u/CrownJules97

Short synopsis: I’ve had a draining seton for around 2 years, have had multiple eua and abscess drained so I’m on count 6 of surgery/eau now. Most recently on 08/05/2026. I’ve always been physically active. I used to play rugby but had to switch to a non contact sport so I now play badminton and rarely tennis. I used to cycle before all this happened and have really been missing it. I’m afraid to start again with the current seton in. I’m just wondering if anyone else here cycles and has a draining seton?

I originally had a perianal abscess/fistula and had my first seton placed on 30/10/2024. A second seton was placed on 01/11/2024 due to pain and fluid build-up in the cavity. In January 2025, I had the abscess cavity cleaned out, a catheter placed, then removed a few days later, with further cleaning, widening of the external opening, and another seton placed to keep things draining.

Over time the cavity reduced a lot — from around orange-sized to grape-sized by my EUA on 30/01/2026. They also removed a lot of granulation tissue. I had another EUA today and the surgeon was really happy: infection is gone, drainage is minimal to none compared with before, and they said I likely won’t need LIFT, advancement flap, or FiLaC/laser.

Plan now is MRI in about a month, then clinic follow-up, then another EUA where they’re confident they can remove the seton and let the tract heal naturally.

Has anyone else had their seton removed after everything settled, without needing a formal closure surgery?