and expect to have rectum removed next year, or sooner
if it doesn't settle down!
Bill Hayles
<david...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>I guess my stoma is in an average place. 2 inches below belly button and 2
>inches to my right ( as I look down at it !)
I wish mine were there. It's exactly level with my belly button
(and 2 inches to the right), just on the biggest part of my ample
belly.
--
Bill
David Judd
Its so hard with pants and trousers isn't it. Especially if you don't want
to look like an old man. 6 weeks after op, 37 years old, and I'm wearing
braces !!!!
Mark Barber
before. I was in high dependency unit for 3 days before going onto a normal
ward where I was awake enough to discover my bag and fistula, I never
understood what my mucous fistula was for weeks, probably the drugs did not
help me see things clearly
MARK (also uk)
"David Judd" <david...@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
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Mark Barber
or by surgical means
"Dean Dancey" <dt...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
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Jim Woodworth
I have diverticulosis which resulted in me getting a colon
resection. The sutures in the colon leaked necessitating this
colostomy.
I have had a colostomy for a mere 5 wks. My surgeon and I hope
to reverse it in roughly 2 months.
Somewhere in this thread, someone mentioned getting a fistula
to keep something from getting lost. Is there the possibility
of the unused colon floating around in me and getting "lost"?
Am I supposed to have one? Maybe I have it don't know it.
And I thought Emily's website scared me.
Probably just overreacting,
Jim Woodworth
Sean
<snip />
> Where is your stoma located in relation to this "fistula"?? Do you have
> an ileostomy or a colostomy?? I have a loop ileostomy, and I have never
> seen or hear of one with a distal opening (your fistula) located away
> from the ostomy site. It is only logical to have both in the same
> location so as to require only one appliance.
My stoma is on the left hand side of my body and my mucous fistula is on
the opposite side of the body
Bill Hayles
I used to wear them, but I wear the trousers from Chums that have an
extra high waist (which almost comes up to my chest), and then
disguise them either by wearing my shirt over my trousers or wearing
a long jumper.
I need a belt as to give sufficient clearance round my stoma I buy a
bigger waist size than I need.
Women have it easy, being able to wear dresses!
>
--
Bill
Dean Dancey
>
> Fistula = opening regardless of how it occurs either through skin breakage
> or by surgical means
>
fistula - an abnormal communication between two hollow organs, or
between a hollow organ and the exterior. Many fistulas are due to
infection or injury.
That being said, I can't, for the life of me understand why a surgeon
would GIVE someone a fistula. I understand the confusion regarding the
"normal" part, but it still seem that "fistula" does NOT describe a
surgical creation, but a result of an injury or infection.
Any MD's out there to pitch in on this?? <BG> ;-Deano
Dean Dancey
Jim, I am still of the opinion, (since nobody has responded as to the
TYPE of ostomy they have) that there is some confusion here. I had asked
a question about some infected areas around my stoma. The term "fistula"
was tossed into the discussion. Somewhere along the line, it was stated
that the fistula was put there by a doctor or surgeon. I do not believe
this is the truth.
I have what is called is a "loop" or (double-barreled) ileostomy.
Which basically means that my rectal stump is still intact. So I have
the stoma itself which empties the bowel; and I have a distal, or lower
opening which is still connected to the rectal stump. It is left there
for the sole purpose of allowing the active tissues in the stump to
drain mucous.
A "fistula" as the info that I have states, is an abnormal opening
from an organ to the surface of the skin, which was caused by an
infection.
In your case, I am not familiar with the mechanics of a colostomy
other than that it is created from a different part of the intestines.
Much of your situation depends on the procedure that was done, as well
as any other parts that were removed. I don't this you have much to fear
about "floating" parts not being tacked in place. As long as you follow
your diet and doctor's care, you should be healed and ready for the
reversal when the time comes. Good luck in any case. ;-Deano
David Judd
me why people have loop -ileostomys. You have your rectum and some of you
colon pulled through to stoma next to the stoma from your ileom. She said
that it is not a fistula.
She also said the some matter can sometimes go down to your rectum from the
bag that has filed up from your ileom. Am I on the right track ??
Dean Dancey
Yup, you are on the right track, David. But the "run through" ONLY
works when I have a REALLY good seal on my appliance, and the distal
opening is not blocked. A VERY strange feeling to wake up to.
As for the fistula mix-up, I have been proven wrong. I was under the
mistaken impression that ANY secondary opening to the rectum was part
and parcel of a loop ileo. From Shaz's site, it illustrates that a
double barrel ileo does indeed have two different sites, and one of them
is called a mucus fistula. Please accept my apology for my errors.
Just curious, but were you ever given a reason WHY the two openings
are so separated?? My guess is that the removed parts dictated such a
move. I have a hard enough time dealing with ONE, so I am more or less
happy to stay this way. I have been told that I will eventually have to
have the rectum removed, but I am in no great hurry to do so. ;-Deano
David Judd
stoma.
PattyPCLab
>
>fistula - an abnormal communication between two hollow organs, or
>between a hollow organ and the exterior. Many fistulas are due to
>infection or injury.
>
> That being said, I can't, for the life of me understand why a surgeon
>would GIVE someone a fistula. I understand the confusion regarding the
>"normal" part, but it still seem that "fistula" does NOT describe a
>surgical creation, but a result of an injury or infection.
> Any MD's out there to pitch in on this??
I am not a doctor, but I do work in a hospital. While many fistulas are the
resut of infection, there are reasons why a surgeon would create a fistula from
a hollow organ, such as the intestines, or even create an artificial fistula.
In the case of the intestines, it is often dependent on the cause of the ostomy
in the first place. The rectal stump, and remaining colon, are living tissue
and as such, will produce mucous as nature intended. However, if the rectal
stump is already injured or diseased, it will need time to heal before reversal
of the ostomy. Mucous passing through the rectal stump may cause additional
irritation, or aggrevate an already infected area. However, the mucous has to
drain. By creating the mucous fistula, it allows the naturally forming mucous
to drain while still allowing the rectal stump to heal. Some individuals that
do not have ostomies because of disease, i.e., accident, birth defect, etc.
also have rectal stumps, but the mucous is able to drain daily from the rectum
without causing any medical problem. Your surgeon should be able to explain
why he/she "created" a fistula in any particular case.
Another surgically and artificially created fistula is that which is very often
used for patients on hemodialysis. The fistula, in this case, is an
artifically created "vein" placed in the patient's arm to connect two ends of
a vein (a hollow organ) where the middle portion has permanently collapsed from
constant use during dialysis treatment. If you see and feel the patient's arm,
you will see an elongated lump and, if you touch that spot, you will actually
be able to "feel" the blood passing through. The fistula can then safely be
used to hook the patient to the dialysis machine without the worry of collapse
of the vein. However, the fistula should not be used to draw blood from for
testing, as you do not want to damage the fistula with a blood collection
needle.
These explanations are not in precise medical terminology, but I hope that they
are understandable and illustrate the concept.
Patty
"I have always held firmly to the belief that each one of us can do a little to
bring some portion of misery to an end." Albert Schweitzer
b hillis
Always think positive about days ahead not what if or i don't know if i should just oh' yes i can and i will.
Brian.