Radiofrequency fistulotomy: a better alternative for treating low anal fistula. Marsupialization of fistulotomy and fistulectomy wounds improves healing and decreases bleeding: a randomized controlled trial. Repair of fistulas-in-ano using autologous fibrin tissue adhesive. Radiosurgical fistulotomy; an alternative to conventional procedure in fistula in ano. Conventional cutting vs. internal anal sphincter-preserving seton for high trans-sphincteric fistula: a prospective randomized manometric and clinical trial. Radiofrequency fistulectomy vs. diathermic fistulotomy for submucosal fistulas: a randomized trial. KTP-Laser and fibrin glue for treatment of fistulae in ano. Repair of chronic anorectal fistulae using commercial fibrin sealant. Prospective randomised trial comparing ayurvedic cutting seton and fistulotomy for low fistula-in-ano. Preliminary results of using a commercial fibrin sealant in the treatment of fistula-in-ano. Routine use of setons for the treatment of anal fistulae. A randomized, controlled trial of fibrin glue vs. conventional treatment for anal fistula. Controlled, randomized trial of island flap anoplasty for treatment of trans-sphincteric fistula-in-ano: early results. Efficacy of fibrin sealant in the management of complex anal fistula: a prospective trial.
Wide varieties of approaches are employed in dealing with low anal fistula. However, the simple method of laying open the fistula tract (fistulotomy) is still considered to be the favored one.
                A modified approach to the procedure of fistulotomy is discussed. This study describes the procedure, which used a technique of radiofrequency surgery, and its outcome in 232 patients with low anal fistula. The patients were followed for a period of 15 months.
                The patients were discharged on the same day as the procedure. The mean period off work was four days. The average healing time recorded was 67 days. Four wound complications in the form of premature closure of the external wound were noted, which required trimming of the edges. Two of these wounds remained unhealed. The recurrence rate was 1.7%.
                In this era when the emphasis is on criteria like the minimization of hospital stay, reduction of postoperative pain, early resumption of work and low and comparable recurrence rates, there is a future for the procedure of radiofrequency fistulotomy. Marsupialization of anal fistulotomy/fistulectomy wound leaves less raw unepithelialized tissue. The suture results in a more rapid healing and is likely to reduce the risk of bleeding but at the cost of an increased pain and infection. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the outcomes of marsupialization and open wound.
                Forty-six consecutive patients with anal fistulae were recruited in a randomized controlled trial. Fistula tracks were treated by fistulotomy and/or fistulectomy. The resulting wounds were marsupialized to the skin edges with locking continuous absorbable sutures (M group) or left open (O group). The clinical outcome was then evaluated. The intra-operative effect of the suture on wound size was recorded as well as the postoperative pain using a 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS) and the occurrence of both wound bleeding and infection.
                Twenty-two patients were randomized to the M group and 24 to the O group. There were no differences in the age, sex and fistula type between the groups. Mean follow-up times were 10.5 and 13.8 months, respectively. No significant difference was observed in postoperative pain, the VAS being 3.5 +/- 1.5 in the M group and 3.4 +/- 1.6 in the O group at 12 h (mean +/- s.e.m.; n.s). The marsupialization nearly halved the size of the wound intra-operatively from an area of 1749 +/- 66 mm2 to 819 +/- 38 mm2 (P < 0.001), which subsequently decreased to 217 +/- 15 mm2 after 4 weeks (P < 0.01). No significant reduction of wound size was observed in the O group (from 1171 +/- 31 mm2 to 543 +/- 19; n.s). Bleeding occurred less frequently in M group than in O group (36%vs 46%, P < 0.05), whereas the difference in the postoperative sepsis rate was not significant, being 14% in M vs 21% in the O group. Three reinterventions were needed in both groups due to wound sepsis.
                Marsupialization after fistulotomy/fistulectomy significantly reduces the size of the wound and the risk of bleeding, without increasing postoperative pain and sepsis. Our goal was to determine if autologous fibrin tissue adhesive derived from the precipitation of fibrinogen using a combination of ethanol and freezing, could be used to completely close both simple and complex fistulas-in-ano.
                A 26-patient pilot study was performed in which 100 ml of a patient's blood was drawn 90 minutes before surgery. Autologous fibrin tissue adhesive was prepared. In the operating room the patient underwent an examination under anesthesia, and the primary and secondary fistula tract openings were attempted to be identified. The fistula tract was curetted, and autologous fibrin tissue adhesive was injected into the secondary fistula tract opening until fibrin glue was seen coming from the primary opening. A petroleum jelly gauze was then applied over the secondary opening, and the patient was sent home. Follow-up visits were scheduled for one week, one month, three months, and one year later.
                Twenty-six patients received autologous fibrin tissue adhesive fistula injections, with a mean follow-up of 3.5 months. Initial results were encouraging. Twenty-one of 26 patients (81 percent) had successful initial closure of their fistulas. Two of five failures were injected a second time, and one closed, giving an overall successful closure rate of 85 percent (22/26 patients). Of five patients who failed, mean time to failure was 3.8 weeks. In addition, there was no evidence of infection or complications related to the procedure.
                Our initial results are optimistic and require further support through longer follow-up data. Fibrin glue treatment of anorectal fistulas offers a unique mode of management that is safe, simple, and easy for the surgeon to perform. By using autologous fibrin tissue adhesive the patient avoids the risk of anal incontinence and the discomfort of prolonged wound healing which may be associated with fistulotomy. Most surgeons continue to prefer the classic lay open technique [fistulotomy] as the gold standard of treatment in anal fistula. In this randomized study, a comparison is made between conventional fistulotomy and fistulotomy performed by a radio frequency device.
                One hundred patients of low anal fistula posted for fistulotomy were randomized prospectively to either a conventional or radio frequency technique. Parameters measured included time taken for the procedure, amount of blood loss, postoperative pain, return to work, and recurrence rate.
                The patient demographic was comparable in 2 groups. The radio frequency fistulotomy was quicker as compared to a conventional one [22 versus 37 minutes, p = 0.001], amount of bleeding was significantly less [47 ml versus 134 ml, p = 0.002], and hospital stay was less when patient was operated by radio frequency method [37 hours versus 56 hours in conventional method, p = 0.001]. The postoperative pain in the first 24 hours was more in conventional group [2 to 5 versus 0 to 3 on visual analogue scale]. The patients from radio frequency group resumed their duties early with a reduced healing period of the wounds [47 versus 64 days, p = 0.01]. The recurrence or failure rates were comparable in the radio frequency and conventional groups [2% versus 6%].
                Fistulotomy procedure using a radio frequency technique has significant advantages over a conventional procedure with regard to operation time, blood loss, return to normal activity, and healing time of the wound. Cutting setons have been used in complicated perirectal sepsis with good effect, although there is a moderately high incidence of fecal leakage after their use. The aim of this study was to compare a modified cutting seton, which repaired the internal anal sphincter muscle and re-routed the seton through the intersphincteric space, with a conventional cutting seton.
                A total of 34 patients were randomized between 1998 and 2002. They were prospectively assessed by continence score and anorectal manometry, and for anal function, clinical sepsis and fistula recurrence.
                There was no difference in postoperative continence score, incidence of recurrent fistula or healing time between groups after a mean follow-up of 12 months. Resting anal manometric pressures and vector volumes were consistently higher with the modified seton (although not statistically significant), as was the area under the inhibitory curve during elicitation of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex across the full sphincter length. ( p<0.05).
                A larger prospective study of internal anal sphincter-preserving seton use in cryptogenic high transshincteric fistula-in-ano appears justified. Anal fistula represents one of the most frequent anorectal disease. Fistulotomy is considered the gold standard treatment but related problems are numerous (postoperative pain, bleeding, delayed or impaired wound healing). Fistulectomy lowers the recurrences but is less feasible with longer operating time and healing process. We applied the radiofrequencies to fistulectomy and compared the early and late results with those obtained from traditional fistulotomy.
                Twenty patients were randomized to undergo radiofrequency fistulectomy (10 patients, Group A) or conventional fistulotomy (10 patients, Group B). We analysed the first postoperative day pain, intra- and postoperatory bleeding, operating time, complications (impaired or delayed wound healing, fecal incontinence) and any recurrences.
                The mean values for operative time have been 18.3 min for group A (range 15-26 min) and 17.9 min for group B (range 13-21 min). According to VAS scale, first postoperative day pain mean values were 2.8 for group A (range 2-4) and 4.1 for group B (range 3-5). Intra- and post-operative bleeding has always been negligible and faecal incontinence was never observed. Healing time mean values have been 3.5 weeks for group A (range 3-5) and 5.9 weeks for group B (range 4-8 weeks). Long-term results did not evidence complications or recurrences for both groups.
                The application of radiofrequencies to fistulectomy renders more feasible and easies the operation. Postoperative pain is smaller than traditional fistulotomy because of the lower temperatures used and for the shorter time spent in coagulating. This gives a faster wound healing. In conclusion we think that radiofrequency fistulectomy is technically more advantageous than traditional fistulotomy and furnishes better results. Fistulae-in-ano remains a significant surgical problem due to the limitations pertinent to accurate assessment and the magnitude, shortcomings and side effects of the various procedures currently employed for their management. Six consecutive fistulae-in-ano patients (males, age range 30 to 58 years) were successfully treated by KTP laser (20-watt continuous aim for 20 to 30 seconds delivering a total energy of 400 to 600 joules) with rapid solidification fibrin glue then followed up for 3 months without recurrence. This approach offers a simple, expeditious and effective treatment for fistulae-in-ano thereby overcoming many of the restrictions associated with other methods. Commercially produced fibrin sealant can be used to completely close both simple and complex fistulae in ano.
                A 29-patient prospective nonrandomized clinical trial was performed. In the operating room, the patient underwent an examination with anesthesia and the primary and secondary fistula tract openings were attempted to be identified. The fistula tract was curetted and fibrin sealant was injected into the secondary fistula tract opening until fibrin sealant was seen coming from the primary opening. A petroleum jelly gauze was then applied over the secondary opening and the patient was sent home. Follow-up visits were scheduled for 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year later.
                Twenty-nine consecutive patients received fibrin sealant injections for their fistulae in ano, with a mean follow-up of 6 months. Two patients had a history of Crohn disease (regional enteritis) and 2 patients had human immunodeficiency virus infection. Overall, 17 (68%) of 25 patients have had successful closure of their fistula with 4 patients lost to follow-up. Two patients required reinjection with fibrin sealant, and neither of these subsequently had closure. One of the 2 patients with Crohn disease had closure, as well as 1 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient. In addition, there has been no evidence of incontinence or complications related to the use of fibrin sealant in this procedure.
                Initial results in the treatment of chronic anorectal fistulae using commercial fibrin sealant are optimistic, but require further support through longer follow-up data. Fibrin sealant treatment of anorectal fistulae offers a unique mode of management which is safe, simple, and easy for the surgeon to perform. By using fibrin sealant, the patient avoids the risk of fecal incontinence and the discomfort of prolonged wound healing that may be associated with fistulotomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ayurvedic setons in the treatment of low fistula-in-ano. One hundred and eight patients were randomised into either conventional fistulotomy (F) or ayurvedic cutting seton insertion (C). Endpoints investigated included time to wound healing and complications of surgery. Post-operative pain scores were measured daily using a visual analog scale. Anal function was compared using a continence score. Pre- and postoperative manometry and ultrasound were also performed. After exclusions, there were 54 patients in group F and 46 in group C. There were no differences in age, sex or follow-up duration between the two groups. Healing time was similar between the groups. Group C reported more pain following operation and on the first 2-4 postoperative days, but both groups experienced the same amount of pain subsequently. In conclusion, chemical seton was more painful than conventional fistulotomy in the first few days following surgery. However, there was no difference in time to wound healing, complications or functional outcome. A prospective non-randomised study fibrin sealant injection to manage patients with fistula-in-ano, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring, was performed during the period 5/6/1999 to 28/2/2000. The aim was to determine whether a fibrin sealant could be used as a treatment modality for anorectal fistula and the usefulness of MRI perineum to monitor the disease activity. Ten patients were included in the study. Mean age was 47 years (range 7 months to 70 years). Male: female ratio was 9:1. Mean follow-up duration was 26.4 weeks. The overall success rate was 60%. The success rate of different fistula types were different (60%, 0%, 100% for intersphincteric, transphincteric, subcutaneous, respectively). Variable decrease in signal on STIR images and contrast enhancement was noted in the patients with successful and failure of fibrin sealant injection. In conclusion, fibrin sealant injection is a useful alternative treatment in the management of fistula-in-ano. MRI is helpful in delineating the anatomy of fistula-in-ano but not a useful tool to follow-up disease activity. Anal fistula is usually treated by either fistulotomy or fistulectomy. We described the routine use of setons to treat anal fistula without any surgery.
                Forty-seven consecutive patients with diagnosed anal fistulae were treated using setons alone.
                The median age of the patients was 41 (range: 18-70). Of the 47 patients, 15 had surgery previously for fistula and perianal abscess. At least two setons were inserted through each fistula. One was tied tightly to function as a cutting seton and this was sequentially tightened by the patient and another was tied loosely for drainage. Of the 47 patients, 33 (70%) had the placement of setons in the clinic without any anaesthesia. The remaining 14 patients had the setons inserted in the operating room, with one patient having a complex anal fistula and 13 patients having perianal abscess requiring drainage at the same time. There were no post procedure complications in the series. Forty-one patients had completed follow up at clinic within a median duration of 15 weeks (range: two to 67 weeks). The fistula was completely healed by this method in 37 patients (78%). The median healing time was nine weeks (range: four to 62 weeks). One patient developed recurrent fistula and was healed after another seton placement. No patient developed any faecal incontinence and all patients were satisfied with this treatment.
                The routine seton method is safe, cheap and effective in the treatment of anal fistula regardless of type. It does not leave an open wound and most patients are satisfied with the treatment. Fibrin glue is a novel treatment for anal fistulas and possesses many advantages in the treatment of difficult high fistulas. Fibrin glue treatment is simple and repeatable; failure does not compromise further treatment options; and sphincter function is preserved. We aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with low and high anal fistulas randomly assigned to either fibrin glue or conventional treatment.
                Patients with simple fistulas (low fistulas) and complex fistulas (high, Crohn's, and low fistulas with compromised sphincters) were randomly assigned to either fibrin glue or conventional treatment (fistulotomy or loose seton insertion with or without subsequent advancement flap). Patients with rectovaginal fistulas and anal fistulas associated with chronic cavities, acute sepsis, and side branches were excluded. The primary end point was fistula healing. Secondary end points were complications, changes in preoperative continence score, changes in maximum resting and squeeze pressure, satisfaction scores, and pain scores and time off work (simple fistulas only).
                Patients in the fibrin glue and conventional treatment arms were well matched for gender, median age, duration of fistula symptoms, and follow-up. Fibrin glue healed three (50 percent) of six and fistulotomy seven (100 percent) of seven simple fistulas (difference, 50 percent; confidence interval, 10 to 90 percent; P= 0.06, Fisher's exact probability test). There was no change in baseline incontinence score, maximum resting pressures, or squeeze pressures between the study arms. Return to work was quicker in the glue arm, but pain scores were similar and satisfaction scores higher in the fistulotomy group. Fibrin glue healed 9 (69 percent) of 13 and conventional treatment 2 (13 percent) of 16 complex fistulas (difference, 56 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 25.9 to 86.1 percent; P= 0.003, Fisher's exact probability test). There was no change in baseline incontinence score, maximum resting pressures, or squeeze pressures in either study arm. Satisfaction scores were higher in the fibrin glue group.
                No advantage was found for fibrin glue over fistulotomy for simple fistulas, but fibrin glue healed more complex fistulas than conventional treatment and with higher patient satisfaction. Treatment of trans-sphincteric fistula is usually a compromise between recurrence and incontinence. Dermal island flap anoplasty has been found to be useful in the treatment of these fistulas. We performed a randomized trial to compare dermal island flap anoplasty with conventional treatment for trans-sphincteric fistula-in-ano. Seventy nine patients with fistula-in-ano were recruited; twenty patients with trans-sphincteric fistula confirmed by endoanal ultrasound were prospectively randomized to receive either dermal island flap anoplasty (IFA) or conventional treatment (CVN) for trans-sphincteric fistula-inano. Conventional treatment consisted of lay open fistulotomy or seton insertion if deemed unsuitable for fistulotomy. Dermal island flap anoplasty involved a cutaneous advancement flap into the rectum. Pain scores, fecal incontinence scores, operative complications, wound healing and recurrence rates were charted. Two patients in the CVN group required seton insertions, which were still intact at the 9-month follow-up. Two patients with similar high trans-sphincteric fistula in the IFA group avoided having a long-term seton. There were no differences in the postoperative pain score, incontinence score, complications, wound healing and recurrence rates between the two groups. IFA is a safe and useful method for treating transsphincteric fistula. It can be considered when a suprasphincteric extension is suspected, thus avoiding risk of incontinence or the discomfort of a long-term seton. A prospective trial was conducted to establish long-term healing of complex idiopathic anorectal fistula, without extension, after fibrin glue treatment, with clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging to determine tract healing.
                Twenty-two patients undergoing glue instillation after fistula curettage and irrigation were followed up for a median of 14 months. Clinical assessment, short tau inversion recovery sequence magnetic resonance imaging, and combined short tau inversion recovery and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were performed at a median of three months postoperatively, and their ability to predict outcome in the presence of early skin healing was determined.
                Of 22 patients, 19 (86.5 percent) had transsphincteric fistulas, 1 (4.5 percent) had a suprasphincteric fistula, 1 (4.5 percent) had an extrasphincteric fistula, and 1 (4.5 percent) had a rectovaginal fistula. None had clinical or radiologic evidence of secondary extension. Despite skin healing in 17 (77 percent) of 22 patients at a median of 14 days after treatment, only 3 (14 percent) remained healed at 16 months. Magnetic resonance imaging with short tau inversion recovery sequences in combination with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging predicted outcome in all 10 assessments (100 percent), compared with short tau inversion recovery sequence alone in 16 (94 percent) of 17 assessments or clinical examination in 12 (71 percent) of 17 (P = 0.02).
                The success rate of fibrin glue application for complex anorectal fistulas without extension is 14 percent. Magnetic resonance imaging predicts outcome at an earlier stage than clinical examination.
There are very few randomized controlled trials comparing the various modalities of surgery for fistula in ano. While post operative pain, time to healing and discharge from hospital affect quality of life, recurrence and incontinence are the most important. As it turns out, there seems to be no major difference between the various techniques used as far as recurrence rates are concerned.
The use of Fibrin glue and advancement flaps are associated with low incontinence rates. 
There is a crying need for well powered, well conducted randomised controlled trials comparing various modes of treatment of fistula in ano. Newer operations like the anal fistula plug and the LIFT procedure need to be evaluated by randomised clinical trials.