Question: got a partial fistulotomy with seton in XXXXXXX 2016. In September 2016 we finished the procedure by doing an endorectal advancement flap and removed the seton. I went to to see my colorectal surgeon every two weeks until the end of November in which he examined the inside of my rectum via digital rectal exam and an anoscopy. He also examined the out area where the scar was forming to check for evidence of tunneling. All appointments everything looked great. My last exam he said it healed great and would not come back it this point. Today my scar is hurting a little when I touch it. I don't feel any hard spots where infected fluids would be inside like I did prior to my surgery. The area doesn't look red or infected, but the scar is all of the sudden painful. I called the surgeon and he said if it's still painful tomorrow it may be a low grade infection so he'll order me antibiotics and to make an appointment with him so he can examine to see if the surgery failed and the fistula opened back up. 1.Is it common to have the fistula reopen 3 months after two fistula surgeries (my risk of incontinence was high)?

2. What surgeries do they resort to next and what are the success rates? Is it multiple surgeries?

3. Does an infection mean the fistula is back? If not, why would it be infected again?

4. Could it just be painful scar tissue?

Now there a little hard lump/ball along the scar, like right next to it touching it. It's quite a large scar. I can't get in to see the surgeon for another 9 days and am very anxious. What could this lump be? It's painful