About Intestinal Fistula Repair
Key Highlights
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Closes an abnormal, leak-causing connection between the intestine and another organ or the skin.Prevents chronic infection, sepsis, and severe fluid/nutrient loss.Restores normal digestive function and anatomy.Can be performed using open, laparoscopic, or endoscopic techniques depending on the case.Aims to significantly improve the patient's quality of life and nutritional status.
Who is this surgery for?
- Enterocutaneous fistula (intestine to skin), causing persistent drainage and skin breakdown.
- Enteroenteric or entero-colonic fistula (between different parts of the intestine).
- Enterovesical fistula (intestine to bladder), leading to recurrent urinary infections or fecal matter in urine.
- Enterovaginal fistula (intestine to vagina).
- Fistulas caused by Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, or complications of previous abdominal surgery.
- Fistulas resulting from abdominal trauma, radiation therapy, or cancer.
- Fistulas that do not heal with conservative management (nutritional support, antibiotics).
How to prepare
- Comprehensive imaging (CT scan, fistulogram, MRI) to map the fistula tract precisely.
- Nutritional optimization, which may include total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to improve healing.
- Treatment of any active infection with appropriate antibiotics.
- Bowel preparation may be required to empty the intestines.
- Pre-operative counseling and informed consent detailing the procedure and risks.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours before surgery.
- Management of other medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
Risks & possible complications
- Recurrence of the fistula.
- Infection at the surgical site or within the abdomen (abscess).
- Bleeding during or after the procedure.
- Damage to nearby structures like blood vessels, ureters, or other parts of the bowel.
- Formation of new adhesions (scar tissue) that can cause future bowel obstruction.
- Anastomotic leak (leakage from the repaired intestinal connection).
- Reactions to anesthesia.
- Delayed wound healing, especially in malnourished patients.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for monitoring, pain management, and IV fluids/nutrition.
- Gradual advancement from clear liquids to a soft diet as bowel function returns.
- Incision/wound care instructions to prevent infection.
- Activity restrictions, avoiding heavy lifting for several weeks.
- Close monitoring for signs of complications like fever, increased pain, or drainage.
- Follow-up appointments to assess healing and nutritional status.
- Long-term management of the underlying condition (e.g., Crohn's disease) to prevent recurrence.
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Typical hospital stay: 5-10 days
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Expected recovery time: 4-8 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering intestinal fistula repair in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for intestinal fistula repair in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform intestinal fistula repair. MediFyr helps you compare general surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for intestinal fistula repair compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Intestinal Fistula Repair in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated general surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing intestinal fistula repair.
John Jones, a 58-year-old retired construction...
John Jones, a 58-year-old retired construction supervisor, had been struggling for nine months. His life was upended after a complicated emergency appendectomy led to a postoperative infection. This developed into an enterocutaneous fistula, an abnormal connection between his small intestine and the skin of his abdomen. John lived with a constant, foul-smelling drainage from a small opening near his surgical scar, which required him to wear an ostomy bag. The leakage caused severe skin irritation and recurrent infections. He became isolated, unable to enjoy his weekly fishing trips or family barbecues due to embarrassment and discomfort. His general surgeon, Dr. Miller, explained that after months of nutritional optimization and failed attempts at non-surgical closure, a definitive fistula repair surgery was necessary. The procedure involved resecting the damaged segment of intestine and reconnecting the healthy ends. Post-surgery, John spent a week in the hospital on intravenous nutrition to allow the new connection to heal. The recovery was slow and required a careful transition back to solid foods. Six weeks later, the drainage had completely stopped, and his abdominal skin was finally healing. Emotionally, John moved from a state of frustration and depression to one of profound relief and hope. He felt he had his body and his life back, eagerly planning his return to the lake with his grandchildren.
General surgeons for Intestinal Fistula Repair
Explore experienced general surgeons who regularly perform intestinal fistula repair and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 18 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- General surgeon
- 16 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 37 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 41 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 11 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 10 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 18 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 39 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 37 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore