Endoanal advancement flap repair for complex anorectal fistulas

BACKGROUND: Most anorectal fistulas may be safely and reliably treated by fistulotomy. However, certain complex fistulas (e.g., rectovaginal fistulas, high transsphincteric tracts, Crohn's disease) are not well suited to this technique. Few satisfactory alternatives exist. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of endoanal advancement flap repair for these difficult fistulas. METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive patients underwent endoanal advancement flap repair of a complex anorectal fistula. Patients were followed up via a prospective database. Demographic information, the presence of previous fistula surgery, and surgical complications were noted. Patients were closely followed up until healing of the fistula or treatment failure was noted. RESULTS: The overall initial healing rate was 81% (27 of 33). However, 3 patients with perianal Crohn's disease ultimately developed a recurrent fistula. There were no major complications and two minor urinary complications. No patient required hospital readmission, and there were no new problems with fecal incontinence. No patient required a colostomy. CONCLUSION: Endoanal advancement flap repair is effective in a variety of difficult, complicated anorectal fistulas. Since the morbidity is quite low, it should be attempted prior to fecal diversion, when possible, in these settings.     

Endorectal flap advancement repair and fistulectomy for high trans-sphincteric and suprasphincteric fistulas

BACKGROUND: Low-lying trans-sphincteric anal fistulas respond well to simple fistulectomy or fistulotomy. However, management of high fistulas has long been a serious problem because of the necessity of preserving at least some of the sphincter mechanism. The clinical results of endorectal flap advancement and fistulectomy for complex anal fistulas were assessed. METHODS: A total of 103 consecutive patients with high trans-sphincteric (n = 91) and suprasphincteric (n = 12) fistulas undergoing endorectal advancement flap repair together with core fistulectomy were included in a prospective study. Clinical outcome was assessed in terms of continence and recurrence by an independent observer for a period of 1 year after operation. RESULTS: Successful healing was achieved in 96 patients (93 per cent). Recurrent fistula occurred in six (7 per cent) of the 91 patients in the trans-sphincteric group and in one of the 12 patients in the suprasphincteric group. Continence disturbance was noted in eight patients (8 per cent). Previous repair and the level of the fistula did not adversely affect the results obtained. CONCLUSION: Core fistulectomy associated with endorectal advancement flap repair is a safe and effective technique for any high trans-sphincteric and suprasphincteric fistula, with good results in terms of recurrence and anal continence.     

Ano-cutaneous flap repair for complex and recurrent supra-sphincteric anal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Suprasphincteric fistulae remain the most difficult to cure. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing rate of suprasphincteric anal fistula treated by ano-cutaneous advancement flap repair, and the impact of this procedure on continence and quality of life. METHOD: Sixteen patients with complex, recurrent or chronic suprasphincteric fistulae associated with significant tissue damage (necrotizing fasciitis, keyhole deformity and anal stenosis) or who had failed previous surgical procedures were treated by ano-cutaneous flap closure. They were assessed pre and postoperatively by the treating surgeon for wound healing and fistula recurrence and later followed up by phone interview using the St Mark's Hospital incontinence score and the Perianal Disease Activity Index (PDAI) as indicators of treatment outcome. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had successful healing of their fistula with the cutaneous flap, with recurrence in only one. The most common short-term complications were minor graft site wound separation, which healed in all cases without intervention, and wound pain, which settled over time and was not associated with recurrence. Continence improved for almost 70% of the patients, with a significant reduction in St Mark's incontinence scores (t = 2.62, 15 d.f., P = 0.02). PDAI also decreased significantly (t = 7.55, 15 d.f., P < 0.001), demonstrating improvement in quality of life for most patients. CONCLUSION: Ano-cutaneous flap can achieve healing of complex and recurrent suprasphincteric anal fistula in patients who had previously failed at other forms of treatment thus improving their quality of life and continence.     

Is ITP really a desirable indication for teaching laparoscopic splenectomy? Cohort study

Background : To evaluate the results of a combination of fistulectomy with a rectal advancement flap and an anal fistula plug in the treatment of transsphincteric anal fistulas.

Method : All patients with a transsphincteric fistula and a limited number of anterior intersphincteric fistulas in female patients were registered from July 1st, 2010 until November 30th, 2012.

All operations were performed by one surgeon (CdG). Patient data and results (healing, continence) were collected in a prospective database.

Results : 28 patients were treated with a healing rate of 75% after one procedure. Four out of seven patients who failed to heal underwent a redo anal fistula plug and rectal advancement flap. Three of them were cured. Cumulative healing rate was 86% after two procedures. There were four minor complications. Mean postoperative Wexner score was 0.62. Conclusion : Combination of anal fistula plug and rectal advancement flap in treating transsphincteric anal fistulas can result in good healing rates with minimal incontinence.     

直肠黏膜瓣内口修补术

目的：评价经肛直肠黏膜瓣内口修补术（Transanal rectal advancement flapTRAF)治疗高位肛瘘的价值。方法：回顾性分析，23例高位肛瘘病例TRAF术后，远期治愈率，复发率，肛门失禁率并与同期文献比较。结果：23例患者全部治愈，其中1例伤口感染经换药2周后痊愈无复发和肛门失禁病例，与同期文献报道的挂线术术后远期治愈率，复发率，以及肛门失禁率比较差异有显著性意义。结论：直肠黏膜瓣内口修补术作为一种新的保存肛门括约肌的手术方式具有治愈率高，复发率低，无肛门失禁的优势，值得推广应用。     

Early Experience with the Bioabsorbable Anal Fistula Plug

PURPOSE: Management of anal fistula represents a balance between curing the condition and maintaining anal continence. Recent reports of the results of the porcine anal fistula plug have demonstrated excellent fistula healing rates without reporting significant complications. METHODS: The outcome of patients who underwent treatment for anal fistula with the Surgisis anal plug was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty patients were treated; three underwent concomitant anal advancement flap at the time of plug placement. Seventeen patients had a trans-sphincteric fistula, and three had an anoperineal fistula. Ten patients had previously undergone failed surgical therapy to cure their fistula, including anal advancement flap in four, muscle interposition flap in two, fistulotomy in two, and cutting seton placement in two. Mean follow-up was 7.4 months. Only 4 of 17 (24%) patients treated with the plug alone had closure of their fistula. Acute postoperative sepsis was seen in 5 of 17 (29%) patients treated with the plug alone. Four developed perianal abscesses that required incision and drainage, and one intersphincteric abscess was treated with antibiotics. Two of the patients who underwent concomitant anal advancement flaps and plug placement healed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to other published series, the use of the Surgisis anal plug was associated with a low rate of fistula healing and a high incidence of perianal sepsis. The addition of a transanal advancement flap to the procedure may improve success rates.     

Bioprosthetic plugs for complex anal fistulas: an early experience

PURPOSE: The goal in the treatment of anal fistulas is to eliminate the fistula without a change in continence. No single technique exists that is appropriate for the treatment of all fistulas. Options include fistulotomy, use of setons, fibrin sealant, and advancement flaps. Recently, a bioprosthetic fistula plug has been described. The purpose of this study is to report the author's early experience with the bioprosthetic fistula plug and to compare the results of bioprosthetic plug closure of complex anal fistulas with those achieved with advancement flap repair. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed for patients treated with an anal fistula. Data collected included age, gender, fistula anatomy and etiology, previous repairs, comorbidities, procedure performed, pain scores, and fistula recurrence. RESULTS: Overall, 95 patients comprised the control group (43 men and 52 women), with transsphincteric or rectovaginal fistulas in 51 and 44 patients, respectively, managed by advancement flap repair of their fistula. The fistula recurred in 31 patients (32.6%) during a median follow-up of 10 months. Overall,18 patients had their fistula managed using the porcine fistula plug (12 men and 6 women), with transsphincteric or rectovaginal fistulas in 13 and 5 patients, respectively. The fistula recurred in 2 patients (12%) during a median follow-up of 6 months. CONCLUSION: Use of a porcine fistula plug for the management of complex anal fistulas is a new technique that, in the early experience, seems to yield results similar to advancement flap repair.     

Pre-operative assessment of anal fistulas using endoanal ultrasound

Objective To study the accuracy of endoanal ultrasound in pre‐operative assessment of cryptoglandular anal fistulas, with respect to the site of the internal opening, type and depth of the fistula tract. Patients and methods A consecutive series of 151 patients with anal sepsis underwent pre‐operative endoanal ultrasound assessment of a suspected anal fistula. Hydrogen peroxide was used to define the tract when there was doubt as to the course of the fistula. All patients subsequently had surgical exploration under anaesthesia, irrespective of findings at sonography. The site of the internal opening, depth and type of fistula were recorded at surgery, and concordance with the ultrasound was assessed. Results One hundred and forty‐five patients were subsequently shown to have a fistula at surgical exploration. Type of fistula: Two thirds were transsphincteric (63%) and one third were inter sphincteric (32%), with a few submucosal, and supra sphincteric fistulas. Ultrasound correctly predicted surgical findings in 82% of patients (124/151). Concordance was highest for transsphincteric fistulas (87%). Internal opening: Accuracy of predicting the site of the internal opening was 93% (140/151). The commonest site for the internal opening was the midline posteriorly (49%), followed by the midline anteriorly (25%), the rest lay laterally. Fistula depth: Ultrasound and surgical assessment of the depth of fistulas was concordant in 120 of 145 patients (83%). Conclusions Endoanal ultrasound has a high accuracy of predicting the site of internal opening of an anal fistula. Endoanal ultrasound is able to assess the type and depth of a fistula. This information is useful for pre‐operative planning of fistula treatment.     

Salvage Abdominoperineal Resection and Perineal Wound Healing in Local Recurrent or Persistent Anal Cancer

The primary treatment for anal cancer is chemoradiation (CRT). Failures after CRT are potentially curable with an abdominoperineal resection (APR). A major problem of surgery in the anal area is poor healing of the perineal wound. Between 1985 and 2000, 129 patients treated for anal cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 24 patients with local failure, 18 patients were treated with an APR. The aim of this study was to review the results and long-term outcome after salvage APR, with special emphasis on perineal wound healing. Mean age at diagnosis was 59 (range: 41–83) years. After a median of 16 months, only 2 patients developed a local recurrence. The 5-year overall survival was 30%. In 11 patients the perineal wound was closed primarily, in 3 patients the perineal wound was left open, and in 4 patients a vertical rectus abdominus musculocutaneous (VRAM) flap was used. Perineal wound breakdown occurred in 5 of the 14 patients (36%) not treated with primary muscle reconstruction. In all patients treated with a VRAM flap the perineal wound healed primarily. In the present study salvage APR in recurrent or persistent anal cancer results in good local control and 5-year overall survival of 30%. When performing an APR a VRAM flap reconstruction should be considered to prevent disabling perineal wound complications.     

Rectal flap advancement – a simple and effective approach for the treatment of rectourethral fistula

Objective Rectourethral fistula is a rare complication of prostatic surgery and other pelvic procedures. We report our experience of surgical repair of using a rectal advancement flap. Patients Three patients with rectourethral fistula following prostatic surgery were treated. Two patients had an anterior partial thickness of rectal flap advancement via a trans‐anal approach without urinary or faecal diversion. In one patient a rectal flap repair was performed through a posterior transsphincteric approach following urinary and faecal diversion. Results No significant postoperative complications occured. Healing was successful in each patient and faecal and urinary continence was normal. Conclusion Transanal rectal advancement flap is a simple and effective technique for the treatment of a rectourethral fistula with no need for urinary or faecal diversion.     

Anal fissure of cryptoglandular origin. Therapeutic options

Anal fistula is a frequent condition. The most commonly accepted origin is infectious. The most widely used classification is based on cryptoglandular theory and on the position of the fistulous tract in relation to the anal sphincter. Physical examination will help to identify the type of fistula and allow its treatment to be planned. The most widely used complementary tests are endoanal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. We review the various therapeutic options and their results, especially fistulotomy, endorectal advancement flap, use of sedal, anodermal advancement flap, sphincterorrhaphy with sphincter repair, and fibrin glue.     

Management of urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair: 10 years' experience.

OBJECTIVES: To report the outcome of managing urethrocutaneous fistula after hypospadias repair over 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients (mean age 7.6 years, range 2-18) underwent repair of 57 urethrocutaneous fistulae after hypospadias surgery. The fistula was single in 37 patients and multiple in 10; 42 fistulae were small (< 4 mm) and 15 large (> 4 mm). Twenty-one fistulae were at the corona, 15 at the anterior shaft, 16 at the mid-shaft and five were penoscrotal. The interval between primary hypospadias repair and the first attempt at fistula repair was 6-12 months. Small fistulae were repaired using a multilayer simple closure technique, and large fistulae repaired using rotational and advancement skin flaps. Suprapubic urinary diversion was used in all patients with large fistulae or small multiple fistulae (25 patients); an overnight urethral catheter was used in the remaining patients. RESULTS: Simple closure was successful in 30 of 42 small fistulae (71%); eight were successfully closed by secondary closure, while four needed a third closure. Rotational and advancement skin flaps were successful in 13 of 15 large fistulae; one required secondary flap repair and one was closed simply. Most recurrences (78%) were of coronal fistulae; there was recurrence in four of 25 (16%) patients in whom suprapubic diversion was used, in contrast to 10 of 22 (45%) with no suprapubic diversion. CONCLUSIONS: Although simple closure of a fistula is easy and not time-consuming it is followed by a significantly higher rate of recurrence than when skin flaps are used. Rotational and advancement flaps are the optimal methods for repairing fistulae after hypospadias, particularly for large and coronal fistulae. Thus, the appropriate indication for simple closure is small fistulae at the penile shaft. Suprapubic diversion is important in those with large or multiple fistulae.     

Impacto de los colgajos transanales de avance en la continencia fecal

Objective

The aim of this study was the prospective evaluation of the functional results of a series endorectal advancement flaps in the treatment of complex anal fistulas.

Material and methods

A total of 90 patients were operated on for a complex anal fistula by means of fistulectomy and endorectal advancement flap. The functional results were evaluated using the Wexner continence scale and an anorectal manometry study before and after surgery.

Results

There were seven patients with fistula recurrence (7.7%) and the same surgical procedure was performed on five of them, resulting in healing in all cases. Significant reductions in maximum resting pressure (83.85±30.96 vs 46.51±18.67; p<0.001) and maximum squeeze pressure (220.97±100.21 vs 183.06±75.36; p<0.001) were seen 3 months after surgery. On the continence scale, 80% of patients had a normal continence with a value of 0 on thepostoperative Wexner scale, while 20% recorded changes in continence values, most of them lower than 3 points.

Conclusions

Endorectal advancement flap is an effective surgical procedure in complex anal fistulas treatment, with a low recurrence rate. Only 20% of the patients showed changes in the continence value.     

尿道下裂修复术后尿道皮肤瘘的治疗

目的:探讨尿道下裂修复术后尿道皮肤瘘尿瘘的治疗方法.方法:收集1995～2004年间42例尿瘘的临床资料.根据瘘口的大小和位置分别采用简单缝合术,Y-V皮瓣成形术、皮瓣推进术进行修补.结果:42例尿瘘修补后39例成功,3例失败,一次修补成功率93%(39/42).结论:遵循尿瘘的修复原则,采用皮瓣技术和多层缝合技术,可提高尿瘘修补的成功率.     

尿道下裂术后尿瘘的修复

目的 提高尿道下裂术后尿瘘修复的成功率。方法 报告５４例６９个瘘孔采用不同修补方法修复尿道下裂术后尿瘘的结果。结果 采用结扎包埋法修补１个小瘘孔,１０个一次修补成功;简单皮瓣转移法修补瘘孔１３个,成功８个;Ｙ－Ｖ皮瓣法修补１７个瘘孔,成功１５个;旋转皮瓣法修补瘘孔４个,成功３个;采用改良的Ｔｈｉｅｒｓｃｈ二期尿道成形术候补直径１０ｎｍ以上的瘘孔２０个,１７个一次候补成功;各种候补方法总成功率为７２     

肛管直肠内超声在复杂肛瘘诊断中的价值（附45例报告）

目的探讨肛管直肠内超声在复杂肛瘘的临床应用价值。方法对45例复杂性多分支肛瘘管患者进行肛管直肠内超声检查,并结合术中所见以及术后随访对超声结果的价值进行评价。结果肛管直肠内超声可以清晰显示复杂肛瘘瘘管在肛周组织中的走行,并可协助寻找内口。术中探查证实与术前腔内超声提示窦道走形一致者占97.78%。结论肛管直肠内超声技术对于复杂肛瘘的术前诊断具有重要价值。     

Comparative Study of Conventional Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy, V-Y Anoplasty, and Tailored Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy with V-Y Anoplasty in the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure

Background

Lateral internal sphincterotomy has been proven highly effective in curing anal fissure but with a high incidence of postoperative incontinence.

Objective

We compared conventional lateral internal sphincterotomy, V-Y advancement flap, and combined tailored lateral internal sphincterotomy with V-Y advancement flap in treating anal fissure.

Patients

Consecutive patients treated for anal fissure at our colorectal unit were evaluated for inclusion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive conventional sphincterotomy (GI), V-Y advancement flap (GII), or combined tailored lateral sphincterotomy with V-Y advancement l flap (GIII).

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measure was the incontinence rate; secondary outcomes included healing rate, operative time, anal manometery, and recurrence rate.

Results

One hundred fifty patients with chronic anal fissure were randomized. Healing rate after 1?year was 84?% in GI, 48?% in GII, and 94?% in GIII, respectively (P?=?0.001). The recurrence rate was 4?% in G1, 22?% in GII, and 2?% in GIII (P?=?0.01). Incontinence rate was 14?% in GI, 0?% in GII, and 2?% in GIII (P?=?0.03).

Conclusion

Although all three procedures are simple and easy to perform, tailored lateral internal sphincterotomy with V-YF appears to produce the greatest healing rate, with the fewest complications and less rate of recurrence.     

Changing patterns of treatment for chronic anal fissure.

To assess changing patterns of treatment for chronic anal fissure, a retrospective analysis of treatment for chronic anal fissure within one hospital between January 1990 and December 1996 was undertaken. A total of 221 patients received treatment for a chronic anal fissure in this period, of whom 209 had a surgical procedure. Manual dilatation of the anus was performed in 21 patients (10%) and has not been performed since 1995. Lateral internal sphincterotomy was performed in 183 patients (88%) and continues to be the mainstay of treatment. Five female patients (2%) were identified as having a sphincter defect by anal manometry combined with endoanal ultrasound and were treated by an anal advancement flap. From 1996 onwards, 15 patients (7%) were treated by topical glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) paste as the first line of treatment. Of these patients, nine have experienced healing of their fissure, and three have had relief of pain without healing of the fissure. Three have gone on to have a lateral internal sphincterotomy. Lateral internal sphincterotomy remains the primary form of treatment for chronic anal fissure. GTN cream has increasingly been offered as preliminary treatment over the last 12 months. Perioperative use of endoanal ultrasound allowed identification of patients who may be at high risk of postoperative incontinence from a sphincterotomy. An anal advancement flap has been used as an alternative surgical approach for these patients.     

Anal fistula plug and fibrin glue versus conventional treatment in repair of complex anal fistulas

Introduction

High transsphincteric fistulas are difficult to treat because fistulotomy of involved sphincter muscle results in incontinence. We compare our outcomes for anal fistula plug, fibrin glue, advancement flap closure, and seton drain insertion.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of patients treated for high transsphincteric anal fistulas. The primary outcome was full healing at 12 weeks postoperatively.

Results

Between 1997 and 2008, 232 patients with anal fistula were identified in the St. Paul's Hospital Anal Fistula Database. Postoperative healing rates at the 12-week follow-up for the fistula plug, fibrin glue, flap advancement, and seton drain groups were 59.3%, 39.1%, 60.4%, and 32.6%, respectively (P < .0001).

Conclusions

Closure of the primary fistula opening using a biological anal fistula plug and anal flap advancement result in similar fistula healing rates in patients with high transsphincteric fistulae. These 2 strategies are superior to seton placement and fibrin glue. Given the low morbidity and relative simplicity of the procedure, the anal fistula plug is a viable alternative treatment for patients with high transsphincteric anal fistulas.     

Comparison of Preoperative Endoanal Ultrasonography with Intraoperative Findings for Fistula In Ano

Background  

Fistula in ano is a common benign anal condition seen in surgical practice. If fistula anatomy is incorrectly delineated or an occult abscess is missed, there is a risk of incomplete healing, recurrence of the fistula, or even iatrogenic sphincter injury from surgery resulting in anal incontinence. Therefore, an imaging modality ideally would provide accurate information that can be used to delineate the tract(s) prior to surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of endoanal ultrasonography (EAUS) during the preoperative assessment of anal fistula tracts in respect to the type of the fistula, horseshoeing of the tract, and localized collections.