J tube removal issues: Anyone have a fistula?

I had my J tube removed after completion post op chemo, at my last surgical review , removal uneventful, the wound was stitched , the issue that I experienced five days after , was that the site became infected, and caused a large abdominal cyst , requiring hospital with antibiotics intravenously over four days

Hi was your j tube placed in your stomach or your small intestine. Mine was in my small intestine. Never had and issue. Just wondering if that would make a difference. Hope everything works out for you wishing you the best. Scott

@goldenshadow it was in the intestines. I just saw wound care today and apparently there is a fistula that formed which is allowing drainage from the intestines to exit through the wound. Trying some new bandages and thoroughly cleaned it out, so hoping that will allow it to close up and heal.

@bluedog35, how are you doing? Is the wound healing?

@colleenyoung It is finally starting to heal, very slowly. Wound care has been an amazing help. Hoping we keep moving forward at this point.

I have a fistula from intestines to skin that is draining externally. I have to have surgery but not planned yet. Anyone have this type of fistula? It was from a failed J Tube.

Hi @bluedog35 - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here about the fistula draining externally due to a failed J Tube so that you could continue your past discussions with others such as @colleenyoung @maddog72 here talking about J Tube removal issues:

- J tube removal issues: Anyone have a fistula? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/j-tube-removal-issues-1/

I'd also like to tag @juneau1062 @goldenshadow @naoshapiro1 @manuelo who have spoken to J Tube removal issues in the Esophageal Cancer support group on Connect. Hoping they can share whether they have developed this type of fistula you mentioned.

@lisalucier thankfully I never got a fistula. My partner changed my dressings, probably a few times a day and when I was having a tremendous amount of pain, I went to the wound center to get better bandages to put on the bandage for the J tube. I also use liquid hope as the feeding tube formula and I used it afterwards for food. It's all vegan. It has no chemicals no artificial sugars no onions, no lactose you can get it on Amazon where you can get it from the manufacturer. I know fistulas are very problematic. They take a
long time to heal. I would definitely get in touch with the wound center associated with your hospital so you could get help in learning how to deal with fistula. I'm so sorry for your pain and discomfort.

@naoshapiro1
I have been going to wound care and still no luck. We are at a point where surgery is the only option. I no longer have the J tube thankfully.

If all your doctors think the only way to deal with the fistula is surgery then that's what you have to do. I'm so sorry. I'm glad you tried wound care at a hospital. I know someone that had a fistula. It could take a year for it to heal properly I hope the surgery speeds up this process.