Transanal approach in repairing acquired rectovestibular fistula in females

AIM: TO summarize the operative experience of the transanal approach in acquired rectovestibular fistula repair.METHODS: Ninety-six cases of acquired rectovestibularf istula in young females were analyzed retrospectively. The etiology and operative procedure were discussed. Operative essential points were, the patient was laid in prone frog position, with the knees and hips flexed at 90~; the perineum was elevated; and the anal opening was exposed. Four stay sutures were applied to the margin of the fistular orifice in the anal opening at points 3, 6, 9 and 12 o‘clock.A circular incision of mucosa surrounding the stay sutures was made. The fistula was dissected from its anal opening to its vestibular opening. The wound of vestibule was sutured,and the rectoanal wound was then sutured transversely.RESULTS: All the 96 patients recovered uneventfully from operation with a successful rate of 93.75%.CONCLUSION: The transanal approach in the treatment of the acquired rectovestibular fistula is a simple and feasible technique.     

Recto-vestibular disruption defect resulted from the malpractice in the treatment of the acquired recto-vestibular fistula in infants

AIM： TO explore the pathogenesis of the rectovestibular disruption （RVD） defect and to recommend a successful repair, and prevention of it. METHODS： Clinical records of 15 girls, age ranged from 3 to 15 （median, 7.5） years, with acquired rectovestibular fistula （RVF） mistreated before were retrospectively reviewed. All of them presented an abnormal appearance of perineum and were suffering from some degree of fecal incontinence, and those were graded Ⅲ to IV by Li Zheng＇s Score. Repair of anal sphincters and reconstruction of perineum body and skin by anterior perineal rectoanoplasty were performed in all cases. RESULTS： Operation in all cases was successful. The perin.eum looked practically normal and fecal continence score rose up to VI by Li Zheng＇s Score. CONCLUSION： The conventional treatment for anal fistula, lay-open or string-treatment, should be considered as malpractice of RVF, and certainly leads to the RVD defect, and the anterior perineal rectoanoplasty could cure it satisfactorily.     

Efficacy of Anal Fistula Plug in Closure of Cryptoglandular Fistulas: Long-Term Follow-Up

Purpose

The long-term efficacy of Surgisis^® anal fistula plug in closure of cryptoglandular anorectal fistulas was studied.

Methods

Patients with high cryptoglandular anorectal fistulas were prospectively studied. Additional variables recorded were: number of fistula tracts, and presence of setons. Under general anesthesia and in prone jackknife position, patients underwent irrigation of the fistula tract by using hydrogen peroxide. Each primary opening was occluded by using a Surgisis^® anal fistula plug, which was securely sutured in place at the primary opening and tacked to the periphery of the secondary opening.

Results

Forty-six patients were prospectively enrolled during a two-year period. Follow-up was six months to two years (median, 12 months). At final follow-up, all fistula tracts had been successfully closed in 38 patients, for an overall success rate of 83 percent. Seven patients had multiple tracts, for a total of 55 fistula tracts in the series. Of the 55 individual tracts, 47 (85 percent) were closed at final follow-up. Patients with one primary opening were most likely to have successful closure by using the anal fistula plug, although this was not significant. Successful closure was not correlated with the presence of setons.

Conclusions

Long-term closure of cryptoglandular anorectal fistula tracts using Surgisis^® anal fistula plug is safe and successful in 83 percent of patients and 85 percent of tracts.     

A anorectal fistula treatment with acellular extracellular matrix： A new technique

AIM： To investigate a new technique of the anorectal fistula treatment with acellular extracellular matrix （AEM）. METHODS： Thirty patients with anorectal fistula were treated with AEM. All fistula tracts and primary openings were identified using conventional fistula probe. All tracts were curet-ted with curet and irrigated with hydrogen peroxide and metronidazole. The AEM was pulled into the fistula tract from secondary to primary opening. The material was secured at the level of the primary opening. The excess AEM was trimmed at skin level at the secondary opening. RESULTS： All of the 30 patients had successful closure of their fistula after a 7-14 d follow-up. The healing rate of anal fistula in treatment group was 100%. The ache time, healing time and anal deformation of treatment group were obviously superior to traditional surgical methods. CONCLUSION： Using AEM anal fistula plug in treatment that causes the anorectal fistula is safe and successful in 100% of patients. It can reduce pain, shorten disease course and protect anal function.     

Efficacy and safety of ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract in the treatment of anal fistula: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Anal fistula is characterized with perianal cellulitis, anorectal pain, smelly or bloody drainage of pus, and difficulty in controlling bowel movements. Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) technique is a recently developed approach against anal fistula, and it could alleviate the pain of the patient, with little postoperative trauma, which can greatly shorten the wound healing time and hospitalization stay. We conduct the meta-analysis and systematic review to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of LIFT in the treatment of anal fistula.Methods:Randomized controlled trials of LIFT against anal fistula will be searched in several Chinese and English databases. Two reviewers will independently conduct the literature extraction and risk of bias assessment. Statistical analysis will be conducted in RevMan 5.3.Results and conclusions:The study will help to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of LIFT in the treatment of anal fistula.OSF Registration number:DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/T4FUH     

Change in anal continence after surgery for intersphincteral anal fistula: a functional and manometric study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dividing or "laying open" of the tract for intersphincteral type anal fistula is simple and effective and entails low risk of complication, but little is known of the functional and manometric results. This study assessed the clinical and manometric effect of this surgery on anal sphincter function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study examined 45 adults undergoing surgical treatment for intersphincteral fistula. We administered the questionnaire for continence score and performed anorectal manometry before the operation and at least 6 months after the operation. The operative method was laying open of the fistula tract and trimming the redundant anoderm for adequate drainage of the wound in all cases. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in maximal resting anal pressure and in resting pressure throughout the distal 2 cm of the anal canal after operation. The maximal contractile pressure after operation was similar to that before operation. Continence control was significantly poorer in women and patients who had lower preoperative resting pressure. Multivariate analysis showed lower preoperative resting pressure to be the only independent factor for impaired continence control after fistula surgery. CONCLUSION: Although laying open of the fistula tract is a simple and effective therapy for intersphincteral type anal fistula, it should be more conservative for patients with low resting anal pressure.     

Accuracy of hydrogen peroxide enhanced endoanal ultrasonography in assessment of the internal opening of an anal fistula complex

Abstract. Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound in localizing the internal opening of the anal fistula. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with anal fistula who underwent hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound was performed. The results of hydrogen peroxideenhanced ultrasound and intraoperative findings on the basis of operative reports were correlated. Results: A total of 57 patients (47 men) of mean age of 45.7 (range, 21–77) years underwent hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound with a diagnosis of anal fistula; 36 patients underwent surgery. The intraoperative internal opening correlated with the hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound report in 22 of 36 patients (61.1%). In 5 patients, the hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound yielded false-positive information with a positive predictive value of 84%. Four of the 7 patients with falsenegative hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound findings had supra- and extrasphincteric fistulas. Conclusions: There is a 61.1% correlation between hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound and surgical findings of the internal opening with a positive predictive value of 84%. If no internal opening was seen on hydrogen peroxide-enhanced ultrasound, it strongly suggests the possibility of a supralevator or extrasphincteric fistula.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, 1–7 May 1999, Washington D. C., USA.     

The Direct Closure of the Internal Fistula Opening Without Advancement Flap for Transsphincteric Fistulas-in-Ano

PURPOSE: The recommended closure techniques for transsphincteric fistulas demonstrate divergent results for postoperative continence and recurrence rates. An incontinence rate of 35 percent and a recurrence rate of up to 54 percent has been reported after transanal advancement techniques. The authors hypothesize that a direct closure of the internal fistula opening without tissue mobilization is easier to facilitate and generally leads to better clinical and functional results.METHODS: A prospective, observational study between 1995 and 1999 was undertaken in 90 patients with transsphincteric fistulas. A direct closure of the internal fistula opening without a flap was performed in all patients. A three-layer, nonstaggered closure of mucosa, submucosa, internal, and external anal sphincters was performed. The follow-up time periods ranged from one-half to six (median, 2.6) years and included assessment of fistula recurrence and continence using patients histories, physical examinations, proctoscopy, and continence scores. Statistical analysis was performed using Students t-test or chi-squared test.RESULTS: Data from 90 patients with a total of 106 operations were analyzed (65 males and 41 females; average age 46 (range, 22–78) years). Sixty-six patients had previous anorectal abscess surgery, and 41 had a previous fistula operation. The mean number of previous fistula operations was 1.7. All patients were continent before surgery. Mean elapsed operative time period was 37 ± 11 minutes, and the mean anal retraction time was 20 ± 7 minutes. Suture line dehiscence was the main postoperative complication. It was found to occur between the fourth and tenth postoperative days in 15 patients (14 percent). In 12 of 15 patients (80 percent), the fistula persisted and operative treatment was necessary. In three patients (20 percent), spontaneous closure took place. A recurrent fistula after wound healing was observed in seven patients (6.6 percent). The risk of developing a suture line dehiscence leading to a persistent fistula or a recurrent fistula was 22.5 percent. Ninety-four percent of the patients were continent (continence score 0), 6 percent had a minimal disorder of continence (score 4). A continence level for all patients was determined by the international classification of continence disorders.CONCLUSIONS: Direct closure for the treatment of transsphincteric fistulas is a safe and effective approach and achieves a good functional outcome; a small risk of suture line dehiscence, which may lead to a recurrent or persistent fistula, remains.     

The role of transperineal ultrasonography in the assessment of the internal opening of cryptogenic anal fistula

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of transperineal ultrasonography (TPUS) in the pre-operative identification of the internal opening of anal fistulas compared to conventional proctological examination and operative findings. Methods Forty-three patients with anal fistula were assessed by TPUS with and without the use of hydrogen-peroxide injection (E-TPUS) in an attempt to identify the internal opening. Results were compared to preoperative conventional examination and operative findings. Results Operative assessment showed an anterior internal opening in 29 patients (67.4%) and a posterior opening in 14 (32.6%). Compared to the operative findings, the agreement rate for the identification of the internal opening was 74.4% for physical examination alone, 93.0% for TPUS and 90.7% for E-TPUS. Physical examination was less accurate in detecting the internal opening than both TPUS (p=0.014) and E-TPUS (p=0.026). Conclusions TPUS and E-TPUS are superior to physical examination in the identification of internal openings in anal fistulas. Hydrogen peroxide injection does not provide additional advantages. Presented at the 55th Congresso Brasileiro de Colo-Proctologia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 2006.     

Evaluation of Healing and Complications After Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy for Chronic Anal Fissure: Marginal Suture of Incision vs. Open Left Incision: Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

Purpose Internal sphincterotomy remains the standard for treatment of anal fissure, but it is associated with risks of infection, bleeding, and incontinence. Recent studies have suggested that the complications after lateral internal sphincterotomy are related to surgical technique. This study was designed to assess the incidence of early and late complications after lateral internal sphincterotomy with marginal sutured incision. Fissure healing, pain, and complications were compared in patients undergoing a procedure involving three interrupted marginal sutures after open lateral internal sphincterotomy procedure. Methods Ninety patients of chronic anal fissure were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups received open lateral internal sphincterotomy via standardized method. The incisions of the patients in Group 1 (n = 45) were sutured marginally with three interrupted sutures using 2-0 chromic catgut, whereas the incisions of the patients in Group 2 (n = 45) were left open. The patients were assessed at 12 weeks postoperatively by an independent observer. Results The fissure-healing rate was not significantly different in both groups (95 and 93.1 percent, respectively). The pain score was slightly higher in Group 2, and it was statistically significant. Four cases of bleeding and two abscesses were observed in Group 2. These complications were not observed in Group 1. One case of incontinence was observed at the beginning in Group 1 and four in Group 2, but the incontinence was transient in both cases. Conclusions Marginal sutures of incision after lateral internal sphincterotomy may be beneficial to reduce complications related to early wound healing.     

Open coring-out (function-preserving) technique for low fistulas

PURPOSE: Fistula operations can be very destructive to the anal sphincters; functional abnormalities occur easily after such surgery (even with an internal spincterotomy, minor incontinence occurs), hence, function-preserving operations are best. A low fistula goes through the thin sphincter muscle layer, making it more difficult to preserve than a deeper fistula. In 1984, we developed a technique to treat long string-type low fistulas showing heavy inflammation and induration from the internal opening to the primary focus, namely, the infected intersphincteric anal gland. This report shows the main surgical techniques used. TECHNICAL METHOD: For the fistula procedure, we developed an “open coring-out” technique in which the whole fistula is pulled out, making the inside and outside clearly visible. The portion from the internal opening to the primary focus is easily opened (fistulotomy), and the primary focus is excised by coring-out (fistulectomy). For the repair procedure, the sphincter muscle edges are fixed to the underlying tissues with two kinds of sutures. The cored portion is provided with adequate drainage and two sutures that narrow and prevent pocket formation. RESULTS: Since 1984, 319 of 5,055 patients with low fistulas have been treated using this technique, and 52 patients required postoperative treatment; delayed healing occurred in 48 patients; recurrence occurred in 4 patients. Of patients responding to our survey, 16 (6.4 percent) reported postoperative complaints. Delayed healing has always been a major problem. Because the repair procedure inhibits pocket formation and allows for adequate drainage of the cored portion, cases of delayed healing have been reduced to approximately 7 percent in the last four years. CONCLUSION: This technique, which is continually being improved and evaluated, is simple, has a low risk of infection, preserves functions, and prevents deformity of the anal verge and perineum.     

Combined partial fistulectomy and electro-cauterization of the intersphincteric tract as a sphincter-sparing treatment of complex anal fistula: clinical and functional outcome

Background

The aim of this study was to report a simple, effective and safe procedure, associated with minimal risk of incontinence and recurrence, for treating complex anal fistulas.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 53 consecutive patients with complex anal fistulas. The technique used included excision of the distal part of the fistula tract down to the external anal sphincter and electro-cauterization of the intersphincteric part of the tract with simple closure of the internal opening. Data collected included patient characteristics, fistula type determined by magnetic resonance imaging, pre- and postoperative continence status evaluated using the Wexner incontinence score (0–10), previous operations, hospital stay, healing time, recurrence rate and complications.

Results

The patients had a mean age of 41.37 ± 7.82 years; the most frequent fistula type was the high transsphincteric fistula; the mean follow-up period was 19 months with a success rate of 92.5 %; the mean wound healing time was 3.6 weeks; the incontinence scores were the same as before the procedure. The recurrence rate was 7.5 %.

Conclusions

Partial fistulectomy combined with electrocauterization of the intersphincteric fistula tract is a simple, and effective procedure for the treatment of complex anal fistulas.     

Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty: Primary repair of a rectovaginal fistula in an adult

PURPOSE: A case of an adult patient with the anorectal malformation of a rectovestibular fistula successfully repaired by performing a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty is reported. This case should increase the awareness of both primary and secondary anorectal malformations in the adult patient. METHODS: Management and outcome of an adult patient who presented with a rectovaginal fistula and underwent primary operative correction of her anorectal malformation using posterior sagittal anorectoplasty is reviewed. RESULTS: Total continence was achieved in an adult patient undergoing primary repair of a rectovaginal fistula using posterior sagittal anorectoplasty. CONCLUSION: Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty can be successfully performed in the adult patient for a primary repair of anorectal malformations. This operation should be considered in patients who have undergone another prior operative procedure with less than optimum function and now desire a secondary corrective procedure.     

改良TROPIS联合置管引流术治疗复杂性肛瘘的疗效及安全性研究

目的观察改良TROPIS联合置管引流术治疗复杂性肛瘘的疗效及安全性研究。 方法回顾性分析2019年4月~2020年10月在南京中医药大学附属南京中医院肛肠中心住院治疗的100例复杂性肛瘘（或伴脓肿）患者的临床资料,根据手术方式的不同,分为治疗组（采用改良TROPIS联合置管引流术,n=52）与对照组（采用切开挂线术,n=48）。比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、疼痛评分（术后第1、3、7天）、创面面积（手术当天、术后7天、术后14天）、创面愈合时间、肛门Wexner评分（术后3个月）、肛管静息压和肛管最大收缩压（术后3个月）、术后并发症、临床疗效及复发情况。 结果两组患者术后3个月的肛门Wexner评分、复发率比较差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。治疗组的手术时间更短（t=5.473,P＜0.05）,术中出血量更少（t=5.426,P＜0.05）,术后不同时点（第1、3、7天）的疼痛评分均低于对照组（t=5.873,6.665,2.162;P＜0.05）,不同时点的创面面积均小于对照组（t=40.744,40.154,42.535;P＜0.05）,创面愈合时间短于对照组（t=14.356,P＜0.05）,术后出现排尿不畅的并发症少于对照组（χ²=4.537,P＜0.05）,并发症的总发生率低于对照组（χ²=8.310,P＜0.05）,术后3个月的肛管静息压和肛管最大收缩压高于对照组（t=2.348,2.180;P＜0.05）,术后3个月的总有效率高于对照组（Z=4.947,P＜0.05）。 结论与切开挂线术相比,改良TROPIS联合置管引流术治疗复杂性肛瘘能缩短手术时间、减少术中出血、减轻术后肛门疼痛、缩短创面愈合时间、减少术后并发症,在保证疗效的情况下能更好地保护肛门功能。     

Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonographic assessment of an anal fistula with and without H2O2 enhancement

AIM： To evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound （3D-EAUS） in the assessment of anal fistulae with and without H202 enhancement. METHODS： Sixty-one patients （37 males, aged 17-74 years） with anal fistulae, which were not simple low types, were evaluated by physical examination and 3D-EAUS with and without enhancement. Fistula classification was determined with each modality and compared to operative findings as the reference standard. RESULTS： The accuracy of 3D-EAUS was significantly higher than that of physical examination in detecting the primary tract （84.4% vs 68.7%, P = 0.037） and secondary extension （81.8% vs 62.1%, P = 0.01） and localizing the internal opening （84.2% vs 59.7%, P = 0.004）. A contrast study with H202 detected several more fistula components including two primary suprasphincteric fistula tracks and one supralevator secondary extension, which were not detected on non-contrast study. However, there was no significant difference in accuracy between 3D-EAUS and H202- enhanced 3D-EAUS with respect to classification of the primary tract （84.4% vs 89.1%, P = 0.435） or secondary extension （81.8% vs 86.4%, P = 0.435） or localization of the internal opening （84.2% vs 89.5%, P = 0.406）. CONCLUSION： 3D-EAUS was highly reliable in the diagnosis of an anal fistula. H2O2 enhancement was helpful at times and selective use in difficult cases may be economical and reliable.     

Side-to-side stapled anastomosis May delay recurrence in Crohn's disease

PURPOSE: Perianastomotic recurrence after resection in Crohn's disease may be related to ischemia and subacute obstruction at the anastomosis. A technique designed to minimize these factors currently is being evaluated. METHODS: From 1984 to 1997 69 patients underwent resection and primary anastomosis for symptomatic Crohn's disease (17 jejunal or ileal, 72 ileocolic, and 7 colocolic resections). Of these, 42 patients underwent functional end-to-end anastomoses with the use of linear cutting staplers (Proximate^TM 75 mm or GIA 228 80 mm) and 27 patients underwent end-to-end sutured anastomoses. RESULTS: In the stapled anastomosis group one (2 percent) patient required reoperation for recurrent symptoms at 46 months. Complications occurred in four (8 percent) patients (one enterocutaneous fistula, one wound infection, one abscess, and one ileus). There were no anastomotic leaks. The median postoperative stay was seven (range, 5–26) days. In the sutured anastomosis group 14 (43 percent) patients required 15 further resections for symptomatic recurrence at a median of 46 (range, 4–91) months. Complications occurred in six (17 percent) patients (two anastomotic leaks, two fistulas, one stricture, and one pulmonary embolus). The median postoperative stay was 10 (range, 6–28) days. CONCLUSIONS: Functional end-to-end stapled anastomoses after resection for Crohn's disease may be associated with fewer complications than sutured anastomoses and may delay reoperation for symptomatic recurrence. Further evaluation of the technique is indicated.     

Is anal endosonography useful in the study of recurrent complex fistula-in-ano?

INTRODUCTION: performing anal endosonography in complex fistula-in-ano allows us to design a personalized surgical strategy in each case, thereby improving results. However, there are doubts in the literature as to its utility in recurrent complex fistulas. The aim of this study was to compare the utility of anal ultrasonography in the study of primary versus recurrent complex fistula-in-ano. PATIENTS AND METHOD: prospective study of patients diagnosed and treated for complex fistula-in-ano. Physical examination and anal ultrasonography provided data on primary track, internal opening, horseshoe extension and the presence of secondary tracks or cavities in a protocol designed specifically for the study. These assessments were subsequently contrasted with operative findings. RESULTS: we included 35 patients, 19 (54.3%) with primary complex anal fistulas and 16 (45.7%) with recurrent fistulas. According to the operative findings, fistulas were classified as high transsphincteric in 28 patients (80%), suprasphincteric in 6 (17.1%) and extrasphincteric in one patient (2.9%), with no differences between groups. Physical examination correctly classified 28 of the 35 fistulous tracks, in contrast to the 32 (91.4%) correctly described on ultrasonography (80%). We did not find any statistically significant differences between the primary and the recurrent fistula groups with regard to sensibility, positive predictive value and accuracy of the anal ultrasonography for any of the parameters studied. CONCLUSION: the accuracy of anal ultrasonography does not decrease in recurrent complex fistula-in-ano.     

Rectal cancer in anorectal malformation with rectovestibular fistula

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe and discuss the anosphincter-restoring procedure adopted in an adult patient with rectal cancer, affected by anorectal atresia and rectovestibular fistula not previously treated. METHODS: After anterior resection and transverse dissection of the rectovaginal septum, a straight double-staple low colorectal anastomosis was performed. A subcutaneous tunnel was extended from the inter-rectovaginal space, surrounding the pseudoanal orifice. The tunnel housed a left gracilis muscle arranged counter-clockwise and connected to an implanted stimulator. The vaginal and anorectal flaps were sutured longitudinally, thereby spacing out the two orifices and creating an anorectal angle. A temporary loop right colostomy was performed. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. After continuous electrostimulation training and colostomy takedown, the patient had improved continence (stimulator on) and normal defecation (stimulator off). CONCLUSIONS: The solution described seemed a suitable alternative to a pull-through procedure, which would have involved a colocutaneous anastomosis and the loss of the anorectal sensory function. Any previous anal transposition or pull-through procedures would have prevented the saving of the pre-existing anus, because of the interruption of the residual mesenteric vascular supply to the anorectal remnant secondary to mesorectal excision.Supported in part by grants from the Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica, Repubblica Italiana.     

The cutting seton

PURPOSE: A 30-percent gas incontinence rate has been reported after the use of the cutting seton in complex anal fistulas. This study was undertaken to determine the morbidity and efficacy of the cutting seton in the management of complex anal fistulas at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital. METHODS: All patients who had a cutting seton inserted in the colorectal unit at King Faisal Specialist Hospital between 1990 and 1998 were identified from a colorectal data base. The charts of these patients were examined and form the basis of this report. Setons were inserted and tied under general anesthesia after the fistula tract had been identified. All fistulas were transsphincteric, and if it seemed that more than 30 percent of the internal sphincter would need to be divided to "lay open" the tract, a seton was used. Fistulas were designated "high" if the internal opening was above the level of the anal crypts. Setons were tightened under general anesthesia at intervals of three to four weeks until cutting was complete. Patients were followed up until wounds had healed and fistula symptoms had resolved. RESULTS: Data from 47 patients were analyzed. The mean duration of disease before surgery was 39.1 months. Twenty-five patients had had previous anorectal abscess drainage. The mean number of previous fistula operations was 2.2. Before seton insertion five patients were incontinent to gas, two to liquid stool, and none to solid stool. Continence status before seton surgery was unknown in 11 patients. There were 16 "high" fistulas. Methylene blue dye was used to identify the internal opening in 14 patients when simple probing failed. Setons were tightened on three or more occasions in 12 patients, twice in 19 patients, and once in 16 patients. Mean perineal wound healing time was six months. The mean length of follow-up was 1.1 years, and during this time one fistula recurred. After treatment a total of 17 patients (36.2 percent) were incontinent to gas, 4 to liquid feces (8.5 percent), and 1 to solid feces (2.3 percent). Four patients complained of soiling. Of previously continent patients, 9.5 percent were significantly incontinent to gas, but in addition 21.4 percent were "occasionally" incontinent for gas. CONCLUSION: The use of the cutting seton resulted in a significant gas incontinence rate of 9.5 percent after a mean follow-up of 1.1 years. Only 1 fistula recurred.     

Is routine endoanal ultrasound useful in anal fistulas?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of endoanal ultrasound with hydrogen peroxide enhancement in the assessment of anal fistula (tract and internal opening), and to value the utility of this examination for anal or perianal suppuration when performed by a colorectal surgeon trained in this technique. PATIENTS: Endoanal ultrasound was performed in 103 patients with anal or perianal suppuration. Twenty patients were excluded: 9 had the external opening closed, and 11 had cryptoglandular abscesses. All ultrasound scans were performed by the same explorer using a BK Diagnostic Ultrasound System with a 7 MHz endoprobe. The examination was based on the identification of the three anal planes, then hydrogen peroxide was infused and the procedure was repeated. RESULTS: Out of 83 patients included, 11 had a perianal sinus and 72 an anal fistula. In all fistulas the main tract was found: 24 were inter-sphinteric (33.33%), 33 trans-sphincteric (45.83%), 3 supra-sphincteric (4.17%), and 12 extra-sphincteric (16.67%). An internal opening was identified in 69 (95.83%). CONCLUSIONS: Endoanal ultrasound with hydrogen peroxide enhancement is an effective examination to visualize fistulous tracts and internal openings. We think it is highly useful for anal or perianal suppuration to identify abscesses, to recognize a perianal sinus, to check the sphincteric condition, and to plan subsequent surgery.