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What is a seton?
- A seton is a drainage device used to control and treat an anal fistulous abscess.
- It is inserted through and through a fistula tract and secured to itself, thus making a circle about some portion of the anal sphincter muscle.
- It serves as a cutting device to exteriorize the fistula slowly. Typical setons are Penrose drains, Silastic vessel loops, or silk sutures.
Common indications for inserting a seton
- High fistulous abscesses involving greater than one-half the length of the anal canal muscle
- Anterior fistulas in a woman
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Older adult patients or patients with multiple previous anorectal surgeries
