View clinical trials related to Complex Anal Fistula.
Filter by:Complex anal fistula is a fistula whose treatment with fistulotomy would expose the patient to an excessive risk of post-operative continence disorders. It is a challenge in proctological surgery because of the complexity of its therapeutic management in relation to the recurrences' frequency and the need to preserve sphincter function. Indeed, management is mainly based on fistulotomy techniques, but the latter expose patients to a significant alteration of their continence (less than 10% incontinence for simple fistulas but 30-50% for complex fistulas). In addition, these fistulas' management is constraining for patients due to the need for multiple interventions, long-term post-operative care and repeated discontinuation of activity. Sphincteral saving techniques have therefore developed over the last three decades and have enriched the therapeutic panel of complex fistulas. They aim to block fistula pathways without risking altering sphincter function. In addition, their surgical consequences are often simple. However, they are associated with a greater risk of failure than after fistulotomy and sometimes disappointing to the point that some of these techniques have been gradually abandoned (biological glue and plug for example). Among these sphincteral saving techniques, the investigators know the advancement flap, the injection of biological glue, plug's installation, the LIFT (Ligation of Inter sphincteric Fistula Tract), the clip's use but also, more recently a laser treatment, FiLaC™ (for Fistula Laser Closure), knowing that the idea was not new since the ND-YAG3 and CO24.5 lasers were already used in the treatment of anal fistulas, about twenty years ago, in experimental studies. This technique consists of radiating 360° laser energy radially into the fistula path to "burn" it and causing thermal destruction by coagulation of the fistula wall ans granulation tissue2. It can bo offered to any type of fistula at risk on continence, including horseshoe extensions that can be treated at the same time. It is well suited for outpatient management because the postoperative period is simple and painless. The literature is still poor on the subject with some studies published openly but the preliminary results are encouraging with a success rate of about 70%. No continence disorders reported.
Anal fistulas are the main etiology of perianal abscesses and suppurations. They are common and generally associated with pain, anal incontinence, impaired quality of life and work incapacity. The therapeutic management of this disease has a double objective: heal the suppuration and preserve the sphincter function. Each year, anal fistulas affect 1 in 10 000 in the normal population, with a difference in prevalence between men and women (1.23 per 10 000 men and 0.56 per 10 000 women). The average age of the patients was 40 years (Simpson et al., 2012). In about 80% of cases, anal fistulas are secondary to an infection of Hermann and Desfosses' anal glands (cryptogenic or cryptoglandular). Infection of the anal gland can result in an abscess between the internal and external sphincters, which in turn can spread to other parts of the perianal region. The infection can follow many directions from this point in the intersphincteric plan. When the pus reaches the skin, the fistula is formed. Anal fistula therefore has always an intraductal origin, cryptic, with a primary port at this level, and the disregard of which causes the recurrence of the fistula; and usually a secondary port in the skin. Fistulas are usually divided into two groups. The first group contains fistulas called "simple", which are intersphincteric fistulas or trans-sphincteric involving only the lower third of the sphincter complex. Fistulas usually didn't affect any muscle. The second group contains fistulas called "complex". These are intersphincteric, trans-sphincteric, or even suprasphincteric, extrasphincteric fistulas. For many years, the treatment of choice was to open the fistula (fistulotomy), but this procedure was associated with a risk of incontinence, the consequences could be potentially devastating. Other surgical treatments include setons, fibrin glue, collagen plugs and advancement flap technique to cover internal opening of the fistula. The success of these therapies remains variable. The advancement flap technique remains a strategy of choice in the treatment of anal fistulas and particularly in the case of complex fistulas. The success rate of the advancement flap technique remains variable across studies but a recent meta-analysis finds a success rate of around 60%. A new technique for closing anal fistula is currently in development with the use of a closure clip nitinol (OTSC® Proctology Laboratory: OVESCO and French Distributor: Life Partners). This new technique has been validated in a porcine model of anal fistula, ensuring the safety of the device. A first case was published in a patient with complex anal fistula (high trans-sphincteric). After erosion fistula tract with a special brush, a nitinol clip (OTSC® Proctology) was deposited on the internal opening of the fistula. Eight months after surgery, the fistula was healed and the clip was removed by cutting with special pliers. This technique is currently being broadcast and dozens of patients were treated with this clip without any further scientific validation of the process. To date, this innovative technique of the closure clip has not yet been assessed in a randomized controlled trial. It is therefore essential to carry out a prospective evaluation in order to determine the effectiveness and safety of this new device in the case of complex anal fistulas.
Anal abscess-fistula disease is of common occurrence and has a significant impact on the quality of life of affected individuals. The course of abscess-fistula disease as well as its treatment modalities may affect anal continence. The present cohort study investigates the results of anal fistula plug surgery. In particular, this study focus on the impact of anal fistula plug surgery on fistula healing, quality of life, and anal continence. Fifty patients will be included and followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery in the clinic of participating surgeons.