A fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow body structures such as organs or vessels or between an internal structure and the skin These can occur virtually anywhere in the body and vary in cause and presentation Classification and types Anal fistula between the anal canal and skin near the anus usually after an abscess Enterocutaneous or colocutaneous fistula when bowel contents drain through the skin Genitourinary fistulas Vesicovaginal between bladder and vagina Urethrovaginal vesicouterine etc affect urinary organs Obstetric fistula and Arteriovenous fistula Causes & Risk Factors Infection & inflammation such as from an abscess inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohns diverticulitis, or tuberculosis Surgery or trauma accidental or deliberate Childbirth injuries especially prolonged obstructed labor causing obstetric fistulas Symptoms Symptoms vary based on location Anal fistulas pain discharge pus blood swelling irritation sometimes incontinence Urinary genital fistulas continuous vaginal urine leakage frequent UTIs odor Intestinal fistulas unexpected drainage of stool or flatus through skin or vagina abdominal pain Some fistulas may lead to chronic infection dehydration tissue damage nerve injury or emotional and social impact especially obstetric types Clinical examination visual, palpation Imaging CT scan, MRI fistulogram retrograde pyelogram for urinary fistulas Dye tests like methylene blue to trace leaks in urinary genital fistulas Treatment Usually surgery is recommended but homeopathy can effectively cure the fistula permanently