Just had my Seton placed today :/
31M and I had a bump adjacent to my anus for about 8-10 months, with no external communication
Got the MRI in March and it came back as a transsphincteric anal fistula at the 1 clock
Prior to my surgery I saw about 3 surgeries with all varying opinions:
1. Older surgeon, prefers cutting seton and tighten in office every two weeks for 6 weeks. Then something else but no LIFT
2. Second surgeon - experienced but younger. Stated he would do a draining seton for 3 months and explore something like a LIFT or plug there after.
3. Chief of colorectal surgery and renowned. Sadly, my insurance would not be accepted by him but during our visit he mentioned it looks pretty superficial and may just be a fistulotomy - it was assuring to here this but he said I really doubt you’d need a seton
I took that information to surgeon 2 and he agreed and said I would do the same but depends on the EUA and said it looked superficial during anal exam
Fast forward to today: I got my surgery date and got there, was brought it and knocked out, came out and my first question was to the nurse, so what did they do - she said seton
Felt like the world collapsed me knowing now I have to prolong this for months
After my surgery the surgeon came by and said unfortunately there was some involvement that he didn’t feel comfortable to do a fistulotomy
I’m afraid I feel like I went to the wrong surgeon because he mentioned Lift or a plug after and when I asked about a possible fistulotomy or fistulectomy he said, maybe but truly depends on how it heals
Was hopefully to have a simple one but here we are. My wedding in first week of February and I had travel plans this summer / fall so this all sucks.
Any advice on people in this position is always greats