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Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease 4/2017

Open Access 01-04-2017 | Original Article

An open prospective study evaluating efficacy and safety of a new medical device for rectal application of activated carbon in the treatment of chronic, uncomplicated perianal fistulas

Authors: Antoni Zawadzki, Louis Banka Johnson, Måns Bohe, Claes Johansson, Mats Ekelund, Ole Haagen Nielsen

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

It has been proposed that biological/chemical substances in the intestine might play a role in the occurrence and deterioration of perianal fistulas. Elimination of such unidentified factors from the lower gastrointestinal tract might offer a new strategy for the management of anal fistulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects on non-Crohn’s disease perianal fistula healing, and the safety and tolerability of a new medical device that applies high-purity, high-activity granular activated carbon locally into the rectum twice daily of patients with perianal fistulas without any concomitant medication.

Methods

An open, single-arm, prospective study with active treatment for 8 weeks and an optional follow-up until week 24 (ClinicalTrial.​gov identifier NCT01462747) among patients with chronic, uncomplicated perianal fistulas scheduled for surgery was conducted.

Results

Of 28 patients included, 10 patients (35.7%) showed complete fistula healing (closed, no discharge on palpation) after 8 weeks; seven of these patients, corresponding to 25% of the enrolled patients, remained in remission for up to 31 weeks. At week 8, there was a statistically significant reduction in the discharge visual analog scale (p = 0.04), a significant improvement in the patient-perceived quality of life for the category of embarrassment (p = 0.002), and a trend toward improvement in the other assessment categories.

Conclusions

The treatment was well tolerated, and patient acceptance was high. The results support the efficacy and safety of locally administered activated carbon for the treatment of patients with chronic uncomplicated perianal fistulas not receiving any other medication for fistula problems.
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Metadata
Title
An open prospective study evaluating efficacy and safety of a new medical device for rectal application of activated carbon in the treatment of chronic, uncomplicated perianal fistulas
Authors
Antoni Zawadzki
Louis Banka Johnson
Måns Bohe
Claes Johansson
Mats Ekelund
Ole Haagen Nielsen
Publication date
01-04-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2726-z

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