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BACKGROUND An anal fistula plug is a sphincter-sparing procedure that uses biological substances to close an anorectal fistula. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term therapeutic effect of an anal fistula plug procedure in patients with trans-sphincteric fistula-in-ano and to determine the risk factors affecting fistula healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS A single-center retrospective study was performed assessing long-term treatment outcomes of patients with low trans-sphincteric anal fistulas who initially underwent anal fistula plug procedures between August 2008 and September 2012. Risk factors affecting fistula healing were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS A total of 135 patients who had low trans-sphincteric anal fistulas and underwent anal fistula plug procedures were analysed. The overall healing rate was 56% (75/135) with a median follow-up time of 8 years (range, 72-121 months). The primary reasons for treatment failure were plug extrusion (n=12, 20%) and surgical site infection (n=9, 15%), occurring within 30 days after surgery. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of anal fistula ≥6 months was significantly associated with treatment failure using an anal fistula plug (OR=3.187, 95% CI: 1.361-7.466, P=0.008). Of the patients who failed initial treatment with an anal fistula plug, 6 (9%) had anal fistulas that healed spontaneously after 2-3 years without additional treatment. CONCLUSIONS As a sphincter-preserving procedure, the anal fistula plug can effectively promote healing of low trans-sphincteric anal fistulas. The long-term efficacy is good and the procedure warrants wider use in clinical practice.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

This pictorial atlas provides a review of perianal fistulas with a brief description of the relevant anatomy, technique of imaging, and examples of various fistula types. Magnetic resonance imaging is highly accurate for depiction of both the primary tract and its secondary branches as well as abscesses. It is useful in the accurate preoperative classification of perianal fistulas and allows institution of the correct surgical procedure, thereby reducing the chances of recurrence or complications from occurring.

Perianal sepsis is a common condition ranging from acute abscess to chronic fistula formation. In most cases, the source is considered to be a non-specific cryptoglandular infection starting from the intersphincteric space. The key to successful treatment is the eradication of the primary track. As surgery may lead to a disturbance of continence, several sphincter-preserving techniques have been developed. This consensus statement examines the pertinent literature and provides evidence-based recommendations to improve individualized management of patients.

Anal fistulas require surgical treatment to cure the fistula. Fistulotomy is the treatment of choice because of its high success rate, but it also carries a risk of postoperative incontinence. Different methods have been proposed to overcome the need for dividing part or all of the sphincter, so-called "sphincter saving techniques" (SST), such as flap advancement, intrafistular injection of glue, or the insertion of a bio-prosthesis (collagen plug). However, the success rate of SSTs is lower than that of fistulotomy. Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) is one of the most recent SSTs. It aims to ligate and transect the fistula by an approach through the intersphincteric space. The methodological quality of most published studies has been only average, but several studies have reported attractive success rates of 70 to 95% without postoperative incontinence. Other techniques such as endo-anal clip or injection of autologous stem cells are still anecdotal., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

The experience of the examination and treatment of 646 patients for different forms of complex rectal fistula (CRF) summarized. A working classification of the CRF with regard to their complication was developed and implemented. A differentiated approach has allowed greater use sphincter-preserving methods to improve functional outcome, quality of life, reduce the duration of the disability period and frequency of patients disability.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to determine the frequencies of the perianal fistula subtypes according to the Parks and St. James's University Hospital (SJUH) classification systems and to evaluate the adequacy of these two systems for classifying and reporting perianal fistulas., Materials and Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging examinations of 52 patients (44 men, 8 women) with perianal fistula were reviewed retrospectively. The fistulas were classified according to the Parks and SJUH classification systems., Results: According to the Parks system, 13 patients had intersphincteric (25%), 36 had transsphincteric (69.23%), and 2 had (3.84%) extrasphincteric fistulas. Only one fistula (a subsphincteric fistula) (1.92%) could not be classified. According to the SJUH system, 10 patients had grade 1 (19.23%), 2 patients had grade 2 (3.84%), 13 patients had grade 3 (25%), 21 patients had grade 4 (40.38%), and 5 patients had grade 5 (9.61%) perianal fistulas. The one (and only) subsphincteric fistula was left unclassified., Conclusion: The most common types are transsphincteric and intersphincteric fistulas. Although the two most commonly used classification systems are adequate for describing most perianal fistulas, there is a small percentage that is left unclassified.

Background: Fistula in ano is a rather common condition, but the disease process is not yet fully understood. The aim of our study was to determine how the distribution of anal glands contributes to the variable occurrence of fistula-in-ano in the perineum., Methods: we conducted a blinded two-phase prospective study. In the first phase, the perineum of the patients with primary fistulae was anatomically divided into right upper and lower and left upper and lower quadrants in the lithotomy position. The fistulae were classified according to what quadrant the external and internal openings and the tract pathway were in. In the second phase, using 10 human cadaver specimens, full thickness tissue samples were taken from each quadrant of the anus. Samples were histologically evaluated for the volume fractions of the anal glands in each quadrant., Results: The new classification system we propose revealed that the largest number of fistulae 43% (17/39) were in the right lower quadrant, and 22% (9/39), 12% (5/39) and 8% (3/39) were in the left lower, right upper and left upper quadrants, respectively. It was also observed that 14% (5/39) of fistulae were in more than one quadrant. The volume fractions of each quadrant showed that the largest volume fraction of the anal glands was in the right lower quadrant (right lower quadrant: 0.64, left lower quadrant: 0.35, right upper quadrant: 0.26 and left upper quadrant: 0.22, P = 0.001)., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that has objectively shown that the distribution of the anal glands is variable, and the highest density of anal glands is in the right lower quadrant of the anus. This variable distribution may be associated with the variable occurrence in fistula in ano.

Background/purpose: There are few follow-up studies comparing posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) with conventional procedures for patients with anorectal malformations (ARM). The authors have examined retrospectively postoperative anorectal function of patients with ARM treated with PSARP compared with those treated with conventional methods., Methods: Anorectal function in 23 patients with high and intermediate type anorectal malformations (PSARP group), who underwent PSARP more than 4 years previously, were assessed by Kelly's clinical scoring system and objective studies. These results were compared with those in 14 cases (5 high and 9 intermediate type cases; control group), who underwent other conventional surgical procedures., Results: Using Kelly's clinical scoring system, scores of the PSARP group compared with the control group were good in 48% versus 21%, fair in 48% versus 58%, and poor in 4% versus 21%, respectively. Barium enema studies suggested better anorectal sphincteric function in patients with high anorectal malformation in the PSARP group. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies showed more correct placement of the rectum through the striated muscle complex in the PSARP group at the I-line level. Manometric studies showed no difference in maximum resting pressure, anal canal length, and the incidence of anorectal reflex between the two groups., Conclusions: The favorable results of MRI and barium enema studies can be explained by direct visualization of the striated muscle complex with the aid of electrical stimulation as well as no harmful effects of amputation of the sphincter muscle in PSARP. However, manometric studies suggest anorectal function in patients with high and intermediate anorectal malformations is limited even after PSARP. Long-term postoperative follow-up with adequate bowel management is required for all patients with high or intermediate anorectal malformation., (Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to characterize the type and incidence of complications related to colostomy formation in newborn infants with anorectal anomalies., Methods: The authors reviewed a 5-year (1994 to 1999) experience of a single institution in the management of neonates with high and intermediate anorectal anomalies who required colostomy at birth. Patients with colostomy still in place have been excluded from the study to maximize the chances of detecting colostomy-related complications., Results: There were 80 neonates with anorectal malformations, of whom, 49 (31 boys and 18 girls) were included in the study. The site of colostomy was sigmoid colon (n = 32), transverse colon (n = 7), and descending colon (n = 10). Thirty-nine colostomies were loop, and the remaining 7 were divided. The median birth weight was 2.96 kg (range, 1.46 to 3.88). The age at colostomy formation was 2 days (range, 1 to 210). Mechanical complications related to colostomy formation were observed in 16 infants (32%) with 3 infants having more than 1 mechanical complication. These included prolapse in 8 (50%), intestinal obstruction (adhesions, intussusception, and volvulus) in 7 (44%), and skin dehiscence in 3 (19%). One neonate had necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after colostomy formation. Urinary tract infection was observed after colostomy in 14 infants (29%). The incidence of urinary tract infection was not higher in infants who had loop colostomy (11 of 39, 28%) compared with infants who had divided colostomy (3 of 10, 30%). There were no differences in the incidence of colostomy-related complications and urinary tract infection between male and female infants. There were no deaths in this series., Conclusions: Formation of colostomy for anorectal anomalies should not be considered a minor procedure. In our experience the incidence of complications after colostomy formation is high. The incidence of urinary tract infections does not seem to be affected by the type of colostomy performed., (Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.)

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate and to compare the outcome of anal fistula surgery using techniques involving minimal sphincter damage (sphincter-preserving) and conventional laying open techniques., Patients and Methods: From January 1987 to December 1993, 2,242 patients with anal fistulas were treated surgically, of whom 1,070 had sphincter-preserving operations. These included 530 patients with low intersphincteric fistulas (II L), 116 patients with high intersphincteric fistulas (II H), 73 patients with combined high and low intersphincteric fistulas, 239 patients with transphincteric fistulas (III), and 112 patients with supralevator fistulas (IV). The open method of fistula surgery was used in 1,172 patients., Results: Of 1,070 sphincter-preserving operations, delayed healing occurred in 49 patients (4.6 percent) and recurrent fistula occurred in 32 patients (3 percent). By using the open method in 1,172 patients, delayed healing occurred in 10 patients (0.9 percent) and recurrence of fistula occurred in 23 patients (2 percent). Failure rates increased with increasing depth and complexity of the fistula., Conclusion: Sphincter function is better with sphincter-preserving fistula surgery than with the open method, although healing was delayed more commonly in sphincter-preserving operations that with the open methods, and fistula recurrence was similar with the two methods. Choice of operation depends on depth of fistula, outcome by manometry, and history of former operations.

In a prospective study on 169 patients with a so-called high fistula-in-ano (147 transsphincteric, 22 suprasphincteric) the value of a sphincter-saving operation technique was assessed. This technique consists of one-stage fistulectomy as well as of drainage of the intersphincteric space by internal sphincterotomy. The site of the former primary orifice of the fistula is adapted by multiple peranally performed single stitches. The perianal part of the wound is left to heal by second intention. Post-operatively, 19 cases of suture leakage occurred (9.5% with the transsphincteric and 23% with the suprasphincteric fistula, resp.). 32 patients (19%) had to have repeated surgery because of recurrent abscess or fistula or because of suture leakage (mean follow-up 3.2 years). Anal manometry was carried out preoperatively as well as postoperatively. It revealed a decrease in anal resting and squeezing pressure of 10 to 40% with a mean about 30%. Of the patients who had not been operated on previously, an impairment of continence developed in 15% postoperatively. This percentage rose up to 40% according to the rising number of previous fistula operations. The main problem in these cases was soiling. Total anorectal incontinence for formed stool did not occur.

This article discusses the disparate views regarding sphincteric anatomy, both normal and abnormal, and describes preoperative procedures for and operative approaches to resolving anorectal anomalies.

A study group was formed to undertake further investigation of the problems involved in the classification of anorectal anomalies. At first, a registration form including standardized techniques for clinical and roentogenologic investigation was defined, and then 254 cases were collected and analyzed by referring these materials to the International Classification by the Melbourne group in 1970. Our analysis disclosed: (1) It is imperative to establish a registration form with footnotes describing standardized techniques for clinical and roentogenologic investigations; (2) The rectourethral fistula has been classified simply as high type under the present International Classification, but differences in the levels of the rectal pouch and of the point of fistula, as observed in the collected materials, tends to show that further subdivision of this anomaly may be indicated; (3) An abnormal skin fold at the anal and/or perineal sites is not always diagnostic of low type, specifically of covered anus-complete. Conversely, some infants with high type anomaly had abnormal skin folds; and (4) Two types of anomaly, which have not been well described in the present classification, were detected. They were "rectal membraneous atresia" and "recto-penile fistula."

This paper presents the application of a classification of anal fistulas to an unselected consecutive series of 793 patients treated for this condition at St Mark's Hospital from 1968 to 1973 inclusive. The fistulas were divided into five categories on their anatomical relationships: superficial (16 per cent), intersphincteric (54 per cent), trans-sphincteric (21 per cent), suprasphincteric (3 per cent) and extrasphincteric (3 per cent), with the remaining cases multiple or unclassified (3 per cent). There was good correlation between the categories and presentation, physical signs and treatment of the fistulas. Two hundred and forty-nine patients had potentially difficult fistulas. Follow-up of these patients revealed healing of almost all the fistulas, but the functional results were less satisfactory (incontinence of loose stool in 17 per cent and of flatus in 25 per cent, soiling in 31 per cent).

The pathology of anal fistulas was studied in 300 patients and a simple classification is put forward. Two main types of fistula are recognized: intrasphincteric and extrasphincteric, according to the relation of the track to the external sphincter. All fistulas start as a central space infection which either remains confined to the intrasphincteric compartment or spreads extrasphincterically. Intrasphincteric fistulas include both central and intersphincteric fistulas. The latter fistula, as well as the extrasphincteric, are either low or high according to the relation of the track to the levator plate. The classification is simple and practical. It clearly demonstrates the precise anatomic position of fistulas as related to anal musculature so proper planning for the treatment can be safely achieved.