Switching from Colostomy to Ileostomy for Colovaginal Fistula

Anyone changed from a colostomy to an ileostomy due to colovaginal fistula causing very bad stool leakage through the vagina.

Not, but I am dealing with a small bowel fistula. If we go to surgery, I was told they would resect the part of the bowel with the fistula. Is that not possible in your case? Or do they expect a recurrence if they don't remove the whole bowel?

Without knowing your specific situation, it seems extreme, and perhaps you need a second opinion.

In any case, I'm sorry this is happening to you. Before my cancer surgery, I had a leakage of stool through the vagina and urethra because my tumor connected them. It was a very miserable experience. Certainly no way to live, and I hope they get you fixed soon.

Have they fixed it now that they have changed to an ileostomy? If not, I hope they can fix that as soon as possible.

Regards, IGGIE

Agree with Susan about getting a second opinion and more details needed because I'm kind of learning about this stuff myself.

No, this is not my issue at all.

No, I am just hearing stories about fistulas and where they connect to other organs or sprout to the outside skin.

Long ago, I had one sprout near my anus. Like having a second butt. No, thank you.

Leakage, then a cyst formed. Then drainage. Then surgery.

It was on the outside, though. Lucky duck.

What needs to be asked is why the colostomy in the first place?

And its location is relevant to stop the poop discharge from the vagina.

Could that be your issue? The bag is below the fistula instead of above it? Maybe I got that wrong. If poop is diverted away from the fistula, it wouldn't end up in the vagina.

I need crayons. Paper. Alex T. to help here.

Just thinking out loud because you really don't know if an ileostomy is going to fix this, and at all costs, you want to avoid having that if you can.

The ileostomy could stop the poop from entering the large colon for sure. Then what? Live like that? You will continue to get a mucus discharge if an ileostomy is selected. Then what?

Please consider all options and ask people here. The information will come; sit tight. No fast decisions.

I can answer some of this.

Her body has developed an extra tube that does not belong. It is connecting the colon to her vagina. Her colon ends at her stoma. The fistula is upstream somewhere.

I have a similar tube connecting my small bowel to my pelvis.

To fix mine, my surgeon has said he'd need to cut out the offending section of small bowel and reattach the remaining small bowel. He called it a resection.

In this case, it sounds like they want to remove the remaining colon. That would certainly remove the fistula if it is coming from the colon.

It isn't clear to me why they would take such a drastic step. But there are potentially good reasons. If she has risk factors for recurrence or very little colon left, etc., it may be considered an easier surgery.

She may know the reason and just didn't say in her post. The doctor may have a good reason that he didn't explain well. But if she hasn't been given a good explanation, she needs a second opinion.

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Righto.. upstream because that's why it wouldn't leak into the vagina? If it were downstream - below the stoma, it would likely pass mucus I think.. just trying to picture it--- simple like.

Yeah, a tube.. a pathway that doesn't belong.. exactly from what point in the large intestine needs to be detailed..

Pretty extreme to cut out the large colon because of a fistula that might be fixed some other way.

Knife-happy surgeon gotta pay their leases on cars and boats somehow. 😉😋

I'm sure you have a very good and experienced surgeon that's advised surgery as the best option. Have you talked to your stoma nurse about it? They can usually put you in contact with someone that's been through the same surgery, or if you phone the Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Association National Office, they should be able to give some advice and possibly put you in contact with someone local to you.

Hi 👋

I have a colostomy due to a colovaginal fistula also. I too had bowel leakage coming out through my vagina. How maddening is that??!! The colostomy stopped it.

As others have remarked, perhaps location is key? My fistula is very low, almost to the anus. I do still have discharge due to the surgeon not being able to close my fistula, but it is clear, not bowel leakage.

I 💯 agree with others, please get a second opinion and let us know if an ileo is still planned.

As @SusanT said, so sorry you are dealing with this.