hi, Angela, our plastic surgeon told us that alot of time there is nothing that can be done, you just have to live with them. the huge one Frank just had is totally closed up again, but then after a while his neck will swell again and we go through the same thing........sometimes they are infected and other times, is just blood and saliva. I`ve honestly lost count of the ones Frank has had. The last one I saw coming, got him on antibiotics, but it still opened and drained, but in a new spot...........If it`s a fistula, you sometimes you just have to deal. And, hopefully that is what your Mother has........Dee