what is fistula

Introduction

Fistulas are abnormal connections between hollow spaces within the body. They can develop after injury or surgery, and may cause pain and inflammation.

A fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow spaces (technically, two epithelium-lined spaces) that usually develop in response to injury or surgery.

A fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow spaces (technically, two epithelium-lined spaces) that usually develop in response to injury or surgery. Fistulas may cause pain and inflammation. The most common causes of fistulas are injuries to the perineum during childbirth, surgery performed on the pelvis or urinary tract, Crohn’s disease (a type of inflammatory bowel disorder), radiation therapy, and parasitic infections like schistosomiasis (snail fever).

Fistulas are generally benign and have little risk of spreading cancerous cells. However, they can be difficult to diagnose because they can occur anywhere in the body and look different depending on their location

Fistulae are generally benign; however, they can come with complications and may be difficult to treat.

Fistulae are generally benign; however, they can come with complications and may be difficult to treat.

Fistulae are usually not painful, but they may cause some discomfort and irritation.

The most common causes of fistula include surgery, injury, Crohn's disease and infections such as abscesses (collections of pus) or diverticulitis (inflammation of the colon).

Anal fistulae

Anal fistulae are a common complication of Crohn's disease and other types of inflammatory bowel disease, which can cause rectal bleeding, pain and incontinence.

They are most often treated with surgery, but can be prevented by good hygiene.

Rectovaginal fistulae

• Fistulas can develop after surgery, such as a hysterectomy or cancer treatment.

• Fistulas can develop following injury, such as an accident or fall.

• Fistulas can develop after childbirth, if the baby was too large to pass through the birth canal and injured the muscles that hold your vagina closed.

• Radiation therapy for pelvic cancer may cause fistulae in the rectum and vagina because of damage to tissue in these areas.

Tracheoesophageal fistulae

Tracheoesophageal fistulae (TEF) are rare abnormalities that occur when the trachea and esophagus are connected to each other. They can be congenital or acquired. Congenital TEFs may have a wide range of severity and at times, there may be no symptoms at all. Acquired TEFs often cause respiratory problems as well as gastrointestinal issues due to regurgitation of food into the airway. Surgery is required in many cases to repair these defects but some patients may not respond well to surgery.

Esophageal atresia

Esophageal atresia is a birth defect that occurs when the esophagus does not connect to the stomach. This can happen in two ways:

• If the lower end of your esophagus fails to form, it will be blocked by tissue or muscle and you won't be able to swallow. Food becomes trapped in your upper intestine.

• If only part of your esophagus forms, then there will be an opening between your mouth and stomach that allows food to pass through but not liquids.

In both cases, if left untreated, nutrients can't reach their destination in the body and malnutrition results.

Gastrointestinal bleeding

A fistula can be caused by an infection, trauma, surgery or a birth defect. It can also be the result of a disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Infections that cause fistulas include:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC)

• Crohn's disease

Fistulas are abnormal connections between hollow spaces within the body. They can develop after injury or surgery, and may cause pain and inflammation.

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Conclusion

A fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow spaces (technically, two epithelium-lined spaces) that usually develop in response to injury or surgery. Fistulae are generally benign; however, they can come with complications and may be difficult to treat. If you have an anal fistula, there are several options available for treatment including medication, surgery and injections that can help improve your symptoms.