Fistula-in-Ano Questions & Answers

1. Anal fistula. Corman ML, Bergamaschi RCM, Nicholls RJ, Fazio VW, eds. Corman's Colon and Rectal Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013. 384-427.

2. Manwaring ML. Anal fistula. Fazio VW, Church JM, Delaney CP, Kiran RP, eds. Current Therapy in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2017. 24-9.

3. Cosman BC. All's Well That Ends Well: Shakespeare's treatment of anal fistula. Dis Colon Rectum. 1998 Jul. 41 (7):914-24. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

4. Phillips J, Lees N, Arnall F. Current management of fistula-in-ano. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2015 Mar. 76 (3):142, 144-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

5. Davis BR, Kasten KR. Anorectal abscess and fistula. Steele SR, Hull TL, Read TE, Saclarides TJ, Senagore AJ, Whitlow CB, eds. The ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2016. Vol 1: 215-44.

6. Williams JG, Farrands PA, Williams AB, Taylor BA, Lunniss PJ, Sagar PM, et al. The treatment of anal fistula: ACPGBI position statement. Colorectal Dis. 2007 Oct. 9 Suppl 4:18-50. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

7. Rosen L. Anorectal abscess-fistulae. Surg Clin North Am. 1994 Dec. 74 (6):1293-308. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

8. Ross ST. Fistula in ano. Surg Clin North Am. 1988 Dec. 68 (6):1417-26. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

9. Parks AG, Gordon PH, Hardcastle JD. A classification of fistula-in-ano. Br J Surg. 1976 Jan. 63 (1):1-12. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

10. Hancock BD. ABC of colorectal diseases. Anal fissures and fistulas. BMJ. 1992 Apr 4. 304 (6831):904-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

11. Hämäläinen KP, Sainio AP. Incidence of fistulas after drainage of acute anorectal abscesses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1998 Nov. 41 (11):1357-61; discussion 1361-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

12. Ramanujam PS, Prasad ML, Abcarian H. The role of seton in fistulotomy of the anus. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1983 Nov. 157 (5):419-22. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

13. Sainio P. Fistula-in-ano in a defined population. Incidence and epidemiological aspects. Ann Chir Gynaecol. 1984. 73 (4):219-24. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

14. Sun MR, Smith MP, Kane RA. Current techniques in imaging of fistula in ano: three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2008 Dec. 29 (6):454-71. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

15. Weisman RI, Orsay CP, Pearl RK, Abcarian H. The role of fistulography in fistula-in-ano. Report of five cases. Dis Colon Rectum. 1991 Feb. 34 (2):181-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

16. Nevler A, Beer-Gabel M, Lebedyev A, Soffer A, Gutman M, Carter D, et al. Transperineal ultrasonography in perianal Crohn's disease and recurrent cryptogenic fistula-in-ano. Colorectal Dis. 2013 Aug. 15 (8):1011-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

17. Beckingham IJ, Spencer JA, Ward J, Dyke GW, Adams C, Ambrose NS. Prospective evaluation of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of fistula in ano. Br J Surg. 1996 Oct. 83 (10):1396-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

18. Buchanan GN, Halligan S, Williams AB, Cohen CR, Tarroni D, Phillips RK, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging for primary fistula in ano. Br J Surg. 2003 Jul. 90 (7):877-81. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

19. Seow-Choen F, Nicholls RJ. Anal fistula. Br J Surg. 1992 Mar. 79 (3):197-205. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

20. Present DH, Rutgeerts P, Targan S, Hanauer SB, Mayer L, van Hogezand RA, et al. Infliximab for the treatment of fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. N Engl J Med. 1999 May 6. 340 (18):1398-405. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

21. Cho YB, Park KJ, Yoon SN, Song KH, Kim do S, Jung SH, et al. Long-term results of adipose-derived stem cell therapy for the treatment of Crohn's fistula. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2015 May. 4 (5):532-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

22. Garcia-Olmo D, Guadalajara H, Rubio-Perez I, Herreros MD, de-la-Quintana P, Garcia-Arranz M. Recurrent anal fistulae: limited surgery supported by stem cells. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Mar 21. 21 (11):3330-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

23. Afşarlar CE, Karaman A, Tanır G, Karaman I, Yılmaz E, Erdoğan D, et al. Perianal abscess and fistula-in-ano in children: clinical characteristic, management and outcome. Pediatr Surg Int. 2011 Oct. 27 (10):1063-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

24. [Guideline] Gaertner WB, Burgess PL, Davids JS, Lightner AL, Shogan BD, Sun MY, et al. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anorectal Abscess, Fistula-in-Ano, and Rectovaginal Fistula. Dis Colon Rectum. 2022 Aug 1. 65 (8):964-985. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

25. Ho YH, Tan M, Leong AF, Seow-Choen F. Marsupialization of fistulotomy wounds improves healing: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Surg. 1998 Jan. 85 (1):105-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

26. Sangwan YP, Rosen L, Riether RD, Stasik JJ, Sheets JA, Khubchandani IT. Is simple fistula-in-ano simple?. Dis Colon Rectum. 1994 Sep. 37 (9):885-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

27. Blumetti J, Abcarian A, Quinteros F, Chaudhry V, Prasad L, Abcarian H. Evolution of treatment of fistula in ano. World J Surg. 2012 May. 36 (5):1162-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

28. McCourtney JS, Finlay IG. Setons in the surgical management of fistula in ano. Br J Surg. 1995 Apr. 82 (4):448-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

29. Memon AA, Murtaza G, Azami R, Zafar H, Chawla T, Laghari AA. Treatment of complex fistula in ano with cable-tie seton: a prospective case series. ISRN Surg. 2011. 2011:636952. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

30. Cox SW, Senagore AJ, Luchtefeld MA, Mazier WP. Outcome after incision and drainage with fistulotomy for ischiorectal abscess. Am Surg. 1997 Aug. 63 (8):686-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

31. Hammond TM, Knowles CH, Porrett T, Lunniss PJ. The Snug Seton: short and medium term results of slow fistulotomy for idiopathic anal fistulae. Colorectal Dis. 2006 May. 8 (4):328-37. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

32. Dziki A, Bartos M. Seton treatment of anal fistula: experience with a new modification. Eur J Surg. 1998 Jul. 164 (7):543-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

33. Abbas MA, Lemus-Rangel R, Hamadani A. Long-term outcome of endorectal advancement flap for complex anorectal fistulae. Am Surg. 2008 Oct. 74 (10):921-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

34. Leng Q, Jin HY. Anal fistula plug vs mucosa advancement flap in complex fistula-in-ano: A meta-analysis. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2012 Nov 27. 4 (11):256-61. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

35. Chung W, Kazemi P, Ko D, Sun C, Brown CJ, Raval M, et al. Anal fistula plug and fibrin glue versus conventional treatment in repair of complex anal fistulas. Am J Surg. 2009 May. 197 (5):604-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

36. O'Riordan JM, Datta I, Johnston C, Baxter NN. A systematic review of the anal fistula plug for patients with Crohn's and non-Crohn's related fistula-in-ano. Dis Colon Rectum. 2012 Mar. 55 (3):351-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

37. Johnson EK, Gaw JU, Armstrong DN. Efficacy of anal fistula plug vs. fibrin glue in closure of anorectal fistulas. Dis Colon Rectum. 2006 Mar. 49 (3):371-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

38. Buchanan GN, Bartram CI, Phillips RK, Gould SW, Halligan S, Rockall TA, et al. Efficacy of fibrin sealant in the management of complex anal fistula: a prospective trial. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Sep. 46 (9):1167-74. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

39. Loungnarath R, Dietz DW, Mutch MG, Birnbaum EH, Kodner IJ, Fleshman JW. Fibrin glue treatment of complex anal fistulas has low success rate. Dis Colon Rectum. 2004 Apr. 47 (4):432-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

40. Champagne BJ, O'Connor LM, Ferguson M, Orangio GR, Schertzer ME, Armstrong DN. Efficacy of anal fistula plug in closure of cryptoglandular fistulas: long-term follow-up. Dis Colon Rectum. 2006 Dec. 49 (12):1817-21. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

41. Safar B, Jobanputra S, Sands D, Weiss EG, Nogueras JJ, Wexner SD. Anal fistula plug: initial experience and outcomes. Dis Colon Rectum. 2009 Feb. 52 (2):248-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

42. Abbas MA, Jackson CH, Haigh PI. Predictors of outcome for anal fistula surgery. Arch Surg. 2011 Sep. 146 (9):1011-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

43. Han JG, Xu HM, Song WL, Jin ML, Gao JS, Wang ZJ, et al. Histologic analysis of acellular dermal matrix in the treatment of anal fistula in an animal model. J Am Coll Surg. 2009 Jun. 208 (6):1099-106. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

44. Senéjoux A, Siproudhis L, Abramowitz L, et al, Groupe d’Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif [GETAID]. Fistula Plug in Fistulising Ano-Perineal Crohn's Disease: a Randomised Controlled Trial. J Crohns Colitis. 2016 Feb. 10 (2):141-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

45. Borreman P, de Gheldere C, Fierens J, Vanclooster P. Can a flap help the plug ? Or vice versa ? Proposing a combined sphincter-sparing anal fistula repair. Acta Chir Belg. 2014 Nov-Dec. 114 (6):376-80. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

46. Rojanasakul A, Pattanaarun J, Sahakitrungruang C, Tantiphlachiva K. Total anal sphincter saving technique for fistula-in-ano; the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract. J Med Assoc Thai. 2007 Mar. 90 (3):581-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

47. Rojanasakul A. LIFT procedure: a simplified technique for fistula-in-ano. Tech Coloproctol. 2009 Sep. 13 (3):237-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

48. Bleier JI, Moloo H, Goldberg SM. Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract: an effective new technique for complex fistulas. Dis Colon Rectum. 2010 Jan. 53 (1):43-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

49. Mushaya C, Bartlett L, Schulze B, Ho YH. Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract compared with advancement flap for complex anorectal fistulas requiring initial seton drainage. Am J Surg. 2012 Sep. 204 (3):283-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Juan L Poggio, MD, MS, FACS, FASCRS Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University; Colon and Rectal Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Colon and Rectal Surgeon and General Surgeon, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Temple University Hospital and Jeanes Hospital

Juan L Poggio, MD, MS, FACS, FASCRS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, Pennsylvania Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John Geibel, MD, MSc, DSc, AGAF Vice Chair and Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Gastrointestinal Medicine, Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine; Director of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Yale-New Haven Hospital; American Gastroenterological Association Fellow; Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine

John Geibel, MD, MSc, DSc, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Physiological Society, American Society of Nephrology, Association for Academic Surgery, International Society of Nephrology, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Oscar Joe Hines, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine

Oscar Joe Hines, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David L Morris, MD, PhD, FRACS Professor, Department of Surgery, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Australia

David L Morris, MD, PhD, FRACS is a member of the following medical societies: British Society of Gastroenterology

Disclosure: RFA Medical None Director; MRC Biotec None Director

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Dennis F Zagrodnik II, MD, FACS Consulting Staff, Premier Surgical of Wisconsin, SC

Dennis F Zagrodnik II, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and Wisconsin Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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