Define Fistulas
Fistulas can occur on any part of your body and can usually be correct with surgery if they don't clear up on their own. If you have ever had a root canal that resulted in a lump on your gum above the tooth, you might have developed a fistula. This lump probably "weeps," secreting fluid if pressed. This fistula is routing fluid away from an infection inside your gum.
Definition
A fistula is an abnormal hole or tunnel between one part of the body and another. A fistula can route fluid from an infection out of the body, connect two organs or two parts of one organ (e.g., loops of your intestines), or connect an artery to a vein. Fistulas can heal themselves, persist harmlessly, cause disability or endanger your life.
Causes
Fistulas can be caused by injury, infection, disease or childbirth. Fistulas can also be created by a surgeon to assist healing or treatment, such as aiding dialysis in a patient suffering end-stage kidney disease.
Oral Fistulas
Fistulas in the gums commonly occur after a tooth extraction or root canal. A tunnel can connect the area of extraction to a sinus cavity or to the exterior of the gum. Antibiotics might help the fistula close on its own. If not, surgery is indicated.
Arteriovenous Fistulas
Sometimes a fistula occurs between an artery and a vein, bypassing the usual route through the capillaries. In end-stage kidney disease, this connection is sometimes created purposely to allow greater blood flow for dialysis treatment. But if it occurs naturally in a healthy person, it can be dangerous because essential blood flow to surrounding tissues might be diminished.
Obstetric Fistulas
Vaginal walls can be weakened or torn during childbirth or during rape, sometimes leading to a fistula between the vagina and bladder or the vagina and rectum. According to the Fistula Foundation, this creates permanent incontinence, but this condition can be reversed by corrective surgery to close the fistula.
