Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 6/2013

01-06-2013 | How I do it

Fistula-in-ano: When to Cut, Tie, Plug, or Sew

Authors: Robert Beaulieu, David Bonekamp, Corinne Sandone, Susan Gearhart

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 6/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

Management of fistula-in-ano requires understanding of both perianal and rectal anatomy, as well as the surgical approaches available to ensure the highest possible postoperative continence and wound healing. Further, high rates of recurrence with medical management commonly bring these patients under the care of the colorectal surgeon after variable periods of failed conservative management. Novel techniques provide surgeons with tools to treat increasingly complex fistulas with a focus on maintaining sphincteric functionality and limiting recurrence.

Method

This manuscript presents our practice, including perioperative decision making regarding surgical approach, in managing patients with fistula-in-ano.

Conclusion

Familiarity with these techniques prepares the general surgeon and colorectal surgeon to improve wound healing and functional outcomes in these patients, especially with complex disease involving the external and internal anal sphincters.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Saino, P. “Fistula-in-ano in a defined population: incidence and epidemiological aspects.” Ann. Chir. Gynaecol., 73 (1984), pp. 219–224. Saino, P. “Fistula-in-ano in a defined population: incidence and epidemiological aspects.” Ann. Chir. Gynaecol., 73 (1984), pp. 219–224.
2.
go back to reference Malik AI, Nelson RL, Tou S. Incision and drainage of perirectal abscess with or without treatment of anal fistula. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jul 7;(7):CD006827 Malik AI, Nelson RL, Tou S. Incision and drainage of perirectal abscess with or without treatment of anal fistula. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jul 7;(7):CD006827
3.
go back to reference Welton, ML, Shelton AA, Chang GJ, Varma MG. Chapter 51: Colon, Rectum, and Anus. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. 2nd Ed. 2008. 1076–7. Welton, ML, Shelton AA, Chang GJ, Varma MG. Chapter 51: Colon, Rectum, and Anus. Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. 2nd Ed. 2008. 1076–7.
4.
go back to reference Parks AG, Gordon PH, Hardcastle JD. “A classification of fistula-in-ano” Br. J. Surg., 63 (1976), pp. 1–12.PubMedCrossRef Parks AG, Gordon PH, Hardcastle JD. “A classification of fistula-in-ano” Br. J. Surg., 63 (1976), pp. 1–12.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Gonzalez-Ruiz C, Kaiser AM, Vukasin P, Beart RW Jr, Ortega AE “Intraoperative physical diagnosis in the management of anal fistula.” Am Surg. 2006 Jan;72(1):11–5.PubMed Gonzalez-Ruiz C, Kaiser AM, Vukasin P, Beart RW Jr, Ortega AE “Intraoperative physical diagnosis in the management of anal fistula.” Am Surg. 2006 Jan;72(1):11–5.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Rosa G, Lolli P, Piccinelli D, Mazzola F, Bonomo S. “Fistula in ano: anatomoclinical aspects, surgical therapy and results in 844 patients.” Tech Coloproctol. 2006 Oct;10(3):215–21. Epub 2006 Sep 20. Rosa G, Lolli P, Piccinelli D, Mazzola F, Bonomo S. “Fistula in ano: anatomoclinical aspects, surgical therapy and results in 844 patients.” Tech Coloproctol. 2006 Oct;10(3):215–21. Epub 2006 Sep 20.
7.
8.
go back to reference Kodner IJ, Mazor A, Shemesh EI, Fry RD, Fleshman JW, Birnbaum EH. Endorectal advancement flap repair of rectovaginal and other complicated anorectal fistulas. Surgery. 1993;114:682–689; discussion 689–690.PubMed Kodner IJ, Mazor A, Shemesh EI, Fry RD, Fleshman JW, Birnbaum EH. Endorectal advancement flap repair of rectovaginal and other complicated anorectal fistulas. Surgery. 1993;114:682–689; discussion 689–690.PubMed
9.
go back to reference Mizrahi N, Wexner SD, Zmora O, Da Silva G, Efron J, Weiss EG, Vernava AM 3rd, Nogueras JJ. Endorectal advancement flap: are there predictors of failure? Dis Colon Rectum. 2002;45:1616–1621.PubMedCrossRef Mizrahi N, Wexner SD, Zmora O, Da Silva G, Efron J, Weiss EG, Vernava AM 3rd, Nogueras JJ. Endorectal advancement flap: are there predictors of failure? Dis Colon Rectum. 2002;45:1616–1621.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference West RL, Zimmerman DD, Dwarkasing S, Hussain SM, Hop WC, Schouten WR, Kuipers EJ, Felt-Bersma RJ. “Prospective comparison of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging of perianal fistulas.” Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Oct;46(10):1407–15.PubMedCrossRef West RL, Zimmerman DD, Dwarkasing S, Hussain SM, Hop WC, Schouten WR, Kuipers EJ, Felt-Bersma RJ. “Prospective comparison of hydrogen peroxide-enhanced three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography and endoanal magnetic resonance imaging of perianal fistulas.” Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Oct;46(10):1407–15.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Mullen R, Deveraj S, Suttie SA, Matthews AG, Yalamarthi S. “MR imaging of fistula in ano: indications and contribution to surgical assessment.” Acta Chir Belg. 2011 Nov-Dec;111(6):393–7.PubMed Mullen R, Deveraj S, Suttie SA, Matthews AG, Yalamarthi S. “MR imaging of fistula in ano: indications and contribution to surgical assessment.” Acta Chir Belg. 2011 Nov-Dec;111(6):393–7.PubMed
12.
13.
go back to reference Hori M, Oto A, Orrin S, Suzuki K, Baron RL. “Diffusion-weighted MRI: a new tool for the diagnosis of fistula in ano.” J Magn Reson Imaging. 2009 Nov;30(5):1021–6.PubMedCrossRef Hori M, Oto A, Orrin S, Suzuki K, Baron RL. “Diffusion-weighted MRI: a new tool for the diagnosis of fistula in ano.” J Magn Reson Imaging. 2009 Nov;30(5):1021–6.PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Morris J, Spencer J, Ambrose S. MR Imaging Classification of Perianal Fistulas and Its Implications for Patient Management. Radiographics 2000;20:623–635PubMed Morris J, Spencer J, Ambrose S. MR Imaging Classification of Perianal Fistulas and Its Implications for Patient Management. Radiographics 2000;20:623–635PubMed
15.
go back to reference Nunoo-Mensah JW et al. “Fistula-in-ano: do antibiotics make a difference?” Int J Colorectal Dis. 2006 Jul; 21(5) 441–3.PubMedCrossRef Nunoo-Mensah JW et al. “Fistula-in-ano: do antibiotics make a difference?” Int J Colorectal Dis. 2006 Jul; 21(5) 441–3.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Keighley MRB, Williams NS. Surgery of the anus, rectum and colon. 1993; London: Saunders. Keighley MRB, Williams NS. Surgery of the anus, rectum and colon. 1993; London: Saunders.
17.
go back to reference Fucini, C, Giani, I. “Why do we have to review our experience in managing cases with idiopathic fistula-in-ano regularly?” World J Gastroenterol. 2011 July 28; 17(28): 3297–9.PubMedCrossRef Fucini, C, Giani, I. “Why do we have to review our experience in managing cases with idiopathic fistula-in-ano regularly?” World J Gastroenterol. 2011 July 28; 17(28): 3297–9.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Whiteford MH, Kilkenny J 3rd, Hyman N, Buie WD, Cohen J, Orsay C, Dunn G, Perry WB, Ellis CN, Rakinic J, Grego- rcyk S, Shellito P, Nelson R, Tjandra JJ, Newstead G. Prac- tice parameters for the treatment of perianal abscess and fistula-in-ano (revised). Dis Colon Rectum 2005; 48: 1337–1342PubMedCrossRef Whiteford MH, Kilkenny J 3rd, Hyman N, Buie WD, Cohen J, Orsay C, Dunn G, Perry WB, Ellis CN, Rakinic J, Grego- rcyk S, Shellito P, Nelson R, Tjandra JJ, Newstead G. Prac- tice parameters for the treatment of perianal abscess and fistula-in-ano (revised). Dis Colon Rectum 2005; 48: 1337–1342PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Garcia-Aguilar J et al. Anal Fistula Surgery: Factors Associated with recurrence and incontinence. Dis Colon Rectum 1996. 39(7) 723–9.PubMedCrossRef Garcia-Aguilar J et al. Anal Fistula Surgery: Factors Associated with recurrence and incontinence. Dis Colon Rectum 1996. 39(7) 723–9.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Rojanasakul A, Pattana-arun J, Sahakitrungruang C, Tantiphlachiva K (2007) “Total anal sphincter saving technique for fistula-in-ano: the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract.” J med Asso Thai 90: 581–6. Rojanasakul A, Pattana-arun J, Sahakitrungruang C, Tantiphlachiva K (2007) “Total anal sphincter saving technique for fistula-in-ano: the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract.” J med Asso Thai 90: 581–6.
21.
go back to reference Ooi K., Skinner I., et al. “Managing fistula-in-ano with ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure: the Western Hospital experience.” Colorectal Dis. 2012; 14(5): 599–603.PubMedCrossRef Ooi K., Skinner I., et al. “Managing fistula-in-ano with ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure: the Western Hospital experience.” Colorectal Dis. 2012; 14(5): 599–603.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Hjortup A., Moesgaard F, Kjaergard J. “Fibrin adhesive in the treatment of perianal fistuals.” Dis Colon Rectum. 1991; 34:752–4.CrossRef Hjortup A., Moesgaard F, Kjaergard J. “Fibrin adhesive in the treatment of perianal fistuals.” Dis Colon Rectum. 1991; 34:752–4.CrossRef
23.
go back to reference Singer M, Cintron J, Nelson R, et al. “Treatment of fistulas-in-ano with fibrin sealant in combination with intra-adhesive antibiotics and/or surgical closure of the internal fistula opening.” Dis Colon Rectum 2005; 48: 799–808.PubMedCrossRef Singer M, Cintron J, Nelson R, et al. “Treatment of fistulas-in-ano with fibrin sealant in combination with intra-adhesive antibiotics and/or surgical closure of the internal fistula opening.” Dis Colon Rectum 2005; 48: 799–808.PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Johnson EK, Gaw JU, Armstrong DN (2012) “Efficacy of Anal Fistual Plug vs. Fibrin Glue in closure of anorectal fistulas.” Dis Colon Rectum. 2006; 49:371–6.PubMedCrossRef Johnson EK, Gaw JU, Armstrong DN (2012) “Efficacy of Anal Fistual Plug vs. Fibrin Glue in closure of anorectal fistulas.” Dis Colon Rectum. 2006; 49:371–6.PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Cameron JL, Sandone C (2012) Atlas of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2nd ed., Vol. 2. BC Decker, Hamilton Cameron JL, Sandone C (2012) Atlas of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2nd ed., Vol. 2. BC Decker, Hamilton
Metadata
Title
Fistula-in-ano: When to Cut, Tie, Plug, or Sew
Authors
Robert Beaulieu
David Bonekamp
Corinne Sandone
Susan Gearhart
Publication date
01-06-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-012-2126-9

Other articles of this Issue 6/2013

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 6/2013 Go to the issue