Fistula

This article is about the anatomical term. For the former legume subgenus, see Cassia (genus). For the metal straw used in Catholic liturgy, see Fistula (liturgical object).
Not to be confused with Vistula.

Fistula
Abdominal CT scan with right colocutaneous fistula and associated subcutaneous pneumatosis
Pronunciation
SpecialtyGeneral surgery

In anatomy, a fistula (pl.: fistulas or fistulae /-li, -laɪ/; from Latin fistula, "tube, pipe") is an abnormal connection (i.e. tube) joining two hollow spaces (technically, two epithelialized surfaces), such as blood vessels, intestines, or other hollow organs to each other, often resulting in an abnormal flow of fluid from one space to the other.[2][3][4] An anal fistula connects the anal canal to the perianal skin. An anovaginal or rectovaginal fistula is a hole joining the anus or rectum to the vagina. A colovaginal fistula joins the space in the colon to that in the vagina. A urinary tract fistula is an abnormal opening in the urinary tract or an abnormal connection between the urinary tract and another organ. An abnormal communication (i.e. hole or tube) between the bladder and the uterus is called a vesicouterine fistula, while if it is between the bladder and the vagina it is known as a vesicovaginal fistula, and if between the urethra and the vagina: a urethrovaginal fistula. When occurring between two parts of the intestine, it is known as an enteroenteral fistula, between the small intestine and the skin it's known as an enterocutaneous fistula, and between the colon and the skin as a colocutaneous fistula.[3]

A fistula can result from an infection, inflammation, injury or surgery.[5] Many result from complications during childbirth. Sometimes a fistula is deliberately surgically created as part of a treatment, for example in the case of an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis.[6]

The treatment for a fistula varies depending on the type, cause, and severity of the fistula, but often involves surgical intervention combined with antibiotic therapy. In some cases the fistula is temporarily covered using a fibrin glue or plug. A catheter may be required to drain a fistula.[3]

Globally, every year between 50,000 and 100,000 women are affected by one or more fistulas relating to childbirth.[7] Typically they are vaginal fistulas, between either the bowel or bladder and the vaginal canal, but uterine and bowel fistulas also occur.

In botany, the term is most common in its adjectival forms, where it is used in binomial names to refer to a species that is distinguished by one or more hollow or tubular structures. Monarda fistulosa, for example, has tubular flowers.[8]

The term was first used in the 14th century.[2]

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary Archived 2021-12-08 at the Wayback Machine. OED 2nd edition, 1989. (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c "Definition of Fistula". www.merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "What Is A Fistula? Types, causes and treatments explained". Urinary incontinence education; National Association for Continence. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. ^ Garefalakis, Maria; Hickey, Martha; Johnson, Neil (2016). "Gynecological Morbidity". In Quah, Stella R.; Cockerham, William C. (eds.). International Encyclopedia of Public Health (Second ed.). Elsevier. pp. 342–353. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-803678-5.00178-8. ISBN 978-0-12-803678-5. A fistula is an abnormal connection or passageway between organs or vessels that are not normally connected.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rao was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Arteriovenous fistula - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference WHO2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Identification of Monarda fistulosa Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine subpage of Discover Life Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine , 2014.