I don't know what type of fistula you have but my son had an internal one. It was connected to his small intestine, just about the connection to the pouch. The other end was a huge abscess. He was on TPN, didn't work, went back to as Ostomy for 9 months, that worked but of course nothing involving his is ever simple. As soon as he had his second takedown, it was back! Exact same place. We know it was gone, he had enough imaging to light up the city of NY. After doing a drain for six months they did an experimental procedure with the Interventional Radiology department. It was a biological plug. It was a custome made plug, inserted through the drain, into the abscess, into the fistula, and into his small intestine. It worked I guess like a Molly that you insert into sheet rock in that you push it in, give it a little tug and it plugs up the leak or hole. I don't think most doctors do this. I was told the success rate was very low, like 20% and then after the procedure, the doctor said it was more like 60% at their hospital. But my son was only the 13th patient to have this procedure. Maybe Cleveland Clinic does a few more, but it is not a common procedure. Fortunately for my son, it appears to be working. He had it done in September, so it's only 3-1/2 months. At 6 months he will,have another MRI to see if it has been absorbed by his body. We know at this point that it has not failed, but until we have the imaging at 6 months out, I'm not saying it was a success although all three of his surgeons are saying it appears to be so. This was done in NYC at Weill Cornell. Don't know where you are from, but might be something to look into at a major medical school facility. Good luck!
