Anterior horseshoe fistulae

A series of anal fistulae is presented in which a high proportion were anterior horseshoe fistulae. The incidence of this type of fistula in this series is higher than that previously reported. It can be recognised by a study of the position of the track by palpation, and the distance from the anal verge of the external opening. A meticulous dissection at operation is required. In order to get good results it is important that this clinical entity be recognised and managed with the same care and attention that is required for a posterior horseshoe fistula.     

VIDEO-ASSISTED ANAL FISTULA TREATMENT: TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE FIRST BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE

Backgroung

Anorectal fistula represents an epithelized communication path of infectious origin between the rectum or anal canal and the perianal region. The association of endoscopic surgery with the minimally invasive approach led to the development of the video-assisted anal fistula treatment.

Aim

To describe the technique and initial experience with the technique video-assisted for anal fistula treatment.

Technique

A Karl Storz video equipment was used. Main steps included the visualization of the fistula tract using the fistuloscope, the correct localization of the internal fistula opening under direct vision, endoscopic treatment of the fistula and closure of the internal opening which can be accomplished through firing a stapler, cutaneous-mucosal flap, or direct closure using suture.

Results

The mean distance between the anal verge and the external anal orifice was 5.5 cm. Mean operative time was 31.75 min. In all cases, the internal fistula opening could be identified after complete fistuloscopy. In all cases, internal fistula opening was closed using full-thickness suture. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. After a 5-month follow-up, recurrence was observed in one (12.5%) patient.

Conclusion

Video-assisted anal fistula treatment is feasible, reproducible, and safe. It enables direct visualization of the fistula tract, internal opening and secondary paths.     

Histological identification of epithelium in perianal fistulae: a prospective study

Aim A procedure often performed following fistulotomy and advancement flap is curettage of the fistula tract after fistulotomy or after closing the internal opening. Epithelialization of the fistula tract might prevent closure of the fistula tract. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and origin of epithelialization of the fistula tract in patients with perianal fistulae undergoing fistulotomy. Method Only patients with low perianal fistulae that were surgically treated by fistulotomy were included. Surgical biopsies were taken from the fistula tract from three different locations; on the proximal side at the internal opening, in the middle of the fistula tract and near the distal end close to the external opening. Results In the study period, 18 patients with low perianal fistulae were included. In 15 of the 18 patients, squamous epithelium was found at least in one of the biopsies taken from the fistula tract. Epithelium was predominantly found near the internal opening. There was no relation between the duration of fistula complaints and the amount of epithelialization (P = 0.301). The amount of epithelium was not related to the presence of a history of fistula surgery (P = 1.000). Conclusion This study demonstrated epithelialization in the fistula tract in the majority of the patients surgically treated by fistulotomy for low perianal fistulae. Curettage of perianal fistulae must therefore be considered an essential step in the surgical treatment of perianal fistula.     

两种手术方式治疗高位肛瘘疗效的比较

目的探讨治疗高位肛瘘较为可靠有效的手术方式。方法对2002年1月至2004年1月收治的117例高位肛瘘患者分别用肛门外瘘管切除缝合加肛管内主管挂线法(切除组,62例)和肛门外瘘管旷置加肛管内主管挂线法(旷置组,55例)治疗;对两组患者的治愈时间、复发情况进行对照分析。结果切除组高位单纯肛瘘37例,高位复杂肛瘘25例;旷置组高位单纯肛瘘39例,高位复杂肛瘘16例。切除组患者的治愈时间为15-20(17±2)d,随访半年以上无复发病例。旷置组患者的治愈时间25-55(35±8)d,6例(10.9%)复发脓肿性肛瘘,其中1例(2.6%)术前诊断为高位单纯性肛瘘,5例(31.3%)为高位复杂性肛瘘。对于治疗高位复杂性肛瘘的疗效,两种方法比较,χ2=6.23,P=0.013;两组总体疗效比较,χ2=5.06,P=0.024;差异均具有统计学意义。结论肛门外瘘管切除缝合加肛管内主管挂线法用于高位复杂性肛瘘的治疗可获得较好的效果。     

Proposal: a score to select patients for fistulotomy

Traditionally the distance between the inner opening and the anal verge is considered when making the decision to lay open an anal fistula or not. In contrast to this, the score presented here includes the distance to the upper border of the puborectalis muscle or to the external sphincter (anteriorly). In addition this score also takes various aspects of bowel function into consideration.     

Anography: a technique for determining the location of the internal opening in perianal fistula

Aim Anography is a radiological investigation for fistula‐in‐ano that identifies the primary fistula track through the internal opening. The efficacy of anography as a radiological method of identifying the location of the internal opening was investigated. Method A retrospective study of 50 patients with a clinical diagnosis of fistula‐in‐ano of criptoglandular aetiology was performed. During anography, the location of the internal opening was recorded with respect to the quadrant of anal canal and distance from the anal verge. These data were compared with the findings during examination under anaesthesia (EUA), which was used as the gold standard for the identification of the internal opening. Results The sensitivity of anography for identifying a patent internal opening was 91% and specificity 100%. There was complete agreement between anography reports and findings at EUA regarding the quadrant of anal canal in which the internal opening was located. In more than 90% of patients, the internal opening was found at EUA within 1 cm from the site described on anography. Conclusion Anography is an accurate test for predicting the exact quadrant of the anal canal in which the internal opening is located, as well as the distance of the internal opening from the anal verge. This inexpensive and simple radiological investigation should be the test of first choice in the evaluation of patients with fistula‐in‐ano when difficulty is anticipated in identifying the internal opening.     

Mucinous carcinoma of the anal canal arising from perianal fistula

Background

Anal carcinomas account for 1.5% of all gastrointestinal carcinomas. They may occur in the anal canal, perianal region (up to 5 cm) and surrounding skin. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most frequent type (80%), while adenocarcinoma of the anal canal (ACC) accounts for 10% of all anal carcinomas. The remaining 5% includes neuroendocrine neoplasms, mesenchymal tumours, lymphomas, melanocyte tumours and secondary tumours. ACCs arise from chronic fistula or anal glands and they are very rare.

Methods

We report one case of rare adenocarcinoma that originated from perianal fistula. There is not definitive strategy about cure.

Conclusion

Inflammatory perianal tumour often causes late diagnosis or misdiagnosis of ACC, which is due to frequent perianal abscesses at the external perianal fistula opening. The presence of mucin may increase the index of suspicion for malignancy.

     

Insights gained from the management of problematical anal fistulae at St. Mark's Hospital, 1984-88

Twenty-four (3.6 percent) patients with problematical anal fistulae out of 671 with anal fistulae were analysed to assess the reasons for their recurrences and ultimate outcome. Thirteen patients (group A) had recurrent fistulae despite two definitive attempts at surgery at this hospital (median number of previous procedures before referral to this hospital was two, range 0-7; median number of definitive procedures at this hospital was three, range 3-4). In five of these patients, the reason for recurrence was missed primary (four cases) or secondary tracks (one case) at earlier operations. Five patients required multiple operations related to the use of setons. Eleven other patients (group B) required colostomy construction, eight because of severe perianal sepsis, two because of complex fistulae, and one for postrectal dermoid. Fistula healing occurred ultimately in all patients in group A after a median of 14 months (range 4-38 months). In group B, fistula healing occurred in eight patients after a median of 7.5 months (range 2-55 months) after colostomy construction. Only one patient has had a proctectomy, and five still have their colostomy. Of the other 18 patients, continence is normal in 14, there is mucus leakage in two, flatus incontinence in one and faecal incontinence in one. In conclusion, persistent attempts to resolve anal fistulae in difficult cases are frequently successful in the long term and result in good continence.     

Anal fistula plug in the treatment of anal fistula: Local experience in Chinese patients

Background: Anal fistula plug was recently introduced as an alternative treatment for anal fistula. However, there is, so far, no published data on the use of the anal fistula plug both locally and in the Chinese population. Methods: From January 2007 to July 2008, consecutive Chinese patients with transphincteric or suprasphincteric anal fistula scheduled for elective surgery were enrolled. Anal fistula plug was used if examination under anaesthesia reviewed an internal opening. Baseline manometry pressure study was carried out for patients with recurrent fistulae. The operative technique was standardized. Measured outcomes included healing and recurrence rates, operating time, length of stay, and time for patients to return to work or normal activity. Results: Eleven patients underwent anal fistula plug placement, with a median follow up of 19 months. Five had completely healed fistulae, including three patients with recurrent fistulae. The success rate was 45 per cent. In the three patients with recurrent fistulae, no significant difference was demonstrated in the resting pressure between preoperative and postoperative values. There is an observable trend that proportionally more recurrent fistulae were healed by anal fistulae plug placement when compared to primary fistulae (100% vs 25%); the difference, however, did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.06, Fisher's exact test). At the conclusion of this study, no recurrence was noted in the five patients with confirmed healing. Conclusions: Our preliminary experience indicates anal fistula plug placement is safe and non-invasive. However, the efficacy appears lower than initially reported. Based on our data the routine use of an anal fistula plug cannot be recommended. In our opinion, anal fistula plug placement can be considered in patients with more complex, high fistulae and in those who have recurrent fistulae despite previous surgery. It provides a non-invasive alternative in these patients, in whom postoperative incontinence is a real concern.     

Staging rectourinary fistulas to guide surgical treatment

PURPOSE: Surgical management for rectourinary fistulas remains a reconstructive challenge. There are few guidelines to direct the surgeon to the most successful and least morbid technique. We developed a rectourinary fistula staging system that allows selection of the most appropriate technique for the patient. We present the details of the staging system and surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1999 to July 2005 we treated 14 male patients with rectourinary fistula. Mean patient age was 68 years (range 62 to 73). Etiology was rectal injury during open radical prostatectomy in 5 patients, laparoscopic prostatectomy in 1, radiation induced fistula for prostate cancer treatment (brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy) in 2, neoadjuvant external beam radiation therapy in 2, ischial decubitus ulcer in 3 with spinal cord injury, and cryotherapy and external beam radiation therapy in 1. Cases were staged as stage I--low (less than 4 cm from anal verge and nonirradiated), stage II--high (more than 4 cm from anal verge and nonirradiated), stage III--small (less than 2 cm irradiated fistula), stage IV--large (more than 2 cm irradiated fistula) and stage V--large (ischial decubitus fistula). Diverting colostomy was performed for stages III to V 6 weeks before definitive therapy. RESULTS: Patients were discharged home after 48 hours. A 22Fr urethral catheter maintained bladder drainage for 3 weeks until cystogram confirmed rectourinary fistula closure. Complications were superficial wound infection and postoperative reexploration of the gracilis flap due to bleeding in 1 case each. All patients were cured after a single operation. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical challenges of a variety of rectourinary fistula repairs can be managed with minimal morbidity and a high success rate using proper staging to guide urinary tract reconstruction.     

磁共振成像在复杂性肛瘘诊断中的应用

目的探讨磁共振成像（MRI）在复杂性肛瘘诊断中的应用价值。方法28例临床诊断为复杂性肛瘘的患者，术前进行磁共振相控阵列线圈检查。以手术结果为标准，比较术前指诊和MRI的诊断结果。结果有25例患者诊断为复杂性肛瘘，1例为骶前囊肿合并与直肠相通的瘘道，2例肛瘘伴癌变。25例肛瘘Parks分类显示：经括约肌肛瘘3例，括约肌间肛瘘10例，括约肌外肛瘘5例，括约肌上肛瘘7例；MRI与术前指诊检查结果比较，内口检出符合率为84％比48％；原发主管、支管或脓腔检出准确率为100％比76％、94．7％比57．9％；两种检查方法比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论应用MRI相控阵列线圈能准确定位复杂性肛瘘的内口、瘘管的走向及其与肛管直肠括约肌复合体之间的复杂关系，对排除肛瘘伴其他肛管直肠周围病变具有确切意义。     

肛瘘MRI术前诊断价值与术中结果对照分析

【摘要】〓目的〓探讨术前磁共振(MRI)检查对肛瘘的定位、分型的临床指导意义。方法〓50例肛瘘患者行MRI检查,根据MRI所见,定位瘘道位置,依据窦道与肛门内外括约肌关系进行分型,并与术中所见结果相对照。结果〓手术证实50例患者中,30例为单纯性肛瘘,20例为复杂性肛瘘。括约肌间型20例,经括约肌型12例,括约肌上型6例,括约肌外型3例,表浅型9例。原发性瘘管72个,内口78个,外口77个,肛周脓肿17个。MRI诊断原发瘘管、内口、肛周脓肿的灵敏度分别为93.1%、96.2%、100%,特异度分别为91.5%、97.5%、91.3%。结论〓MRI可准确地判断肛瘘的分型、瘘管数量、走行、支管、内口的位置及有无肛周脓肿形成,为临床手术治疗提供重要指导信息。     

Sphincter-saving resection for all rectal carcinomas: the end of the 2-cm distal rule

OBJECTIVE: To assess oncologic outcome of patients treated by conservative radical surgery for tumors below 5 cm from the anal verge. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Standard surgical treatment of low rectal cancer below 5 cm from the anal verge is abdominoperineal resection. METHODS: From 1990 to 2003, patients with a nonfixed rectal carcinoma at 4.5 cm or less from the anal verge and without external sphincter infiltration underwent conservative surgery. Surgery included total mesorectal excision with intersphincteric resection, that is, removal of the internal sphincter, to achieve adequate distal margin. Patients with T3 disease or internal sphincter infiltration received preoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients with a tumor at 3 (range 1.5-4.5) cm from the anal verge underwent conservative surgery. There was no mortality and morbidity was 27%. The rate of complete microscopic resection (R0) was 89%, with 98% negative distal margin and 89% negative circumferential margin. In 58 patients with a follow-up of more than 24 months, the rate of local recurrence was 2% and the 5-year overall and disease-free survival were 81% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of intersphincteric resection permits us to achieve conservative surgery in patients with a tumor close to or in the anal canal without compromising local control and survival. Tumor distance from the anal verge is no longer a limit for sphincter-saving resection.     

直肠癌术后直肠阴道瘘的危险因素分析

目的 探讨直肠癌术后直肠阴道瘘的危险因素与临床对策.方法 回顾分析1997～2008年1123例女性直肠癌手术患者的临床资料,应用SPSS软件对数据进行统计处理,采用X2检验.结果 34例(3.03%,34/1123)术后出现直肠阴道瘘.直肠阴道瘘发生与患者有无绝经、肿瘤距肛缘的距离、肿瘤位于直肠壁的部位、吻合方式密切相关(P<0.05),而与患者年龄、肿瘤T分期、术前放疗、预防性造口等无明显相关.34例患者中12例经保守治疗后自愈,余22例患者均在瘘后3月局部炎症消退后行修补术,在修补直肠阴道瘘的同时行近端肠造口使粪便转流.结论 直肠癌术后直肠阴道瘘与患者有无绝经、肿瘤距肛缘的距离、肿瘤位于直肠壁的部位、吻合方式密切相关.熟悉其病因,加强围手术前准备,选择正确的手术时机和手术方式可降低直肠阴道瘘的发生率.     

改良挂线术治疗远外口肛瘘76例临床分析

为探讨特殊类型肛瘘-远外口肛瘘的有效治疗方法,对76例远外口肛瘘采用改良挂线术治疗。结果显示,一次手术治愈率93．4％,二次手术治愈率100％;平均住院天数15．3d。结果表明,改良挂线术治疗远外口肛瘘疼痛轻,换药次数少,住院时间短,并发症少,肛周外观整齐。手术成功的关键在于内口处理、分支瘘管处理、术后换药及挂线选择。     

Partial fistulotomy and multiple setons in high anal fistulae

Setons are employed in high perianal fistulae. Our study aimed to use multiple setons in addition to a partial fistulotomy in high perianal fistulae involving the sphincter complex to combine the effects of cutting and drainage of the fistulous tract. This prospective study included 16 patients over a period of 4 years who presented with high perianal fistulae. The internal opening was identified and tract laid open till the dentate line. Four prolene threads were passed along the remainder of the tract and taken out through the external opening. One was tied tightly while the others were tightened every 7 days. No patients developed major faecal incontinence. Fistula recurred in one patient within a year and one patient had occasional incontinence to flatus. Multiple setons after partial fistulotomy is an effective treatment for high anal fistulae with low incidence of incontinence and recurrence and adequate patient satisfaction.     

Autologous platelet‐derived growth factors (platelet‐rich plasma) as an adjunct to mucosal advancement flap in high cryptoglandular perianal fistulae: a pilot study

Aim The aim of this study was to explore autologous platelet‐rich plasma as an adjunct to the staged mucosal advancement flap in the treatment of perianal fistulae. Method Between February 2006 and May 2007, 10 patients with fistula tracts transversing from the middle‐third or upper part of the anal sphincter were treated for at least 3 months with noncutting setons prior to definitive closure by autologous platelet‐rich plasma as an adjunct to a mucosal advancement flap. Five patients smoked tobacco. Results The study group consisted of six women and four men with a median age of 44 (range 30–75) years and a median follow up of 26 (range 17–32) months. One (10%) patient had a recurrent fistula. No new continence disorders developed after definitive treatment in both groups. Conclusion Platelet‐rich plasma as an adjunct to a staged mucosal advancement flap for the treatment of perianal cryptoglandular fistulae is a promising treatment modality and seems to establish a high healing rate.     

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from long‐standing perianal fistula

Perianal fistula is a very common problem in general population. Ninety percent of perianal fistulae arise from infected anal glands, and they often give rise to perianal abscesses. Very rarely perianal fistulae and abscesses undergo malignant transformation and give rise to carcinomas, mainly adenocarcinomas. We are reporting a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from long‐standing perianal fistula and how we managed it surgically.     

磁共振成像在复杂性肛瘘诊断中的应用

目的 探讨磁共振成像(MRI)在复杂性肛瘘诊断中的应用价值.方法 28例临床诊断为复杂性肛瘘的患者,术前进行磁共振相控阵列线圈检查.以手术结果为标准,比较术前指诊和MRI的诊断结果.结果 有25例患者诊断为复杂性肛瘘,1例为骶前囊肿合并与直肠相通的瘘道,2例肛瘘伴癌变.25例肛瘘Parks分类显示:经括约肌肛瘘3例,括约肌间肛瘘10例,括约肌外肛瘘5例,括约肌上肛瘘7例;MRI与术前指诊检查结果比较,内口检出符合率为84%比48%:原发主管、支管或脓腔检出准确率为100%比76%、94.7%比57.9%;两种检查方法比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).结论 应用MRI相控阵列线圈能准确定位复杂性肛瘘的内口、瘘管的走向及其与肛管直肠括约肌复合体之间的复杂关系,对排除肛瘘伴其他肛管直肠周围病变具有确切意义.     

Mucinous adenocarcinoma on chronic perianal fistula treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and laparoscopy-assisted abdominoperineal amputation

We present a male patient with a perianal fistula of 30 years' duration that had been treated on several occasions. The patient presented with mucoid anal adenocarcinoma. He was treated with preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (5-FU and leucovorin) and external radiation therapy plus laparoscopy-assisted abdominoperineal amputation. Mucoid adenocarcinoma on chronic perianal fistula is an infrequent process. Late diagnosis is associated with a poor prognosis.