Fistula, Appearance of Channels between Parts of the Body

Fistulas are channels that connect abnormally between two parts of the body or blood vessels. Fistulas can occur in various parts of the body such as the urinary tract, anus, digestive tract, vagina, to the skin. There are at least five types of fistulas that often occur. Many parts of the body or blood vessels that are normally not connected, but because of injury, surgery, disease, infection, or swelling, become connected by a channel.

Get to know the various types of fistulas that often occur

Here are some types of fistulas that often appear on the human body, namely:

Gastrointestinal fistula

Gastrointestinal fistula is an abnormal opening in the digestive tract causing stomach fluid to leak out through the stomach or intestinal lining. If the stomach fluid leaks into the skin or other organs, it can lead to infection. This one fistula most often results from surgery in the abdominal cavity (intra-abdominal) or due to chronic digestive disorders. There are at least 4 types of gastrointestinal fistulas, namely:

• Intestinal fistula, where stomach fluid leaks from one part of the intestine to the intestine
• Extraintestinal fistula. This type of fistula occurs when stomach fluid leaks from the intestine to other organs of your body such as the bladder, lungs, or blood vessel system.
• External fistula, where stomach fluid leaks through the skin.
• Complex fistula, which is a fistula that occurs in more than one organ.

Fistula ani

Anal fistulas are small channels that form between the end of the intestine and the skin near the anus. This fistula usually results from an infection near the anus that causes a collection of pus or abscesses in the surrounding tissue. The only way to treat anal fistula is through surgery. In the anal fistula, the skin around the anal canal is connected to the anal canal. Anal fistulas can include:

• Anorectal fistula, formed between the anal canal and the skin around the anal canal.
• Rectovaginal fistula, which occurs when a channel appears between the vagina and rectum.
• Kolovaginal fistula, when a connection is formed between the vagina and the large intestine.

Anal fistulas can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as skin irritation around the anus; smelly stools come out near the anus; pain when sitting, moving, defecating or coughing; pus or blood out when defecating; difficulty controlling bowel movements; anal swelling and redness; and fever.

Arteriovenous fistula

Arteriovenous fistulas are abnormally formed channels between arteries and veins. If blood normally flows from the arteries to the capillaries then to the veins, the fistula makes the blood flow directly from the arteries to the veins, without passing through the capillaries. As a result, blood supply to the tissue under the capillaries is reduced. Arteriovenous fistulas usually occur in the legs, but do not rule out developing in other parts of the body such as the arms, lungs, kidneys, or brain. If left untreated, this type of fistula can cause serious complications.

Vaginal fistula

Vaginal fistula is the appearance of abnormal gaps or channels that connect the vagina to other organs, such as the bladder, large intestine, or rectum (the lower part of the large intestine that is close to the anus). This can make urine and stool come out of the vagina. Vaginal fistulas can occur due to injury, surgery, infection, radiation therapy, suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, or ruptured perineum and infection with episiotomy after childbirth. Whatever the cause, this type of fistula must be treated surgically. There are several types of vaginal fistulas, namely:

• Vesicovaginal fistula. Fistulas form between the vagina and bladder. Also called a bladder fistula.
• Ureterovaginal fistula. Fistulas form between the vagina and the ureter (the channel that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
• Uretrovaginal fistula. Fistulas form between the vagina and urethra (urinary tract). Another name is the urethral fistula.
• Rectovaginal fistula. Fistulas form between the vagina with
• Kolovaginal fistula. Fistulas form between the vagina and the large intestine.
• Enterovaginal fistula. Fistulas form between the small intestine and the vagina.

Obstetric fistula

Obstetric fistula is a rectovaginal fistula, which is the formation of a gap between the rectum and vagina. As a result, gas and stool can pass through the vagina. Obstetric fistulas even become one of the causes of maternal death during childbirth, the percentage reaches 6%. This fistula can occur due to:

• Birth injury.
• Suffer from Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy in the pelvic area.
• There are complications or side effects after surgery in the pelvic area.

Fistula is a condition that requires medical treatment. Treatment depends on the cause, the location of the occurrence, and how bad the condition is. Some fistulas can close by themselves. But usually handling fistulas requires surgery to close the channels or gaps that are formed, so that the affected organ can function normally as before.