What Are the Causes of Fistulas?

A fistula is an opening between two areas of your body that are not normally connected, such as the rectum and vagina or an artery and a vein. The causes of fistulas depend on their location and include injuries, surgical complications and certain chronic diseases. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine about the causes of fistulas.

Childbirth

• If you delivered your baby vaginally, you may develop a fistula between your rectum and vagina as a result of injury during delivery.

Episiotomy

• Having an episiotomy to enlarge your vaginal opening during childbirth may result in a fistula, especially if the incision tears, or becomes infected.

Hysterectomy

• Surgical removal of your uterus (hysterectomy) may cause you to develop a fistula between your rectum and vagina after your surgery.

Cancer

• If you have cancer of your colon, rectum, uterus, cervix or vagina, you may develop a fistula as a result of removal of tumors, or from radiation therapy.

Diverticulitis

• Diverticulitis is a medical term for inflammation of small areas of your intestines, which may result in complications such as fistulas.

Crohn's Disease

• Crohn's disease is a type of chronic intestinal inflammation that can result in a fistula in the loops of your intestines.

Surgery

• Surgical incisions anywhere in your body can cause a fistula between an artery and vein, which may be a life threatening condition.