Last Updated on December 7, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
The way a person feels during a fistula operation is entirely dependent on the type of surgery. The patient would not feel pain due to anesthesia. Also, it usually takes about a few minutes to complete the surgery. However, this can be variable as per the condition of the patient.
Will I stay awake during the fistula operation?
Whether a patient stays awake during the procedure depends upon the type of procedure the doctor opts for. It is determined by the patient’s condition. If the operation is done under general anesthesia, the patient is asleep during the operation.
Contrastingly, if the operation is done under local anesthesia, only the affected region where a lack of sensation is required is anesthetized. When the operation is performed under local anesthesia, the patient stays awake during the procedure, i.e., in fistulotomy. If the fistula is small and shallow, the patient may only need a local anesthetic during the procedure. Otherwise, a surgeon will put them to sleep using a general anesthetic.
How long does a fistula operation take?
Different types of surgeries are performed to treat a fistula. The surgery duration depends upon many factors, such as the location of the fistula, its severity and any other possible complications of the surgery. The surgeon has to decide the procedure based on his past experience and the type of fistula he/she is dealing with.
The surgery can be transabdominal surgery, in which the fistula is accessed through an abdominal wall incision. It can be a laparoscopic surgery, which is a minimally invasive surgery involving a tiny incision and using cameras and small tools to repair the fistula. The duration of these procedures is different depending on the patient’s condition. The operation is usually performed under a general anesthetic, but various anesthetic techniques are possible. The operation usually takes 15 to 30 minutes but can even be variable.
Is fistula operation a painful procedure?
No. The operation is usually done under general anesthesia, which means that the patient will be asleep during the operation. Some procedures can also be done using regional anesthesia, meaning the patient will be awake during the operation, but the lower part of the body will be numb. However, a patient may experience mild to moderate pain or discomfort following fistulotomy. You may also experience constipation, difficulty urinating, and possibly some rectal bleeding. The pain or discomfort post-surgery can be managed with analgesics (painkillers).
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