Doubletrouble wrote:I am sorry to read about your wife's fistula. I had a recto vaginal fistula caused by delayed radiation damage. Mine developed after ileostomy takedown. It was horrific to deal with. A few weeks after the fistula occured, I had surgery to attempt a repair, as well as an colostomy placed.
I had a great surgeon who suggested Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment to help heal the radiated tissue. I completed 60 days (m-f) in the oxygen chamber (2hrs daily). The HBO treatment was successful in helping to heal the damaged tissue. I then had Gracious Flap surgery which was successful. 8 months later I had colostomy takedown surgery. It is now 1 year later and I am doing well re: the reversal, I really think the HBO treatment is part of my good results from my 2nd takedown.
After my first ostomy reversal I had all of the common issues to deal with post takedown, not fun! When the 2nd one was done it was so much better. I believe it's because the radiated tissue was healed(?) Who knows if that's true, I'm just happy to be some what back to normal.
I wish your wife all the best with her fistula repair.
tater wrote:thank you for the update and information it is helpful. If you don;t mind what is the idea behind the Gracious Flap surgery?
heiders33 wrote:This is good to know about, because I will need to use a pediatric scope or virtual colonoscopy in the future because of the post-radiation/surgery shape of my colon. My colonoscopy in October didn’t go past the recto-sigmoid junction. I will definitely ask about the risks of a fistula in the future. So sorry that your wife is going through this.
Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 53 guests