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Patent Pending The Latin word fistula (UK /ˈfɪstjʊlə/ or US /ˈfɪstʃələ/ or /ˈfɪʃtʃələ/,[1][2] plural fistulas /...ləz/ or fistulae /...li/ or /...laɪ/) literally means tube or pipe. In medicine, a fistula is an abnormal connection between two epithelialized surfaces. Fistulas are usually caused by injury or surgery, but they can also result from an infection or inflammation.[3] Fistulas are generally a disease condition, but they may be surgically created for therapeutic reasons.