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.

Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal: A report of two cases with review of literature.

Adenocarcinoma of the anal canal accounts for about 20% of all anal canal cancers. It is subclassified into two types. (1) Colorectal type, which arises from the mucosa above dentate line and (2) extramucosal type, which includes adenocarcinoma arising in anorectal fistulae and adenocarcinoma arising from anal glands. Anal gland adenocarcinomas are extremely rare. In this article, we present two cases of anal adenocarcinoma, one colorectal type, and other anal gland carcinoma along with review of literature.

Managing Deep Postanal Space Sepsis via an Intersphincteric Approach: Our Early Experience

PURPOSE: Managing deep postanal (DPA) sepsis often involves multiple procedures over a long time. An intersphincteric approach allows adequate drainage to be performed while tackling the primary pathology at the same sitting. The aim of our study was to evaluate this novel technique in managing DPA sepsis. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent this intersphincteric technique in managing DPA sepsis from February 2008 to October 2010 was performed. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with a median age of 43 years (range, 32 to 71 years) and comprised of 94.1% (n = 16) males formed the study group. In all patients, an internal opening in the posterior midline with a tract leading to the deep postanal space was identified. This intersphincteric approach operation was adopted as the primary procedure in 12 patients (70.6%) and was successful in 11 (91.7%). In the only failure, the sepsis recurred, and a successful advancement flap procedure was eventually performed. Five other patients (29.4%) underwent this same procedure as a secondary procedure after an initial drainage operation. Only one was successful. In the remaining four patients, one had a recurrent abscess that required drainage while the other three patients had a tract between the internal opening and the intersphincteric incision. They subsequently underwent a drainage procedure with seton insertion and advancement flap procedures. CONCLUSION: Managing DPA space sepsis via an intersphincteric approach is successful in 70.6% of patients. This single-staged technique allows for effective drainage of the sepsis and removal of the primary pathology in the intersphincteric space.

A Case of Anal Gland Cyst Treated by Endoscopic Resection / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The anal canal is the most distal part of the gastrointestinal tract, and it is developed and formed during the embryonic period. Infection is the most common disease process that occurs around the anorectum, yet tumors or cysts are occasionally encountered. The abnormal development of these parts of the gastrointestinal track during the embryonic period can result in congenital lesions that are discovered in young children or adults. A 72-year-old woman presented to us with postprandial lower abdominal discomfort and fecal incontinence. An anorectal mass was felt on the rectal examination. The colonoscopy demonstrated a submucosal tumor that was closely located to the anorectal junction. The tumor was excised with a snare and it was diagnosed as an analgland cyst due to the histologic features. It is necessary to differentiate anal gland cyst from the other diseases that have submucosal characters, such as carcinoid tumor.