A fistula is a tunnel-like pathway that leads to an unusual hole outside the skin. It connects the inside of the anus to the outer part. If the outer hole gets blocked, the area might get filled with pus, causing an infection. Usually, the issue requires anal fistula surgery in Navi Mumbai. Sadly, there’s still a chance of fistula recurrence.
Although surgery is largely effective in preventing fistula-related complications, you need to follow proper hygiene, sanitization, and the right lifestyle to prevent its recurrence. In this post, we’ll take a detailed look at the key steps that can help reduce the risk of getting a fistula after surgery.
Follow Recovery Instructions
Your surgeon will give you detailed post-operative instructions on how to care for the wound, what diet to follow, what to do and avoid, and how often to see your doctor. All these are vital for a smooth recovery. Make sure you change the dressings as advised by your doctor and complete the course of antibiotics.
You must also attend follow-up meetings with your surgeon to ensure your wound is healing well. See your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection on the surgical site, such as an unusual discharge, redness, swelling, or fever.
1) Maintain Good Hygiene
A fistula surgeon doctor in Navi Mumbai will recommend that patients follow good hygiene practices after surgery. It prevents the risk of infection, which might form an abscess, eventually causing a fistula. Here are a few hygiene practices you must follow:
- Wash the area gently yet thoroughly after passing a bowel.
- Use fragrance-free wet wipes if the regular ones feel too harsh on your skin.
- Do not use abrasive products on the surgical site
- Wash your hands to avoid introducing bacteria to the surgical site
2) Eat a Healthy Diet
Your main goal should be to prevent constipation. Eat a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet, particularly foods rich in fiber, to ensure easy bowel movements. Add lots of green leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, cereals, and legumes to your diet.
Avoid fatty or junk foods. You must also keep yourself hydrated. A good diet with proper hydration will help you pass the bowel easily, thus reducing straining, which can be the biggest contributing factor for fistula recurrence after surgery.
3) Stay Active
Prolonged sitting, especially on hard surfaces, can put unnecessary pressure on the surgical site. This may increase the risk of fistula recurrence. You must adapt to a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and gentle stretching. This will promote tissue regeneration and good blood flow to the surgical area.
If your job includes sitting, make sure you take a break every 30-45 minutes. Get up and walk around for 5-10 minutes before getting back to work. You could also sit on soft pillows to get adequate support while sitting.
4) Avoid Constipation
Adopting a healthy diet is the first step to mitigating the risk of constipation. If you still experience the issue, see a fistula specialist in Nerul and get stool softeners. Do not delay passing the bowel movement.
