Is fistulotomy with marsipulization more effective than fistulectomy alone for low fistula in ano?

Background: Fistula in ano is a very common perianal condition seen in outpatient departments. Fistulotomy and fistulectomy are two conventional options of surgery. The present study is designed to observe wound healing time and mean postoperative pain score in the comparison of outcome of the fistulectomy to fistulotomy with marsupialization. Methods: This prospective randomized trial was conducted in the surgical department of the Civil Hospital Karachi for a period of 12 months, in which 60 patients with low anal fistula were divided into 2 groups. Thirty patients in group A were treated with fistulectomy, and 30 in group B were treated with fistulotomy with marsupialization. The postoperative pain severity was assessed after 24 hrs through a visual analogue scale and on weekly and fortnightly follow-ups for 6 weeks. Wound healing was assessed by clinical examination on weekly and fortnightly follow-ups for 6 weeks to estimate the mean healing time. Results: The mean pain score was significantly lower in group B in comparison to group A (3.6±1.99 versus 2.40±1.52; p=0.01). The mean wound healing time was shorter in group B in comparison to group A (4.23±0.77 versus 5.80±0.41 weeks; p=0.0005). Conclusion: Fistulotomy with marsupialization is a simple, easy, and more effective method than fistulectomy for the treatment of simple perianal fistula. (AU)

Role of seton versus conventional techniques in the management of anorectal fistulas

Background: This study was conducted to compare the use of different setons with conventional management like fistulotomy and fistulectomy in terms of healing (after 1 and 3 months), recurrence and incontinence.Methods: This was a retrospective non-randomized study conducted at JNMCH, Aligarh from January 2018 to June 2019. Patients included- patients (males and females) of age group 18-70 years, patients giving consent. Patients excluded- fistula secondary to- Crohn’s disease, tuberculosis, malignancy, recurrent fistula, pregnant females, immuno-suppressed patients.Results: After 1 month, 17 out of 24 patients (70.8%) of fistulotomy, 48 out of 68 patients (70.6%) of seton group and 21 out of 32 patients (65.6%) of fistulectomy group had their wounds healed (p=0.8693). After 3 months, 19 out of 24 (79.2%) patients of fistulotomy, 61 out of 68 (89.7%) of seton, and 24 out of 32 patients (75%) with fistulectomy had their wound healed (p=0.1374). Recurrence was observed in 5 out of 24 patients of fistulotomy, 10 out of 68 patients of seton use and 5 out of 32 patients with fistulectomy (p=0.7788). 6 out of 24 patients (25%) had incontinence after fistulotomy, 7 out of 68 (10.3%) of seton group and 8 out of 24 (25%) after fistulectomy (p=0.0944). Healing was higher in patients of non-cutting setons as compared to cutting seton (p=0.0252). After 3 months, no difference was observed (p=0.1245). Recurrence higher in cutting setons as compared to non-cutting setons (p=0.0187).Conclusions: Setons are safe, low-cost, less invasive, precise, and cost-effective option for treating simple and complex fistula-in-ano.

A Retrospective Study of Fistula in Ano & Primary Sphincter Repair (Sphincteroplasty) in Complex Fistulas

Fistula in ano is a common perianal disease of the mankind. It is secondary to mainly cryptoglandular infections & abscess. Persistence of chronic infection will lead to fistula formation.1 Management of high-level fistulas is complicated due to incontinence, which is troublesome; hence, many procedures have been tried by many surgeons, but without any supremacy over others. Immediate reconstruction of divided sphincter muscle will give good result.2 We have done fistulectomy & repair of the external anal sphincter & followed for the last two decades with no incontinence & minimal recurrences.METHODS192 cases of fistula in ano for the last 20 years operated by a single surgeon (1st author) were studied & were followed up to now. The differences, in the selection of cases, surgical skill & post-operative management are excluded in the study by including cases done by a single surgeon (first author) only. 136 males & 56 females were operated. Intersphincteric 45.8%, trans-sphincteric 49%, high level fistulas 5.2%, trans-sphincteric & high fistulas with considerable external sphincter loss (54 cases) were repaired with 1–0 Vicryl. Fistula in ano is associated with haemorrhoids in 24/192 & ano rectal abscess (20/192). Fistulotomy done in 16/192, simple & subcutaneous tracts - fistulectomy done in 65%. Curetting of the high tracts done in 16/192.RESULTSMales are predominantly affected 70.8%. This is more common in 3rd, 4th & 5th decades (80.1%). Single external opening was seen in (90%). Posterior & lateral fistula tracts are more commonly seen in (89.6%). Non-specific pyogenic infective pathology is seen 99%. Recurrences- 6/192. Time taken to heal is 3–6 weeks. Incontinence is not seen in any case. No recurrence or incontinence seen in primary sphincter repair of 54 cases.CONCLUSIONSPrimary sphincter repair is simple & best procedure with minimal or no recurrence & decreases the healing time. It is more suitable & advised in fistulas with considerable external sphincter loss.

Influence of the cotton and silastic seton on the distance of the anal sphincter cables after fistulotomy in rats / Influência do sedenho de algodão e silastic no afastamento dos cabos musculares do esfíncter anal após fistulotomia em ratos

Abstract Rationale: Fistulotomy is a procedure widely used in the treatment of anal fistulas but is associated with varying degrees of fecal incontinence that could be minimized by previous use of sedentum, and the material used may influence the outcome. Purpouse: To compare cotton and silastic used as setons in the spacing of the sphincter cables of rats subjected to fistulotomy. Method: Thirty Wistar rats were used, which after 30 days of fistula production were distributed in: Control Group (GC): the steel wire was removed, followed by fistulotomy; Cotton Group (GA) and Silastic Group (GS), in which were applied cotton and silastic setons respectively for 30 days when fistulotomy was performed; after seven days, euthanasia and removal of the specimens were performed for histological study, and the results were submitted to statistical assessment using Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test, establishing a significance level of p < 0.05. Results The distance between the muscular cables was 107.9 µm in the GC, 82.4 µm in the GA and 53.5 µm in the GS (p = 0.00001). The mean inflammation scores were 1.9 in the CG, 1.0 in the GA and 0 in the GS (p < 0.05). The fibrosis scores were 1.1 in GC, 0.9 in GA and 0.6 in GS (p > 0.05). Conclusion The silastic seton prior to fistulotomy caused less detachment of the muscular cables and less local inflammatory process.

Resumo Racional: A fistulotomia é um procedimento muito utilizado no tratamento das fístulas anais mas está associado a graus variáveis de incontinência fecal que poderia ser minimizado pelo uso prévio de sedenho, sendo que o material utilizado pode ter influência no resultado. Objetivo: Comparar os fios de algodão e sonda de silastic utilizados como sedenhos no afastamento dos cabos musculares do esfíncter anal de ratos submetidos a fistulotomia. Método: Utilizou-se 30 ratos Wistar, que após 30 dias da confecção da fístula foram distribuídos em: Grupo Controle (GC): foi retirado o fio de aço seguido por fistulotomia; Grupo Algodão (GA) e Grupo Silastic (GS), nos quais aplicou-se sedenho de algodão e silastic respectivamente por 30 dias quando foi realizada fistulotomia; após sete dias realizou-se eutanásia e remoção dos espécimes para estudo histológico, sendo os resultados submetidos a tratamento estatístico pelo teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis, estabelecendo-se como significante p < 0,05. Resultados O afastamento entre os cabos musculares foi 107,9 µm no GC; 82,4 µm no GA e 53,5 µm no GS (p = 0,00001). As médias dos escores de inflamação foram 1,9 no GC; 1,0 no GA e 0 no GS (p < 0,05). Os escores de fibrose foram 1,1 no GC; 0,9 no GA e 0,6 no GS (p > 0,05). Conclusão O sedenho de silastic previamente à fistulotomia causou menor afastamento dos cabos musculares e menor processo inflamatório local.

Evaluation of polypropylene and polyglactin sutures in primary sphincteroplasty for the treatment of anal fistula in rats / Avaliação dos fios de polipropileno e poliglactina na esfincteroplastia primária no tratamento da fístula anal em ratos

ABSTRACT Rationale: Fistulotomy followed by primary sphincteroplasty is one of the therapeutic options in transsphincteric fistulae; however, it was not known which suture would present a better result. Objective: To compare polypropylene and polyglactin sutures in primary sphincteroplasty in rats subjected to fistulotomy. Method: Thirty Wistar rats were subjected to peritoneal anesthesia with ketamine and xylazine, followed by transfixation of the anal sphincter with steel thread, which remained for 30 days to develop the anal fistula. After this period, the steel thread was removed and four groups were formed: A - Control (n = 5), without treatment; B - Fistulotomy (n = 5), performed fistulotomy only; C - Polypropylene (n = 10), in which fistulotomy was performed followed by primary sphincteroplasty with polypropylene suture; D - Polyglactin (n = 10), in which fistulotomy was performed followed by primary sphincteroplasty with polyglactin suture; after 30 days the animals were anesthetized again and submitted to euthanasia by deepening the anesthetic plane to remove the specimens, analyzing fistula closure, muscle fiber distance, and inflammatory process. Results: The fistula persisted in all animals of the control group and in none of the other groups; the distances between the muscle fibers were 1620 µm, 4665 µm, and 2520 µm, respectively in Groups B, C, and D (p = 0.067); in relation to fibrosis, the means were 2.4, 2.8, and 3.6, respectively in Groups B, C, and D, showing greater fibrosis in the latter group (p = 0.041). Conclusion: There was no persistence of the fistula in any of the treated animals; there was no difference in the distance between the muscle fibers between the groups subjected to primary sphincteroplasty with polypropylene or polyglactin, or between these groups and the one treated only by fistulotomy. There was greater fibrosis in animals treated with primary sphincteroplasty with polyglactin.

RESUMO Racional: A fistulotomia seguida de esfincteroplastia primária é uma das opções terapêuticas nas fístulas transesfincterianas, porém, não se sabe ao certo qual fio poderia apresentar melhor resultado. Objetivo: Comparar os fios de polipropileno e poliglactina na esfincteroplastia primária em ratos submetidos a fistulotomia. Método: Utilizou-se 30 ratos Wistar, confeccionada fístula por transfixação do esfíncter anal com fio de aço, que permaneceu por 30 dias. Após, o fio de aço foi removido e foram formados quatro grupos: A - Controle (n = 5), sem tratamento; B - Fistulotomia (n = 5), realizada fistulotomia apenas; C - Polipropileno (n = 10), em que foi realizada fistulotomia seguida por esfincteroplastia primário com fio de polipropileno; D - Poliglactina (n = 10), mesmo procedimento com fio de poliglactina; após 30 dias analisou-se o fechamento da fístula, afastamento dos cabos musculares e processo inflamatório. Resultados: A fístula persistiu em todos animais do grupo controle e em nenhum dos demais grupos; dos grupos tratados a área de afstamento dos cabos musculares foi 1620 µm, 4665 µm e 2520 µm, respectivamente nos Grupos B, C e D (p = 0,067); em relação à fibrose as médias foram 2,4; 2,8 e 3,6; respectivamente nos Grupos B, C e D, demonstrando maior fibrose neste último grupo (p = 0,041). Conclusão: Não houve persistência da fístula em nenhum dos animais tratados, não houve diferença no afastamento dos cabos musculares entre os grupos submetidos a esfincteroplastia primária com polipropileno ou poliglactina, e nem destes com o grupo tratado apenas por fistulotomia. Houve maior fibrose nos animais tratados por esfincteroplastia primária com poliglactina.

The Impact of the Outcome of Treating a High Anal Fistula by Using a Cutting Seton and Staged Fistulotomy on Saudi Arabian Patients

PURPOSE: A cutting seton is used after a partial distal fistulotomy to treat patients with a high exrasphincteric fistula in ano to avoid fecal incontinence and recurrence. In Saudi Arabia, religious practices necessitate complete cleanness, which makes conditions affecting anal continence a major concern to patients affected by an anal fistula. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the cutting seton in treating a high anal fistula among Saudi Arabians. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2014, a prospective study was done for 372 Saudi Arabian patients diagnosed as having a high anal fistula and treated with a cutting seton at Al-Ansar General Hospital, Medina, Saudi Arabia. 0-silk sutures were used. All patients underwent the same preoperative assessment, operative technique, and postoperative follow-up. Weekly, the seton was tightened in outpatient clinics. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-eight patients (80.1%) were males and 74 (19.9%) females. The duration of symptoms varied from 3–21 months. The fistula healed completely in 363 patients (97.6%); 58 patients (15.6%) reported some degree of incontinence to flatus, but none to feces. In 9 patients (2.4%) the fistula recurred. CONCLUSION: The utilization of the cutting seton method in the treatment of patients with a high anal fistula is highly efficient as it simultaneously drains the abscess, cuts the fistulous tract, and causes fibrosis along the tract. Treatment of a high anal fistula by using a staged fistulotomy with a cutting seton was very rewarding to Saudi Arabian patients who feared anal incontinence for religious reasons and was associated with low postoperative complication and recurrence rates.

Comparison of various techniques in the management of fistula in ano

Introduction: Fistula in ano is the benign anorectal condition, but became a major problem for surgeons to cure the disease. For proper treatment of fistula in ano, a thorough knowledge of Anorectal anatomy and etiopathogenesis of the anorectal abscess is required. More than 90% cases of perianal abscess and anal fistulas occur due to cryptoglandular infections in the intersphincteric plane. Less than 10% occurs due to the complications of Crohn's disease, malignancy, Tuberculosis, and Radiation Exposure. The aim of the study: To study the different modalities of treatment for fistula in ano (Fistulotomy/ Fistulectomy/ Fibrin Glue Injection/ LIFT procedure). Materials and methods: Patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study selected and all patients discussed the nature of the disease and possible complications (recurrence, anal incontinence, and anal stricture) expected after surgery was explained. Written consent for the study and surgery was obtained. In proforma, thorough history, signs and symptoms, we identified internal opening and external opening by thorough digital rectal examination and proctoscopic examination under the adequate light were noted. Results: In our study, out of those 15 cases of Fistulectomy, 4 cases developed intraoperative bleeding, 3 cases developed sphincter injury and 3 cases had prolonged surgery more than 1 hour. Of 10 cases with Fistulotomy, 3patients developed intraoperative bleeding, 2 developed sphincter injury and 2cases had prolonged surgery more than 1 hour. Cases proceeded with Fibrin Glue Injection did not develop any obvious intraoperative complication. Manivannan Dhanraj, Nachiappan Meenakshisundaram, Vinodh Duraisami, Vinayak Rengan. Comparison of various techniques in the management of fistula in ano. IAIM, 2018; 5(5): 14-20. Page 15 Conclusion: Fistulectomy has a moderate degree of intraoperative and postoperative complications with a moderate chance for stricture and incontinence and less chance for recurrence. Moreover few cases required second sitting for the completion of treatment.

Colangiopancreatografía asistida por laparoscopia en bypass gástrico y fistulotomía pre-corte por cálculo impactado en papila / Colangiopancreatography Assisted by Laparoscopy in Gastric Bypass and Fistulotomy Pre-Cut by Calculation Impacted in Papila

La denominada cirugía bariátrica “Bypass Gástrico” es una de las operaciones bariátricas mayormente efectuadas a nivel mundial y en aumento en años recientes. La exclusión del estómago y duodeno, después del procedimiento, deja con gran dificultad, la ejecución vía oral, de la Colangiopancreatografía endoscópica (CPRE) y el acceso al tracto biliar y pancreático. Debido a la incrementada incidencia de litiasis biliar en pacientes luego del procedimiento “bypass gástrico”, habrá más requerimiento de la Colangiopancreatografía endoscópica. En los últimos años se ha demostrado que los pacientes con bypass gástrico que ameriten evaluar el tracto biliopancreático pueden someterse exitosamente a Colangiopancreatografía endoscópica terapéutica transgástrica asistida por laparoscopia, en forma segura y confiada. Presentamos nuestra paciente con litiasis residual: cálculo impactado en la papila, efectuando la Colangiopancreatografía endoscópica transgástrica asistida por laparoscopia e Fistulotomía con bisturí - aguja por cálculo impactado en la papila, resuelto satisfactoriamente.

The “Gastric Bypass” is one of the most performed bariatric operatio ns worldwide, and in recent years the number of former bypass patients accrues. The gastric bypass excludes the stomach and duodenum, and it makes very difficult, by oral route, the access to the biliopancreatic tract, by means the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Due to the increased evidence of gallstones after bariatric operations, the ERCP could be more often required. In recent years, it has been demostrated that gastric bypass patients can be successfully evaluated endoscopically by laparoscopic transgastric ERCP, as a safe and reliable method. We describe a patient with residual billiary impacted stone in the papilla, who underwent laparoscopic transgastric ERCP and a precut “fistulotomy” technique with needle - knife, was highly successful, without add significant morbidity to the procedure.

Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract plus core-out fistulectomy for complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract plus core-out fistulectomy for complex cryptoglandular anal fistulas.Methods Forty-one patients were divided into ligation and control group randomly.In ligation group (20 cases),patients underwent ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract plus core-out fistulectomy procedure.While in control group (21 cases) fistulotomy on low sphincter with cutting-seton on high sphincter procedure was performed.The primary end points of the study were healing rate and continence by using the Wexner score.Secondary end points were postoperative pain in the third and seventh day with the use of the visual analog scale,length of hospital stay and followed measures for a recurrent fistula.Comparison of measurement data using independent samples t-test or paired samples t-test,compared with the count data using Fisher's exact test.Results There was no statistical difference in the healing rate between ligation group (90％) and control group (95％) (P ＞0.05).Postoperatively,one case in ligation group reported incontinence for gas,compared to 7 cases in control group,among these 7 cases 2 cases also had incontinence for watery stool.Statistical differences were found between two groups in Wexner scores,visual analog scale scores and length of hospital stay (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract plus core-out fistulectomy is an economical,safe,little painful,recovery enhanced and minimally invasive technique to treat complex anal fistulas.

Study of management of 25 cases of fistula- in-ano.

Background: Fistula-in-ano forms a good majority of treatable benign lesions of the rectum and anal canal. 90% or so of these cases are end results of crypto glandular infections. Despite the easy of diagnosis, establishing a cure is problematic on two accounts. Firstly, many patients tend to let their ailment nag them rather than being subject to examination, mostly owing to the site of this disease. The more important second factor is that a significant percent of these diseases persist or recur when the right modality of surgery is not adopted or when the post-operative care is inadequate. Aim and objectives: To know the usefulnessof investigative procedures in early and accurate diagnosis of fistula in ano. To study the efficacy of different modalities of surgical approach with reference to post-operative hospital stay and complication like pain, bleeding and sphincter incontinence and outcome in respect to persistence /recurrence of fistulae. Material and methods: A total of 25 patients with clinically diagnosed fistula in ano were included in the study. Clinical history was obtained in all the patients. Clinical examination including per rectal examination and proctoscopy was done in all the patients. All the patients were processed by routine investigations, ECG, ches X -ray etc. prior to surgery. Patients were followed up to a period of 1 year. Results: 6 patients i.e. 24% had similar illness out of them two previously operated for fistula with recurrence, and four patients with similar illness and resolved without treatment. In this study, 72% of patients had low level of fistula and another 28% of patients had an internal opening situated above the ano rectal ring. Patients with low level fistula were treated with fistulotomy and fistulectomy and patients with high level fistula were treated with seton placement. In this study 60 % of patients underwent fistulotomy, 12 % of patients fistulectomy and another 28% seton placement. Patients with low level fistula were treated with fistulotomy and fistulectomy and patients with high level fistula were treated with seton placement. Conclusion: Fistula-in-ano is an important, commonest disease due to crypto glandular infection (anal glands) and has a complication of ano rectal abscess. It is curable disease by the treatment of surgery and higher antibiotics, local antibiotics with good post-operative wound management, like sits bath for twice a day without closing the wound.

PCRE: ampulotomía o fistulotomía suprapapilar con needle knife para acceder a la vía biliar en canulación dificil / ERCP: ampulotomy or suprapapillary fistulotomy with needle knife to access bile ductin difficult cannulation

INTRODUCCIÓN: la canulación profunda de la via biliar principal es requisito para una Pancreato-colangiografía Retrograda Endoscópica (PCRE) de carácter terapéutico. El pre corte es una técnica practicada en casos de canulación difícil. Objetivo: Reportar los casos de pacientes con canulación difícil y fistulotomia suprapapilar como un método para la canulación selectiva del colédoco. Reportar la eficacia, hallazgos demográficos, endoscópicos y complicaciones de éste procedimiento. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo, descriptivo y observacional de casos. Se ha realizado en 93 pacientes sometidos a PCRE con canulación difícil en quienes se practicó el pre corte tipo Fistulotomia, en un Centro privado de Endoscopia Digestiva del 2000 al 2010 en Lima. RESULTADOS: En 1205 (100%) CPRE se hicieron 1152 (96%) papiloesfinterotomias, de éstos en 93 casos (8%) casos se hizo fistulotomia previa a la papiloesfinterotomia. El grupo atareo más frecuente fue de 61 a 70 años, la relación F:M, 2.4:1. La eficacia fue 96%, los hallazgos endoscópicos más frecuentes fueron Odditis, impactación de cálculo y la presencia de ampuloma, los diagnósticos finales fueron enfermedad litiásica (34%), seguida de la Odditis con o sin litiasis coledociana (29%), en el 75% de casos se realizó terapéutica, el 8.5% de casos presentó complicaciones (pancreatitis y sangrado). No se registró perforaciones ni colangitis. CONCLUSIONES: en esta serie la fistulotomia en casos de canulación difícil es eficaz, es más frecuente en casos de Odditis, cálculo impactado y ampuloma y las complicaciones son bajas. RECOMENDACIONES: el pre corte tipo fistulotomia está dirigida a pacientes que requieren PCRE terapéutica, la decisión de realizarla debe ser precoz, la firma de un consentimiento informado es primordial.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary conducts deep cannulation is a requirement for therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP). The pre-cut papillotomy is a technique for difficult cannulation cases. Aims: Report cases of hard cannulation and suprapapilar fistulotomy as a method for selective common bile duct cannulation. Report efficacy, demographic and endoscopic findings and complications of this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive and prospective study of cases. Sample of 93 patients who had a difficult cannulation ERCP, in which suprapapilar fistulotomy pre-cut type was done, in a private digestive endoscopic center between 2000 and 2010 in Lima, Peru. RESULTS: 1205 (100%) ERCP were made 1152 (96%) papillosphincterotomies. Fistulotomy was done in 93 cases (8%) of these papillosphincterotomies. The most prevalent age group was 61 to 70 years old, the female-male proportion was 2.4:1. The efficacy was 96%. The most prevalent endoscopy findings were odditis, gallstone impactation and ampulloma presence, final diagnosis were lithiasic disease (34%), Odditis with or without common bile duct lithiasis (29%). Therapeutic ERCP was done in 75% of the cases, 8.5% showed complications (pancreatitis and bleeding). No perforation or cholangitis were registered. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series, fistulotomy in difficult cannulation procedures had good efficacy. Is most prevalent in cases with odditis, gallstone impactation and ampulloma. Complications of the procedure are low. RECOMMENDATIONS: The fistulotomy type of pre-cut is leaded for patients who require therapeutic ERCP. The decision for doing the procedure must be precocious and informed consent is primordial.

Comparison of a Fistulectomy and a Fistulotomy with Marsupialization in the Management of a Simple Anal Fistula: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Trial

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare a fistulectomy and a fistulotomy with marsupialization in the management of a simple anal fistula. METHODS: Forty patients with simple anal fistula were randomized into two groups. Fistulous tracts were managed by using a fistulectomy (group A) while a fistulotomy with marsupialization was performed in group B. The primary outcome measure was wound healing time while secondary outcome measures were operating time, postoperative wound size, postoperative pain, wound infection, anal incontinence, recurrence and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Postoperative wounds in group B healed earlier in comparison to group A wounds (4.85 +/- 1.39 weeks vs. 6.75 +/- 1.83 weeks, P = 0.035). No significant differences existed between the operating times (28.00 +/- 6.35 minutes vs. 28.20 +/- 6.57 minutes, P = 0.925) and visual analogue scale scores for postoperative pain on the first postoperative day (4.05 +/- 1.47 vs. 4.50 +/- 1.32, P = 0.221) for the two groups. Postoperative wounds were larger in group A than in group B (2.07 +/- 0.1.90 cm2 vs. 1.23 +/- 0.87 cm2), however this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.192). Wound discharge was observed for a significantly longer duration in group A than in group B (4.10 +/- 1.91 weeks vs. 2.75 +/- 1.71 weeks, P = 0.035). There were no differences in social and sexual activities after surgery between the patients of the two groups. No patient developed anal incontinence or recurrence during the follow-up period of twelve weeks. CONCLUSION: In comparison to a fistulectomy, a fistulotomy with marsupialization results in faster healing and a shorter duration of wound discharge without increasing the operating time.

Fistulopapilotomia por sobre balão transpapilar em pacientes com Billroth II: uma nova técnica / Fistulotomy over transpapillary balloon in patientes with Billroth II: a new technique

Introdução: A CPRE diagnóstica e terapêutica, em pacientes com gastrectomia à Billroth 11, é mais difícil devido às alterações anatômicas. Acessórios e técnicas têm sido desenvolvidos para minimizar estas adversidades. Objetivo: Nova técnica de acesso biliar em pacientes gastrectomizados à Billroth 11. Pacientes: No período de fevereiro de 2003 a agosto de 2007, foram realizadas 157 CPRE em pacientes gastrectomizados à Billroth 11, por coledocolitíase. Em 37 desses pacientes, não foi possível cateterização pela técnica convencional, sendo submetidos a nova técnica. Métodos: Após fistulopapilotomia para acessar via biliar principal, passava-se fio-guia de 0,035mm, seguido por balão dilatador de 8mm, que se mantinha transpapilar. Pelo canal de trabalho, passava-se o estilete; ao posicionar em frente à papila, procedia-se secção do esfíncter por sobre balão insuflado com contraste até desaparecimento da cintura na radioscopia. Resultados: Dos 37 pacientes submetidos ao novo procedimento, seis foram excluídos. Dezesseis pacientes (51,6%) eram do sexo feminino e quinze (48,4%) do masculino. A idade variou de 29 a 89 anos, com média de 62,3 anos. Todos tinham icterícia clínica e laboratorial. O tempo do procedimento variou de 18 a 48 minutos (30 minutos). O diâmetro da via biliar foi de 4,5 a 12,8mm (7,7mm), apresentando de um a quatro cálculos. Ocorreram seis (19,3%) complicações relacionadas ao procedimento, sendo três (9,7%) pancreatites, duas (6,4%) hemorragias e uma (3,2%) perfuração. Não houve óbitos relacionados ao procedimento. Conclusão: O sucesso desta técnica foi de 83,8% (31 dos 37 casos), sendo 88,6% (31 de 35 casos) se considerarmos apenas a canulação da via biliar, portanto método seguro e eficaz em pacientes com Billroth 11 e papila duodenal difícil.

Surgery in an Intersphincteric Fistula

An intersphincteric fistula is the most common type of fistula, about 70% of all fistulas, and is often encountered by the surgeon during anal surgery. The operative procedures include a simple fistulotomy, a fistulectomy, a cutting seton technique, and a sphincter-saving technique. Most posterior-located intersphincteric fistulas can be successfully treated by using the lay-open technique, but using that technique in cases of lateral- or anterior-located fistulas may result in incontinence or anal deformity. In this respect, a sphincter-saving technique has more advantage in sparing anal function than other procedures in cases of lateral or anterior fistulas, but the recurrence rate is high. The delayed open method with seton techniques have a low recurrence rate, but do not preserve anal function well. As mentioned above, the operative method for treating intersphincteric fistulas should be suitable for keeping sphincter tone and should have a low recurrence rate. This article discusses the rationale for and the estimated effectiveness of many operative methods for treating intersphincteric fistulas.

Clinical Usefulness of Endoscopic Choledochoduochoduodenal Fistulotomy in Patients with Ampullary Cancer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGORUND/AIMS: Endoscopic choledochoduodenal fistulotomy(fistulotomy), using a needle-knife sphin-cterotome as an alternative to failed duct cannulation and subsequent endoscopic drainage in patients with ampullary cancer, can be performed in patients with a suprapapillary bulged or distorted papilla. The purpose of this prospective sutdy was to evaluate the safety and clinical usefulness of endoscopic fistulotomy in patients with ampullary cancer. METHODS: Of the 29 patients with ampullary cancer requiring biliary drainage, 13 patients with a suprapapillary bulged papilla underwent fistulotomy either alone or followed by an upward extension of the fistulous orifice using a standard sphincterotome (fistulotomy group). Of the remaing 16 patients, transpapillary biliary stenting was successful in 13 patients (biliary stenting group). In both group, the rate of successful bile duct cannulation and effective biliary drainage were assessed and compared. RESULTS: Bile duct cannulation was successful in 92.3% of the patients in the fistulotomy group and 81.3% of patients in the biliary stenting group, and the only complications were mild bleeding in 1 patient (7.7%) and cholangitis in 1 patient(6.3%). The success rate for initial biliary drainage with the fistulotomy or transpapillary stenting were 100% and 84.6%, respectively. Of the 12 patients in whom biliary drainage was used as the definite treatment, the symptom-free duration was 3.2 months in 6 patients of the fistulotomy group and 3.9 months in 6 patients in the biliary stenting group. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic fistulotomy is safe and effective for both preoperative and palliative biliary decompression in patients with ampullary cancer and it is suggested that the procedure can be applied primarily to increase the success rate of biliary access and subsequent biliary drainage especially in patients with a bulged papilla.

The Effect of Fistulectomy with Seton in Intersphincteric Fistula

Intersphincteric fistulas are the most prevalent fistulas encountered by a surgeon. In general, there are two surgical methods for treating intersphincteric fistulas: fistulotomy and fistulectomy. The advantage of a fistulotomy is less sphincter muscle destruction; the disadvantage is a higher recurrence rate. The advantage of a fistulectomy is a lower recurrence rate; the disadvantage is more sphincter muscle destruction and a higher flatus incontinence rate. Because of the disadvantages with both surgical methods, the authors have developed a new method for treating intersphincteric fistulas. The new method is a fistulectomy with seton. A fistulectomy with seton is a seton tightening of the remaining internal sphincter and subcutaneous external sphincter after coring out of the fistula tract. The advantages of this method are a lower recurrence rate due to complete removal of the fistula and a lower flatus incontinence rate due to the seton slowly cutting the remaining sphincter muscle. For that reason, the authors submit that fistulectomy with seton is the most effective operation method for treating intersphincteric fistulas, especially because fistulectomy with seton has many advantages such as a lower recurrence rate, a lower flatus incontinence rate, and less anal deformity.