Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) for the treatment of anal fistula: a prospective observational study

Background: The ligation of intersphincteric fistula fract (LIFT) technique avoids postoperative anal continence disturbances and preserves quality of life. Methods: A total of 70 patients with anal fistula (AF) were treated in the Day Surgery Unit. The LIFT technique was the primary treatment in 63 patients. The other had previously undergone placement of a loose seton (two-step approach). The mean follow-up was 66.8 months. Statistical analysis was performed using contingency tables, the chi-square test, and the Student T-test. Results: The use of LIFT was successful in 40 patients (57.1%). However, 6 patients (8.6%) presented persistence of postoperative intersphincteric fistula, being successfully treated by fistulotomy. There were no differences in this technique's success rate between high and low AF (p = 0.45). The success rate of one-step LIFT, however, was significantly higher (p = 0.03). No disturbances of continence were observed. Conclusions: The LIFT technique has a role in the treatment of AF, is suitable for ambulatory surgery, and has a low complications rate. A two-step approach is not always needed. (AU)

Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure and its modifications / Procedimento de ligadura de trato de fístula interesfincteriana e suas modificações

ABSTRACT Purpose: Treatment of anal fistulae is regarded as a challenge due to the diverse nature of this disease and its countless complications. Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure and its modifications have been popularized among many surgeons worldwide due to their simplicity and promising outcomes. The main purpose of this article was to conduct a comprehensives review of the published literature on ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure and its modifications. Method: PubMed, the Cochrane database and Ovid were searched from January 2007 to June 2017. Fully published peer-reviewed studies which applied ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure and its modifications for the treatment of anal fistulae of cryptogenic origin with follow-up of median 12 months were eligible. Uncompleted studies, case reports, reviews, abstracts, letters, short communication, comments, and studies which did not fulfill inclusion criteria were excluded. The primary outcome was to measure primary healing, overall healing, failure, and recurrence of ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract procedure and its modifications. Results: Twenty-two studies were identified with only ten studies meeting criteria of inclusion. Original ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract was performed in five studies with a population of 199 patients while the remaining five studies showed four different modifications of the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract with a total number of 147 patients. Both original LIFT and its modifications have promising as well as potentially similar outcomes; primary healing in the original ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (73.95%) (95% CI 60.3-85.6) performed less than the modifications (82.3%) (95% CI 64.8-94.7). Overall healing in the original ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (78.9%) (95% CI 58.5-93.7) performed relatively less than in the modifications (93.6%) (95% CI 81.4-99.6). Failure in the original ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (17.9%) (95% CI 4.9-36.5) performed almost the same as the modifications (17.7%) (95% CI 5.3-35.2). Recurrence in the original ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract was 9.7% (95% CI 1.7-23.2). However, there was no recurrence in the modifications. Conclusion: Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract and its modifications are effective and simple procedures in treating simple anal fistulae, especially high transsphincteric ones. However, more trials should be performed to evaluate its effectiveness regarding complex fistulae.

RESUMO Objetivo: O tratamento de fístulas anais é considerado um desafio devido à natureza diversa dessa doença e suas incontáveis complicações. O procedimento de ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana e suas modificações foi popularizado entre cirurgiões em todo o mundo devido a sua simplicidade e desfechos promissores. O principal objetivo deste artigo foi conduzir uma revisão abrangente da literatura publicada sobre o procedimento de ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana e suas modificações. Método: as bases de dados PubMed, Cochrane e Ovid foram pesquisadas de janeiro de 2007 a junho de 2017. Estudos publicados com revisão por pares que aplicaram o procedimento de ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana e suas modificações para o tratamento de fístulas anais de origem criptogênica com acompanhamento de mediana de 12 meses foram elegíveis. Estudos incompletos, relatos de casos, revisões, resumos, cartas, comunicação breve, comentários e estudos que não preenchiam os critérios de inclusão foram excluídos. O desfecho primário foi medir a cicatrização primária, a cicatrização geral, falhas e recorrência do procedimento de ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana e suas modificações. Resultados: Vinte e dois estudos foram identificados com apenas dez estudos atendendo aos critérios de inclusão. A ligadura original do trato da fístula interesfincteriana foi realizada em cinco estudos com uma população de 199 pacientes, enquanto os cinco estudos restantes apresentaram quatro modificações diferentes da ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana com um total de 147 pacientes. Tanto o LIFT original quanto suas modificações têm resultados promissores e desfechos potencialmente semelhantes; cicatrização primária na ligadura original do trato da fístula interesfincteriana de 73,95% (IC 95% 60,3-85,6) menos realizada que as modificações de 82,3% (IC 95% 64,8-94,7). Cicatrização geral na ligadura original do trato da fístula interesfincteriana de 78,9% (IC 95% 58,5-93,7) realizada relativamente menos do que as modificações (93,6%, IC 95% 81,4-99,6). A falha na ligadura original do trato da fístula interesfincteriana (17,9%; IC 95% 4,9-36,5) realizada quase tanto quanto as modificações (17,7%; IC 95% 5,3-35,2). Recidiva na ligadura original do trato da fístula interesfincteriana em 9,7% (IC 95% 1,7-23,2). No entanto, não houve recorrência nas modificações. Conclusão: A ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana e suas modificações são procedimentos eficazes e simples no tratamento de fístulas anais simples, especialmente as transesfincterianas altas. No entanto, mais estudos devem ser realizados para avaliar sua eficácia em relação às fístulas complexas.

Long-term outcomes of (Gore) fistula plug versus ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract for anal fistula / Desfechos de longo prazo do tampão de fístula (Gore) versus ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana (LIFT) para fístula anal

ABSTRACT Background: The surgical treatment of anal fistula is complex due to the possibility of fecal incontinence. Fistulotomy and cutting Setons have the same incidence of fecal incontinence depending on the complexity of the fistula. Sphincter-preserving procedures such as anal fistula plug and ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract procedure may result in more recurrence requiring repeated operations. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the outcomes of treating fistula in Ano utilizing two methods: Fistula plug (Gore Bio-A) and ligation of intersphincteric tract (LIFT). Methods: Fifty four patients (33 males; 21 female, median ages 42 [range 32-47] years) with high anal inter-transphenteric fistula were treated with LIFT and fistula plug procedures from September 2011 until August 2016 by a single surgeon and were retrospectively evaluated. All were followed for a median of 23.9 (range 4-54) months with clinical examination. Twenty one patients underwent fistula plug and 33 patients underwent LIFT procedure (4 patients of the LIFT group underwent LIFT and rectal mucosa advancement flap). The healing rate and complications were evaluated clinically and through telephone calls. Results: The mean operative time for the Plug was 25 ± 17 min and for the LIFT was 40 ± 20 min (p = 0.017) and the mean hospital stay was 2.4 ± 1.1 and 1.9 ± 0.3 (p = 0.01) respectively. The early complications of the plug and LIFT procedures included; anal pain (33.3%, 66.6%, p = 0.13), perianal discharge (77.8%, 91%, p = 0.62), anal pruritus (38.9%, 50.0%, p = 0.71) and bleeding per rectum (16.7%, 33.3%, p = 0.39) respectively. The overall mean follow-up was 20.9 ± 16.8 months, p = 0.68. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (21.9 ± 7.5 months, 19.9 ± 16.1 months, p = 0.682). The healing rate was 76.2% (16/21 patients) in the fistula plug group and 81.1% (27/33 patients) in the LIFT group (p = 0.73). Patients who had LIFT procedure and a mucosal advancement flap had 100% healing rate (4 out of 4 patients). No incontinence of stool or feces and no fistula plug expulsion were seen in our patients. The healing time ranged from 1 to 6 months after surgery. There was no post-operative perianal abscess, cellulitis or pain. Conclusions: LIFT and anal plug are safe procedures for patients with primary and recurrent anal fistula. Both techniques showed excellent results in terms of healing and complication rate. None of our patients had incontinence after 5 years follow-up. The best success rate in our patients was seen after LIFT procedure with mucosal advancement flap. Larger and controlled randomized trials are needed for better assessment of treatment options.

RESUMO Introdução: O tratamento cirúrgico da fístula anal é complexo devido à possibilidade de incontinência fecal. A fistulotomia e o seton de corte têm a mesma incidência da incontinência fecal, dependendo da complexidade da fístula. Procedimentos de preservação do esfíncter, como o tampão da fístula anal e o procedimento LIFT (ligadura do trato da fístula interesfincteriana), podem resultar em mais recorrência, exigindo cirurgias repetidas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar os desfechos do tratamento da fístula anal utilizando dois métodos: Tampão de fístula (Gore Bio-A) e Ligadura do Trato Interesfincteriano (LIFT). Métodos: Cinquenta e quatro pacientes (33 homens; 21 mulheres, com mediana de idade de 42 [variação 32-47] anos) foram tratados com LIFT e procedimentos com tampão de fístula de setembro de 2011 até agosto de 2016 por um único cirurgião e foram avaliados retrospectivamente. Todos foram acompanhados por uma mediana de 23,9 (variação de 4 a 54) meses com exame clínico. Vinte e um pacientes foram submetidos a tampão de fístula e 33 pacientes foram submetidos ao procedimento LIFT (4 pacientes do grupo LIFT foram submetidos a LIFT e retalho de avanço da mucosa retal). A taxa de cicatrização e as complicações foram avaliadas clinicamente e por meio de ligações telefônicas. Resultados: O tempo cirúrgico médio para o Tampão foi de 25 ± 17 minutos e para o LIFT foi de 40 ± 20 minutos (p = 0,017) e o tempo médio de internação foi de 2,4 ± 1,1 e 1,9 ± 0,3 (p = 0,01), respectivamente. As primeiras complicações dos procedimentos de tampão e LIFT incluíram: dor anal (33,3%, 66,6%, p = 0,13), secreção perianal (77,8%, 91%, p = 0,62), prurido anal (38,9%, 50,0%, p = 0,71) e sangramento pelo reto (16,7%, 33,3 %, p = 0,39) respectivamente. A média geral de acompanhamento foi de 20,9 ± 16,8 meses, p = 0,68. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos (21,9 ± 7,5 meses, 19,9 ± 16,1 meses, p = 0,682). A taxa de cicatrização foi de 76,2% (16/21 pacientes) no grupo com tampão de fístula e 81,1% (27/33 pacientes) no grupo LIFT (p = 0,73). Pacientes submetidos ao procedimento LIFT e um retalho de avanço da mucosa tiveram 100% de taxa de cura (4 de 4 pacientes). Nenhuma incontinência fecal e nenhuma expulsão do tampão da fístula foram observadas em nossos pacientes. O tempo de cicatrização variou de 1 a 6 meses após a cirurgia. Não houve abscesso perianal, celulite ou dor no pós-operatório. Conclusões: LIFT e tampão anal são procedimentos seguros para pacientes com fístula anal primária e recorrente. Ambas as técnicas apresentaram excelentes resultados em termos de cicatrização e taxa de complicações. Nenhum de nossos pacientes teve incontinência após 5 anos de acompanhamento. A melhor taxa de sucesso em nossos pacientes foi observada após o procedimento LIFT com retalho de avanço da mucosa. Ensaios clínicos randomizados de maior porte e controlados são necessários para melhor avaliação das opções de tratamento.

Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract versus incision-thread-drawing procedure for complicated anal fistula: A Meta-analysis / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To systematically investigate the clinical efficiency and safety of ligation of inter sphincteric fistula tract versus incision-thread-drawing procedure for complicated anal fistula.Methods Searched PubMed,The Cochrane Library,CNKI,WanFang Data,and VIP from inception to May 2016,to collect randomized controlled trials of ligation of inter sphincteric fistula tract versus incision-thread-drawing procedure for complicated anal fistula.Search term included ligation of inter sphincteric fistula tract,fistula,incision-thread-drawing procedure,randomized controlled trial.The literatures were screened according to inclusive criteria,data were extracted and the quality of included studies was evaluated,and then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 soft ware.A total of 5 randomized controlled trials including 305 patients were included.Results The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with incision-thread-drawing procedure,ligation of inter sphincteric fistula tract had a significant difference in amount of bleeding during surgery (MD =-18.30,95％ CI:-19.91 ～-16.69,P ＜ 0.000 01),the duration of pain (MD =-4.38,95％ CI:-4.69 ～-4.08,P ＜ 0.000 01),healing time (MD =-10.28,95％ CI:-15.71 ～-4.86,P =0.0002),hospital stay (MD =-7.44,95％CI:-10.87～-4.02,P＜0.000 1),recurrence rate (OR=0.31,95％CI:0.10～0.91,P=0.03).There was no significant difference in Operation time (MD =-5.83,95 ％ CI:-7.64 ～-4.02,P ＜ 0.000 01),effective percentage (OR =4.35,95％ CI:0.89 ～ 21.32,P =0.07) between both groups.Conclusion Compared with incision-thread-drawing procedure,ligation of inter sphincteric fistula tract shows significant advantage in cure rate,postoperative healing time,reducing post-operation pain,anal function protection and recurrence rate.

Clinical efficacy of ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract for the treatment of high anal fistula / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) for the treatment of high anal fistula.Methods The clinical data of 77 patients with high anal fistula who were admitted to the Puren Hospital and Chaoyang Hospital from January 2011 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were treated using the LIFT method (LIFT group,37 patients) or fistulectomy + threaddrawing therapy (thread-drawing group,40 patients).The operation time,healing time,time and severity of postoperative pain,recurrence and anal sphincter dysfunction were compared between the 2 groups.The measurement data,the count data and the rank data were analyzed using the t test,chi-square test,and the rank sum test,respectively.Results The operation time of the LIFT group and the thread-drawing group were (21.4 ± 2.0) minutes and (20.6 ± 1.9) minutes,with no significant difference between the 2 groups (t =1.911,P ＞ 0.05).In the LIFT group,17 patients felt low-grade pain,no patient felt medium-grade or severe pain.In the thread-drawing group,7 patients felt low-grade pain,14 patients felt medium-grade pain,19 patients felt severe pain.The duration of postoperative pain in the LIFT group and the thread-drawing group were (3.0 ± 1.3) days and (14.1 ± 1.5)days,respectively.The severity and duration of postoperative pain of the LIFT group were significant lower and shorter than those of the thread-drawing group (u =-7.189,t =34.534,P ＜ 0.05).The healing time,anal scar area and anal sphincter function score were (26.0 ± 1.9) days,(1.24 ± 0.20) cm2 and 1 in the LIFT group,and (40.7 ± 2.8) days,(2.64 ± 0.25) cm2 and 4 in the thread-drawing group,with no significant difference between the 2 groups (t =26.574,26.868,Z =-7.513,P ＜ 0.05).The effective rate of the 2 treatment methods were 100％.The cure rate and recurrence rate were 51.4％ (19/37) and 5.4％ (2/37) in the LIFT group,and 42.5％ (17/40) and 2.5％ (1/40) in the thread-drawing group.There were no significant differences in the cure rate and recurrence rate between the 2 groups (x2=0.605,0.433,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion LIFF method has higher cure rate for high anal fistula with short time of postoperative pain and healing,good anal sphincter function and low recurrence rate.