Rectovaginal fistula repair

[scubamummy]

I had a small 2nd degree tear during my dd's birth and subsequent recurrent perineal granulation tissue. I've just found out that I have a small rectovaginal fistula, following an MRI (haven't had any symptoms). My gynae says that I need to get this repaired under general by a colorectal expert.

I'm bf-ing my 5 month old and don't really want to be separated from her to have a general. My gynae said that I wouldn't be able to give birth vaginally again after the repair. I don't really want loads of scar tissue down there following an op.

Do I really need to have it surgically repaired? And before I'm done having kids?? What would this entail in terms of recovery??? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

bump

Can't totally help as my prob was different , I had a perianal fistula which I had 'laid open' under general anaesthetic. I was in at 8am and home by 3pm so not away from my (then) 8 mo for long. Went on to have dd with vaginal birth with measures taken to minimise chances of tearing (such as giving birth on my side). However might not be relevant as your fistula is in a different place. I would say though that the fistula I had resulted in an abscess before it was fixed and by god that abscess was unbelievably painful so make sure you get it sorted and avoid that outcome. I really hope this can be sorted quickly and easily for you - get referred to colorectal surgeon an when you see him or her take a list of questions to ask.

Also, in the interim between having my abscess drained and having my final op, the doctors put in a 'seton' which is a sort of loop of thread keeping the fistula open so no abscess could form. They told me I could have this seton remain during pregnancy if needed (ie if I got pregnant before I had the second op). Again this may not be relevant bit you could have a little look into it.

Thanks for the info washngo. I've been doing a bit of reading and have even more questions! How long was the whole process for you from op to healing? How come you had 2 ops? Did you have to have a colostomy bag??? Were you able to lift your lo during the healing time? And is sex ok now?! (Feel free to ignore my q's if I'm being far too nosy!)

From op to being healed was a v short time, think I did much lifting on the day of the operation but after that was all fine. Once all healed no probs with sex (although again my fistula was not actually in contact with vagina). When I got pregnant with dd I was referred to an obstetrician who basically said he'd do a c section if I wanted but was happy to let me go ahead with vaginal delivery. I had 3 operations (under ga) in total - first was an emergency affair to drain the enormous abscess (things got pretty bad because I'd been to the doctor in agony 3 times, got told "you're cryig a lot for somebody with a sore bottom I think you just have mild PND" so eventually ended up toxic and in lots of pain). Second was a few weeks later to put in the seton whilst they decided what to do. Last was to lay open the fistula which got rid of it. All operations were fairly straightforward and not too much pain afterwards.

don't think I did much lifting!

Oh and no colostomy bag or anything like that. My main prob now (embarrassingly) is a bit of a lack of control re wind which I can live with but would not wish it to get any worse!

Thanks for your posts. I have similar windy probs after dd's birth - thought it was just due to a general laxity of my pelvic floor, but perhaps it's related. Hmm. Anyway, glad it all healed up well, it's great to hear a success story!

I there, i too had a rectro vaginal fistula!!Im so hoping you are still on this site! Please join our private group on facebook, there are about 20 of us now around the world. we are like sisters and are supporting eachother through every step of the way! Its called "living with obstetric fistula"

skye