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International Journal of Surgery... Oct 2017Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT) is a relatively new minimally invasive videoendoscopic procedure for treating fistula-in-ano. We reviewed and performed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT) is a relatively new minimally invasive videoendoscopic procedure for treating fistula-in-ano. We reviewed and performed metaanalysis to evaluate the efficacy of this procedure.
METHODS
Studies from the period 2010 to 2016 were searched in PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, SCI database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) & Google Scholar database. All studies which utilized VAAFT to treat fistula-in-ano were extracted. The studies in which the Cryptoglandular fistula were treated were included. Procedure's done in patients with Crohn's disease, pediatric patients and associated malignancy were excluded from the study. The primary outcome parameter was success rate in fistula healing and the secondary outcome parameters were operating time, hospital stay, return to work, incontinence rate and complication rate.
RESULTS
A total of 1378 studies were screened. Out of these, eight studies were finally included for meta-analysis. The analysis (n = 786) demonstrated a net Proportion Meta-analysis pooled rate of 76.01% (95% CI = 68.1 to 83.9) for success rate, 16.2% (95% CI = 12.1 to 20.2) for complications, 44.7 min (95% CI = 38.3 to 51.2) for operating time, 1-4.1 days for mean hospital stay and 1-11 days for return to work. None of the studies reported worsening of continence levels.
CONCLUSIONS
VAAFT is a safe videoendoscopic method to treat fistula-in-ano with an overall success rate of 76% (net Proportion Meta-analysis pooled rate). The main benefit of the procedure is minimal risk to incontinence, minimal hospital stay and early return to work.
Topics: Humans; Length of Stay; Operative Time; Rectal Fistula; Video-Assisted Surgery
PubMed: 28882770
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.08.582 -
European Radiology Sep 2020To develop imaging guidelines for patients with fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal sepsis.
OBJECTIVES
To develop imaging guidelines for patients with fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal sepsis.
METHODS
An expert group of 13 members of the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) used a modified Delphi process to vote on a series of consensus statements relating to the imaging of patients with potential anal sepsis. Participants first completed a questionnaire to gather practice information and to help frame the statements posed.
RESULTS
In the first round of voting, the expert group scored 51 statements of which 45 (88%) achieved immediate consensus. The remaining 6 statements were redrafted following input from the expert group and consensus achieved for all during a second round of voting, including an additional statement drafted. No statement was rejected due to a lack of consensus. After redrafting to improve clarity, 53 individual statements were presented.
CONCLUSION
These expert consensus statements can be used to guide appropriate indication, acquisition, interpretation and reporting of medical imaging for patients with potential fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal sepsis.
KEY POINTS
• Medical imaging, notably magnetic resonance imaging, is used widely for the diagnosis and monitoring of fistula-in-ano and other causes of anal and perianal sepsis. • While the indexed medical literature is clear that diagnostic accuracy is potentially excellent, this depends on competent image acquisition and interpretation. • In order to facilitate this, the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) has produced expert consensus guidelines regarding the imaging of fistula-in-ano and related conditions.
Topics: Anal Canal; Anus Diseases; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiography, Abdominal; Rectal Fistula; Sepsis
PubMed: 32307564
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-06826-5 -
Asian Journal of Surgery Aug 2019Perianal sepsis and fistula is a troublesome disease in the field of colorectal surgery in term of recurrence and fecal incontinence. The aim of our study is to evaluate... (Review)
Review
Perianal sepsis and fistula is a troublesome disease in the field of colorectal surgery in term of recurrence and fecal incontinence. The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of 'one stage complex anal fistula excision with reconstruction of anal sphincter without stool diversion' regarding fecal incontinence and recurrence. This was prospective cohort study on 175 patients of complex high peri-anal fistulae, the patients were subjected to fistulectomy and reconstruction (primary suture repair) of anal sphincter without stool diversion, the patients were followed up 1 year postoperatively after complete healing of the wound regarding their continence to stool and gases using Wexner score and recurrence of the fistula which is examined clinically and radio-logically using MRI. Among the 175 patients only four had developed fecal incontinence with varying degrees in which 2 patients developed gas incontinence and 2 patients developed soiling, after 3 months 8 patients had recurrence and after 6-9 months 6 patients developed recurrence . Also at the end of follow up period upon performing the confirmatory MRI, 2 patients showed hidden fistulous tracts ending into a high abscess cavity. This ends up into total of 16 recurrent cases. Five patients experienced delayed wound healing. In conclusion, Compared to other treatment modalities for complex anal fistula found in literature, it had been found that one stage surgery (fistulectomy with primary sphincter repair) has good results regarding healing of the fistula with low risk of incontinence, low recurrence rate and good wound healing.
Topics: Adolescent; Anal Canal; Cohort Studies; Digestive System Surgical Procedures; Feasibility Studies; Fecal Incontinence; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Rectal Fistula; Recurrence; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing; Young Adult
PubMed: 30738718
DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2018.12.005 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Jul 2021Perianal Crohn's disease remains a challenging condition to treat and can have a substantial negative impact on quality of life. It often requires combined surgical and... (Review)
Review
Perianal Crohn's disease remains a challenging condition to treat and can have a substantial negative impact on quality of life. It often requires combined surgical and medical interventions. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy, including infliximab and adalimumab, remain preferred medical therapies for perianal Crohn's disease. Infliximab has been shown to be efficacious in improving fistula closure rates in randomized controlled trials. Clinicians can be faced with a number of questions relating to the optimal use of anti-TNF therapy in perianal Crohn's disease. Specific issues include evaluation for the presence of perianal sepsis, the treatment target of therapy, the ideal time to commence treatment, whether additional medical therapy should be used in conjunction with anti-TNF therapy, and the duration of treatment. This article will discuss key studies which can assist clinicians in addressing these matters when they are considering or have already commenced anti-TNF therapy for the treatment of perianal Crohn's disease. It will also discuss current evidence regarding the use of vedolizumab and ustekinumab in patients who are failing to achieve a response to anti-TNF therapy for perianal Crohn's disease. Lastly, new therapies such as local injection of mesenchymal stem cell therapy will be discussed.
Topics: Crohn Disease; Humans; Infliximab; Quality of Life; Rectal Fistula; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 34321838
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i25.3693 -
Journal of Crohn's & Colitis May 2023Local injection of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] is effective in fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease [CD]. Less is known about bone... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
Clinical and MRI Evolution After Local Injection of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Perianal Fistulae in Crohn's Disease: Results From a Prospective Monocentric Study.
BACKGROUND
Local injection of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] is effective in fistulizing perianal Crohn's disease [CD]. Less is known about bone marrow-derived MSCs and little is known about predictive factors of response and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] evolution of the fistulae after MSC injection. Our aims were to evaluate the safety and clinical outcome of bone marrow-derived MSC injection for perianal fistulizing CD, to evaluate the MRI evolution of the fistulae and to identify factors associated with fistula closure.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
All CD patients with perianal fistula and appropriate drainage with a seton without abscess at MRI were eligible. Clinical examination, biomarkers and pelvic MRI were performed at weeks 0, 12 and 48. The clinical outcome was assessed by closure of the treated external openings at clinical examination and MRI exploration.
RESULTS
Sixteen patients with a median age of 49 years and a median duration of perianal CD of 8 months were included. No unexpected safety event occurred. At weeks 12 and 48, 9/16 and 8/16 patients had complete fistula[e] closure, respectively, whereas 11/16 patients had at least partial closure. At MRI, the degree of fibrosis increased significantly after MSC injection. In total, 86% of patients with >80% of fibrosis of the fistula tract at week 48 had fistula closure. Fistula closure at week 12 was predictive of fistula closure at week 48. The MAGNIFI-CD did not change significantly over time.
CONCLUSION
Open-label injection of bone marrow-derived MSCs was safe and was effective in half of the patients in fistulizing perianal CD and induced significant MRI changes associated with favourable clinical outcome.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Bone Marrow; Crohn Disease; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Prospective Studies; Rectal Fistula; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36733215
DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjac192 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Aug 2021Many hospitals favor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the preferred diagnostic method to detect anal fistula, trans-fistula contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for...
BACKGROUND
Many hospitals favor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the preferred diagnostic method to detect anal fistula, trans-fistula contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of anal fistula have attracted the attention of investigators worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of trans-fistula contrast-enhanced endoanal ultrasound (CEUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of anal fistula.
METHODS
Ninety-eight patients undergoing trans-fistula CEUS and MRI were retrospectively analyzed. The fistulous trend and positional relation between the fistula, levator ani muscle, and sphincter (Parks classification), as well as the numbers of fistulous branches, number and position of the fistula, and distance between internal opening and anal edge were recorded. These parameters were compared with the postoperative results.
RESULTS
There were no significant statistical differences (P>0.05) in the accuracy rates of trans-fistula CEUS and MRI, respectively, in terms of Parks classification (90.82%, 92.86%), branches (89.19%, 81.08%), internal openings (92.68%, 89.43%), and internal openings ≥3 cm from the anal edge (85.71%, 92.86%). However, we observed a significant difference in terms of internal openings <3 cm from the anal edge (96.30%, 87.65%) (P=0.043).
CONCLUSIONS
Although both methods exhibited a perfect accuracy rate in diagnosing anal fistula, trans-fistula CEUS displayed superior diagnostic value for internal openings <3 cm from the anal edge, and could provide reliable pre-operative evidence.
Topics: Anal Canal; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Rectal Fistula; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 34488402
DOI: 10.21037/apm-21-1624 -
Updates in Surgery Dec 2023Anal fistula (AF) is a common disease with high prevalence and surgical operations are effective treatments in clinical work. There exist many well-known surgical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Anal fistula (AF) is a common disease with high prevalence and surgical operations are effective treatments in clinical work. There exist many well-known surgical techniques treating complex anal fistula (CAF), however, none is ideal. To compare the superiority of Anal fistula plug (AFP) and Endoanal advancement flap repair (EAFR) for complex anal fistula. We searched worldwide databases including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and SinoMed from their inception to March 2023. Studies comparing the outcomes of AFP and EAFR were included according to the PICO principles. The indicators of the healing rate, recurrence rate, wound infection rate, and complication rate, et al. were extracted and compared between different surgical methods. 5 RCTS and 7 non-RCTs were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 847 patients (341 patients conducted with AFP and 506 patients with EAFR). By combining the total effect of the 12 articles, we found that there was a statistical difference reporting the healing rate of AFP 48.3% and EAFR 64.4% treating the CAF (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.30,1.55, P = 0.03), and EAFR has a better healing rate. However, there was no significant difference in terms of the recurrence rate (OR 1.68, 95% CI 0.80,3.54, P = 0.17), the wound infection rate (OR 1.82, 95% CI 0.95,3.52, P = 0.07), and the complication rate (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.70,1.61, P = 0.77) either in the 12 articles or in the subgroup. The meta-analysis indicated that the EAFR was superior to AFP in terms of the healing rate treating the CAF, however, there were no significant differences between the two groups when it came to the recurrence rate, the wound infection rate, and the complication rate. EAFR might be one initial treatment for the complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas compared with AFP.
Topics: Humans; alpha-Fetoproteins; Rectal Fistula; Treatment Outcome; Surgical Flaps; Fecal Incontinence; Wound Infection; Anal Canal
PubMed: 37882975
DOI: 10.1007/s13304-023-01674-6 -
JSLS : Journal of the Society of... 2014Fistula in ano is a common disease seen in the surgical outpatient department. Many procedures are advocated for the treatment of fistula in ano. However, none of the...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Fistula in ano is a common disease seen in the surgical outpatient department. Many procedures are advocated for the treatment of fistula in ano. However, none of the procedures is considered the gold standard. The latest addition to the list of treatment options is video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT). It is a minimally invasive, sphincter-saving procedure with low morbidity. The aim of our study was to compare the results with a premier study done previously.
METHODS
The procedure involves diagnostic fistuloscopy and visualization of the internal opening, followed by fulguration of the fistulous tract and closure of the internal opening with a stapling device or suture ligation. The video equipment (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) was connected to an illuminating source.
RESULTS
The study was conducted from July 2010 to March 2014. Eighty-two patients with fistula in ano were operated on with VAAFT and were followed up according to the study protocol. The recurrence rate was 15.85%, with recurrences developing in 13 cases. Postoperative pain and discomfort were minimal.
CONCLUSION
VAAFT is a minimally invasive procedure performed under direct visualization. It enables visualization of the internal opening and secondary branches or abscess cavities. It is a sphincter-saving procedure and offers many advantages to patients. Our initial results with the procedure are quite encouraging.
Topics: Adult; Electrocoagulation; Female; Humans; Male; Rectal Fistula; Surgical Stapling; Treatment Outcome; Video-Assisted Surgery
PubMed: 25419106
DOI: 10.4293/JSLS.2014.00127 -
The Journal of International Medical... Jan 2021Horseshoe anal fistula is a common anorectal disease, and there is no standard procedure for its treatment. In this study, we performed a modified surgical procedure for...
OBJECTIVE
Horseshoe anal fistula is a common anorectal disease, and there is no standard procedure for its treatment. In this study, we performed a modified surgical procedure for the treatment of horseshoe anal fistula and investigated its efficacy and adverse effects.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of video-assisted anal fistula treatment combined with an anal fistula plug (VAAFT-Plug) in 26 patients with a horseshoe anal fistula. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 18 months. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected to analyze the cure rate, anal sphincter function, and incidence of complications.
RESULTS
The surgeries were successfully performed in all patients, 23 of whom were cured (effective cure rate of 88.46%). Three patients developed recurrence and were cured after traditional surgery. No patients developed severe complications or postoperative anal incontinence. The VAAFT-Plug protocol was performed with a small incision in the fistula that subsequently promoted fistula healing and preserved sphincter function.
CONCLUSION
Although randomized controlled trials will be needed to fully validate these findings, our results suggest that VAAFT-Plug represents a promising treatment strategy for horseshoe anal fistulas. This technique preserves normal anal function and achieves satisfactory outcomes in most patients.
Topics: Anal Canal; Fecal Incontinence; Humans; Rectal Fistula; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Video-Assisted Surgery
PubMed: 33435765
DOI: 10.1177/0300060520980525 -
The British Journal of Surgery Dec 2017Progression from anorectal abscess to fistula is poorly described and it remains unclear which patients develop a fistula following an abscess. The aim was to assess the...
BACKGROUND
Progression from anorectal abscess to fistula is poorly described and it remains unclear which patients develop a fistula following an abscess. The aim was to assess the burden of anorectal abscess and to identify risk factors for subsequent fistula formation.
METHODS
The Hospital Episode Statistics database was used to identify all patients presenting with new anorectal abscesses. Cox regression analysis was undertaken to identify factors predictive of fistula formation.
RESULTS
A total of 165 536 patients were identified in the database as having attended a hospital in England with an abscess for the first time between 1997 and 2012. Of these, 158 713 (95·9 per cent) had complete data for all variables and were included in this study, the remaining 6823 (4·1 per cent) with incomplete data were excluded from the study. The overall incidence rate of abscess was 20·2 per 100 000. The rate of subsequent fistula formation following an abscess was 15·5 per cent (23 012 of 148 286) in idiopathic cases and 41·6 per cent (4337 of 10 427 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (26·7 per cent coded concurrently as ulcerative colitis; 47·2 per cent coded as Crohn's disease). Of all patients who developed a fistula, 67·5 per cent did so within the first year. Independent predictors of fistula formation were: IBD, in particular Crohn's disease (hazard ratio (HR) 3·51; P < 0·001), ulcerative colitis (HR 1·82; P < 0·001), female sex (HR 1·18; P < 0·001), age at time of first abscess 41-60 years (HR 1·85 versus less than 20 years; P < 0·001), and intersphincteric (HR 1·53; P < 0·001) or ischiorectal (HR 1·48; P < 0·001) abscess location compared with perianal. Some 2·9 per cent of all patients presenting with a new abscess were subsequently diagnosed with Crohn's disease; the median time to diagnosis was 14 months.
CONCLUSION
The burden of anorectal sepsis is high, with subsequent fistula formation nearly three times more common in Crohn's disease than idiopathic disease, and female sex is an independent predictor of fistula formation following abscess drainage. Most fistulas form within the first year of presentation with an abscess.
Topics: Abscess; Adult; Age Factors; Anus Diseases; Datasets as Topic; England; Female; Humans; Incidence; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Rectal Fistula; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 28857130
DOI: 10.1002/bjs.10614