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Things That Keep Fistulas Open

A fistula occurs when a permanent passage opening up between two organs in the body or an organ to the exterior of the body. They are most often found in the digestive tract of the body, and can occur at any age, though many develop shortly after birth. The effects of fistulas on the individual vary, as some are benign and go on undetected, while others cause great discomfort and must be surgically repaired. There are a number of factors that keep fistulas open.

  1. Digestive Tract Fistulas

    • Digestive tract fistulas often begin as anal abscesses, when the abscess opens spontaneously in the bowel area of an individual. Fistulas in the anal tract have often been attributed to inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and tuberculosis. Digestive tract fistulas will usually stay open until they are surgically repaired, and typically cause the patient a large amount of discomfort. The infection of the tissue around the opening and the leaking of the anal cavity through the fistula often prevent the body from healing the wound itself. The presence of fecal matter will often contribute to a further infection of the area and the need to see a doctor to close the fistula.

    Urinary and Reproductive Tract Fistulas

    • Vesicovaginal fistulas occur in women, creating a passage between the urinary bladder and the woman's reproductive area. This type of fistula is most often caused by long, difficult births, and is most common in young women. The leakage of urine from the bladder to the reproductive area causes numerous infections which inflame the fistula and cause great discomfort. The body is unable to close the fistula on its own because of the presence of urine leaked from the bladder and the consistently inflamed area. Surgery is typically needed to close the fistula, and medication is usually prescribed to reduce pain and swelling.

    Circulatory System Fistulas

    • Circulatory fistulas often take form as Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF). Arteriovenous fistulas refer to the opening of a hole between an artery and a vein in the body. These holes are particularly problematic because they affect the blood pressure and cause abnormal blood flow to different parts of the body. They develop during trauma to the body when veins are ruptured, but can also be present during birth. One of the factors contributing to these fistulas remaining open is the blood pressure in our veins, which prevent the body from closing these fistulas. The biggest concern is body tissue not receiving enough oxygen because of the lack of blood pressure. Surgery is often recommended to close these fistulas and restore blood pressure.

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