ABSTRACT
Treatment of perianal fistulas are challenged by insufficient healing and a high rate of relapse. Existing sphincter-sparing procedures have healing rates of around 50%. Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells of both autologous and allogenic origin and freshly collected autologous adipose tissue show both promising healing rates and few complications and may be offered to patients with complicated fistulas not suited for other treatment modalities.
Subject(s)
Cutaneous Fistula , Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Rectal Fistula , Anal Canal , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/methods , Organ Sparing Treatments/adverse effects , Rectal Fistula/etiology , Rectal Fistula/surgery , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Cryptoglandular anal fistulas (AF) cause recurrent anal abscesses and patients risk multiple surgeries due to low healing rates of sphincter-saving procedures. Knowledge of anal anatomy and imaging with MRI or endoanal sonography is crucial to classify AF as simple or complex depending on risk of anal incontinence after fistulotomy as summarised in this review. Fistulotomy has healing rates of > 90%, risks incontinence, and the procedure is reserved for simple fistulas. Complex AF are treated with a draining seton and then with sphincter-saving procedures which have long-term healing rates of about 50%.