Humans ; Rectal Fistula ; surgery ; therapy

Anal fistula is a common disease. It is also quite difficult to be solved without recurrence or damage to the anal sphincter. Several techniques have been described for the management of anal fistula, but there is no final conclusion of their application in the treatment. This article summarizes the history of anal fistula management, the current techniques available, and describes new technologies. Internet online searches were performed from the CNKI and Wanfang databases to identify articles about anal fistula management including seton, fistulotomy, fistulectomy, LIFT operation, biomaterial treatment and new technology application. Every fistula surgery technique has its own place, so it is reasonable to give comprehensive individualized treatment to different patients, which may lead to reduced recurrence and avoidance of damage to the anal sphincter. New technologies provide promising alternatives to traditional methods of management. Surgeons still need to focus on the invention and improvement of the minimally invasive techniques. Besides, a new therapeutic idea is worth to explore that the focus of surgical treatment should be transferred to prevention of the formation of anal fistula after perianal abscess.
Anus Diseases ; surgery ; Humans ; Rectal Fistula ; surgery ; Recurrence

Anal Canal/surgery* ; Humans ; Rectal Fistula/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) in the treatment of complex fistula-in-ano.

METHODSClinical data of 24 patients with complex fistula-in-ano who treated with LIFT in the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from September 2009 to February 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The operative efficacy and postoperative continence were evaluated.

RESULTSThe prime success rate of fistula healing was 66.7% (16/24) after the LIFT procedure. Two patients presented with intersphincteric incision infection which was successfully treated with topical of silver nitrate. Four patients had intersphincteric fistula with infection and managed with the complete laying open approach. The total clinical healing rate was 91.7% (22/24). Another 2 patients had persistent external opening with discharge. During follow-up of 6 to 44 (median 16) months, The Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence score revealed that no patient developed decreased continence.

CONCLUSIONLIFT is a safe and effective sphincter-preserve procedure for complex fistula-in-ano.

Anus Diseases ; surgery ; Fecal Incontinence ; Humans ; Ligation ; Rectal Fistula ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application of aoptimizedtechniquebased onpreviouslyreported protecting stoma with no need forreversal.

METHODSThetechniquealso used "the assembly of drainage device" to performprotecting ileostomy. The original method includes enterotomy at the terminal ileum to placedrainage device, which was optimized as follows: two intestinal pursestring with 0.5 cm distance were placed 5 cm away from the ileocecal valve. Transverse enterotomy was performed in the anti-mesenteric side. The assembly was placed at the root of the appendix between two pursestring, and then the intestine purse suture was tighten. Ligation of the small intestine anastomosis between the anastomosis ring at both ends was carried out, and theanastomosis ring was deployed. From the root of the appendix in the cecum wall, the assembly was embedded about 2 cm and pulled out of abdominal cavitythough the Trocar hole.

RESULTSSeventeen cases of ultra-low rectal cancer completed protecting stoma, including 11 cases through ileocecal protective stoma. All the anastomosis healed well. Defecation drainage tube was removed 3-5 weeks after anastomosis ring degradation. Drainage nozzle healed after 3 to 5 days, and no complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONThe optimized ileocecal protective ileostomy has the following advantages: (1)wound healing time is significantly shorter. (2)secondary intestinal fistula can be prevented. (3)no need to fix ileum and less chance of subsequent volvulus, intestinal obstruction.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Defecation ; Drainage ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; methods ; Ileum ; surgery ; Intestinal Fistula ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Surgical Stomas

This study evaluates low transsphincteric anal fistula managed by serial setons and interval fistulotomy, with attention to healing without recurrence and preservation of continence. Following Institutional Review Board approval, consecutive anal fistula operations performed by a single surgeon from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2013 were retrospectively reviewed using electronic medical records and telephone interviews for patients lost to follow up. Of the 71 patients, 26 (37%) had low transsphincteric fistula (23 males and 3 females; mean age: 46 years), treated at our institution by seton placement followed by interval surgical muscle cutting and subsequent seton replacement or final fistulotomy. Of the 26 patients, 22 (85%) were initially referred due to previous failed treatment, with a 30.6 month mean duration of fistula prior to referral and a mean of 2.2 (range: 0 -6) prior anorectal surgeries. At a mean follow-up of 11.9 months, none of the 21 patients experienced recurrence or fecal incontinence. Serial seton with interval muscle-cutting sphincterotomy followed by complete fistulotomy is an effective treatment for the management of patients who are either initially seen for low transsphincteric fistula, or referred after failed anorectal surgery for that condition.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Fistula ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Female ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and experience of gracilis muscle transposition for complex rectovaginal fistula (RVF) and rectourethral fistula (RUF).

METHODSNineteen patients underwent gracilis muscle transposition for complex RVF and RUF from May 2009 to November 2011 in the Beijing Shijitan Hospital and the clinical data were prospectively collected. The success rate and complications were recorded. SF-36 quality of life score, Wexner fecal incontinence score, and female sexual function score before surgery and 6 months after surgery were recorded.

RESULTSIn 19 patients, there were 8 males (RUF) and 11 females (RUF). The times of failed attempt repair preoperatively ranged from 0-3 (mean, 1.0). The diameter of the fistula ranged from 0.5-3.0 cm (mean, 1.6), and all fistulas located above the sphincter. The operative time ranged from 145-400 minutes (median, 240). The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 10-39 days (median 21). Early postoperative complications included thigh pain and numbness in 2 cases, leg numbness in 2 cases. No long-term complications were noticed. The follow-up period ranged from 6-35 months (median, 18). The gracilis muscle transposition had a healing rate of 94.7% (18/19). As compared with the preoperative level, Wexner score decreased from 10.0±8.8 to 2.9±5.8, and the continence function improved significantly (P=0.002). Sexual function score of 11 female patients increased from 1.0±1.8 to 4.0±4.0, and the sexual function had a significant improvement after surgery (P=0.022). SF-36 quality of life scores improved significantly (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSGracilis muscle transposition for complex rectovaginal fistula and rectourethral fistula has high success rate with mild and rare complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Fistula ; surgery ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Thigh ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethra ; surgery ; Urinary Fistula ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of modified ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract for simple transsphincteric perianal fistula.

METHODSSeventy patients with simple transsphincteric perianal fistula between October 2012 and January 2014 in our department were prospectively enrolled. According to the random number table, patients were divided into two groups: modified-LIFT group (37 cases, from the external opening close to the fistula, dissect the external sphincter fistula to the intersphincteric groove by tunneling technique, resect the lateral free fistula) and LIFT group (33 cases). Clinical parametres before and after operation were compared, and results of pelvic electromyogram (EMG) and anorectal manometry three months after operation were analyzed to evaluated anal function.

RESULTSThe operative time, pain score, hospital stay, and healing time were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). During the median follow-up of 12 months (3-20 months), the healing rate in modified-LIFT group was 83.8% (31/37), which was significantly higher than 60% (20/33) in LIFT group (P=0.029). After operation, 4 patients had persistent unhealed wound, 2 recurred in modified-LIFT group, while 8 patients had persistent unhealed wound, and 5 recurred in LIFT group. No patients developed anal incontinence. By the pelvic EMG and anorectal manometry 3 months after operation, the duration of motor unit potential, occurrence of simple phase, mean resting pressure and maximun squeeze pressure were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONModified-LIFT procedure for the management of simple transsphincteric perianal fistulas is a simple and effective operation with higher healing rate and similar anal function as LIFT.

Anus Diseases ; surgery ; Humans ; Ligation ; Operative Time ; Pelvis ; Pressure ; Rectal Fistula ; surgery ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) in treatment of complex anal fistula.

METHODSClinical data of 87 patients with complex anal fistula undergoing operation at Department of General Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from September 2015 to December 2016 were collected to conduct a cohort study. The operative procedure depended on economic conditions and patient preference. Patients were divided into VAAFT group (42 cases) and traditional fistula resection plus seton (FRS) group (45 cases). The procedure of FRS was to completely remove the fistula along external wall, the inner opening and surrounding scar tissues, then, the inner opening was closed with absorbable suture. For deeper and more complex fistula, the above procedure should be combined with seton. Based on the concept of endoscopic minimally invasive surgery, VAAFT could deal with the fistula and inner opening under direct vision. The brief steps were as follows: insertion of the anal fistula scope through external opening into the fistula; continuous injection of glycine-mannitol solution to expand and clean the foul fistula; electrocoagulation of all lesions; clearance of burnt tissues from the lumen with endoscopic brush and forceps; injection of medical fibrin glue through the inner opening; closing the inner opening by suture. Intraoperative and postoperative indices were compared between two groups.

RESULTSVAAFT group included 33 males and 9 females with mean age of (37.4±13.5) years, mean BMI of (24.3±3.2) kg/m, and mean disease course of (4.8±3.9) months. Of 42 cases, 5 had preoperative diabetes mellitus, 31 were high fistula and 11 were low fistula. FRS group included 32 males and 13 females with mean age of (42.1±15.6) years, mean BMI of (24.8±3.7) kg/m, and mean disease course of (5.7±3.6) months. Of 45 cases, 4 had preoperative diabetes mellitus, 37 were high fistula and 8 were low fistula. There were no significant differences in baseline data between two groups(all P>0.05). Compared with FRS group, VAAFT group had significantly shorter operative time [(44.6±10.5) minutes vs. (57.4±12.3) minutes, t=5.203, P=0.000], lower incidence of postoperative bleeding (14.3% vs. 33.3%,χ²=4.304, P=0.038), less pain (Visual Analogue Scale,VAS) (2.9±1.8 vs. 7.3±1.2, t=13.500, P=0.000), faster pain relief [(1.0±0.8) days vs. (4.5±1.2) days, t=15.890, P=0.000] and shorter hospital stay [(4.1±3.5) days vs.(7.5±2.3) days, t=5.389, P=0.000]. However, there were no significant differences between two groups in urinary retention rate, first postoperative fecal time and postoperative infection rate(all P>0.05). All patients were followed up for more than 6 months, FRS group had significantly higher incidence of anal incontinence than VAAFT group (20.0% vs. 2.4%, Fisher P=0.015). However, no significant difference in recurrence rate was found between VAAFT and FRS group(7.1% vs. 15.6%, Fisher P=0.317).

CONCLUSIONSCompared to traditional FRS treatment, VAAFT possesses some advantages in less injury, less pain, faster recovery, and lower postoperative anal incontinence rate. Thus, VAAFT is a superior operative choice in treatment of patients with complex anal fistula.

Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Fecal Incontinence ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Fistula ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Video-Assisted Surgery ; Young Adult