Hi

Does anyone no exactly what having a seton drain institu does for a fistula??. Is it to prevent infection/ formation of absess or can it assist in healing??

Hi Van, here's what I know. I currently have a fistula with a seton in it. I started with an abscess and my surgeon turned the abscess into a fistula and inserted the seton. I was told that this would (hopefully) allow the fistula to drain and to heal whilst avoiding the abscess from re-forming. I was told there was no additional risk of infection from this, though I don't fully understand why. I'm due to see the doc in 2 weeks to see if she thinks it's healed.

A seton is a slow fistulotomy (opening of the fistula). The string cuts through the fistula slowly, hopefully stimulating healing as it passes through the tissues. Ever see that science experiment where you put a string with a weight on it on a cube of ice, and the ice refreezes as the string cuts through it? This is similar, except it is healing tissue rather than melting and refreezing ice. The seton also allows for continuous drainage.

http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4306/4306a6.pdf

Jan