Has anyone had a similar pathway with a fistula/seton?
I originally had a perianal abscess/fistula and had my first seton placed on 30/10/2024. A second seton was placed on 01/11/2024 due to pain and fluid build-up in the cavity. In January 2025, I had the abscess cavity cleaned out, a catheter placed, then removed a few days later, with further cleaning, widening of the external opening, and another seton placed to keep things draining.
Over time the cavity reduced a lot — from around orange-sized to grape-sized by my EUA on 30/01/2026. They also removed a lot of granulation tissue. I had another EUA today and the surgeon was really happy: infection is gone, drainage is minimal to none compared with before, and they said I likely won’t need LIFT, advancement flap, or FiLaC/laser.
Plan now is MRI in about a month, then clinic follow-up, then another EUA where they’re confident they can remove the seton and let the tract heal naturally.
Has anyone else had their seton removed after everything settled, without needing a formal closure surgery?