ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and safety of ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract in the treatment of high simple anal fistula.MethodsA prospective collection of 72 patients diagnosed with high simple anal fistula, who admitted to the department of the author’s hospital between March 2015 and December 2017 was performed, and then the patients were divided into two groups according to the random number table method combined with the patients’ wishes: the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract group (experimental group, 32 cases) and the low incision and high hanging group (control group, 40 cases). Comparison of indexes on the operative effect and physiological function of the sphincter in six months after operation was performed.ResultsCompared with the control group, the patients in the experimental group had short postoperative pain duration, short postoperative wound healing time, high cure rate, low recurrence rate, low initial sensory threshold, high anal resting pressure, and long anal high pressure band length, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the operation time, anal maximal contractive pressure, and rectal resting pressure (P>0.05). The results suggested that the physiological function of anus in the experimental group recovered well.ConclusionThe ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract is a safe and reliable method in the treatment of high simple anal fistula, which can be widely used in the clinic.
ObjectiveTo investigate long-term efficacy of infliximab (IFX) combined with seton placement in treatment of perianal fistulizing Crohn disease (CD) and to analyze factors affecting its clinical healing and recurrence.MethodsThe patients with perianal fistulizing CD underwent the IFX combined with seton placement therapy from July 2010 to January 2017 were collected from the HIS database of the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The healing and recurrence of perianal fistulizing CD were counted and their influencing factors were analyzed.ResultsA total of 103 patients with perianal fistulizing CD were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 36 months, 64 patients (62.1%) had a complete fistula healing, 34 patients (33.0%) relapsed. The cumulative recurrence rates of fistula in the 1, 3, and 5 years was 21.8%, 32.6%, and 37.4%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that the Montreal classification B1 ［HR=3.987, 95% CI (1.640, 9.694), P=0.023］ and without abscess ［HR=2.724, 95% CI (1.101, 6.740), P=0.030］ were positively associated with the long-term healing of fistula, and the IFX maintenance treatment >3 times ［HR=5.497, 95% CI (1.197, 25.251), P=0.028］ was a risk factor for the recurrence of the fistula.ConclusionsLong-term healing rate of fistula by IFX combined with seton placement therapy is higher. Montreal classification B1, without abscess, and IFX maintenance treatment less than 3 times are expected to have a better long-term efficacy.
ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of anal fistula clip (AFC) in the treatment of anal fistula, and to evaluate its safety. MethodsA historical cohort study method was conducted. Eighty-three patients with glandular transsphincteric anal fistula in the Xuzhou Central Hospital from September 2018 to May 2021 were collected, of which 42 patients underwent the AFC treatment (AFC group), 41 patients underwent the endorectal advancement flap (ERAF) treatment (ERAF group). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of anus pain on postoperative day 1, 3, and 7, wound healing time, Wexner incontinence score of anal function on postoperative month 6, and clinical efficacy (healing and failure) were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in both groups. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the AFC group were shorter or less than those in the ERAF group (P<0.05). No complications such as internal opening infection and bleeding occurred in the two groups. There were no statistical differences in the VAS score of postoperative anus pain at all time point between the two groups (P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 22 months. There was no statistical difference in the wound healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). The Wexner score of anal function in the AFC group was lower than that in the ERAF group (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference between after operation and before operation (Z=–1.751, P=0.089) in the AFC group, while that in the ERAF group after operation was higher than before operation (Z=–1.859, P=0.014). The healing rate had no statistical difference between the AFC group and ERAF group (85.7% versus 77.5%, χ2=0.925, P=0.336). Conclusion From the results of this study, the AFC is safe and effective in treatment of anal fistula, with the advantages of relatively simple operation, less bleeding during operation, lighter postoperative pain, and good protection of anal function.
ObjectiveTo understand progress of stem cell transplantation in treatment of complex anal fistula.MethodThe relevant literatures were searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, and other databases and the clinical efficacy, advantages and problems of the therapy were analyzed and summarized.ResultsThe stem cells currently used in the field of complex anal fistula were mainly the adipose tissue-derived stem cells, which had the biological characteristics of regenerative differentiation, immune regulation, and repair of intestinal mucosal barrier, which could be used as the seed cells for the treatment of complex anal fistula, its effectiveness was worthy of recognition. But its long-term clinical efficacy remained to be seen due to its clinical treatment options were different and lack of uniform standards. The safety of treatment for complex anal fistula was payed a attention because the stem cells had the oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene inactivation characteristics.ConclusionsStem cell transplantation, as an emerging therapy, has broad prospects for patients with complex anal fistula that are difficult to solve by surgery, but its long-term efficacy is still unsatisfactory. Due to current sample size, short observation time, and lack of randomized control, current clinical data is not convincing, and high cost also limits its development of technology.
ObjectiveTo summarize the occurrence of anal fistula in Crohn disease (CDAF) accompanying with preoperative rectal stenosis and analyze its influencing factors. Meanwhile to explore the effect of improved anal sphincter retention virtual-hanging (hereafter this text will be abbreviated as virtual-hanging) for treatment of CDAF. MethodsThe CDAF patients admitted to the Third People’s Hospital of Bengbu from January 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected, who were treated with virtual-hanging. Meanwhile the multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for accompanying with preoperative rectal stenosis and which were used to establish a decision tree model by Chi squared automatic interaction detection method. ResultsA total of 234 patients with CDAF were collected, and the incidence of accompanying with preoperative rectal stenosis was 22.2% (52/234). The multivariate logistic regression analysis found that the patients with preoperative proctitis, Montreal subtype B2, fistula located above the musculi levator ani (MLA), single fistula accompanied by branches or multiple fistulas, lymphocyte count (Lym) ≥6.03×109/L, platelet count (PLT) ≥0.61×109/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ≥39.11 mm/h, C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥5.13 mg/L, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) ≥313.26 ng/L had higher probability of accompanying with preoperative rectal stenosis (P<0.05). For the patients with or without preoperative rectal stenosis, the CD activity index score and perianal CD activity index score, and anal resting pressure all showed decreasing trends after treatment with the virtual-hanging, and the anal maximal contraction pressure showed a increasing trend as compared to before treatment. The decision tree consisted 18 nodes and 9 terminal nodes. The gain map of the decision tree model gradually increased from 0% to 100%; The index chart maintained a high level starting from 198% and then rapidly decreased to 100%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the decision tree model was 0.852 [95%CI (0.821, 0.908)], with a sensitivity of 84.35% and a specificity of 82.33%. ConclusionsThe incidence of accompanying with preoperative rectal stenosis in patients with CDAF is relatively higher. The effect of virtual-hanging for treatment of CDAF is better. For patients with preoperative proctitis, Montreal subtype B2, fistula above the MLA, single fistula accompanied by branches or multiple fistulas, and higher Lym, PLT, ESR, CRP, and BNP, attention should be paid to their accompanying with preoperative rectal stenosis. The decision tree model based on these factors to distinguish whether accompanying with preoperative rectal stenosis is better.
Objective To explore the effect of local injection of high concentration of glucose when removing setons of perianal fistulizing in Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods Thirty cases of CD combined with anal fistula admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from August 2015 to July 2017 were collected prospectively, 12 cases were divided into experimental group and 18 cases were divided into control group. Cases of the experimental group received demolition of drainage seton+IFX+local injection of high concentration of glucose treatment, cases of the control group received the drainage setons removing+IFX only. Before treatment, and at 6, 14, 22, and 30 weeks after IFX treatment, the laboratory indicators of the 2 groups were detected, and BMI, Crohn’s diseaseactivity index (CDAI), perianal disease activity index (PDAI), and clinical efficacy were evaluated. Results Therewas no significant difference on the group effect and interaction of group and time (P>0.05), but time (P<0.05). Both in the experimental group and the control group, compared with before treatment group, the counts of WBC and platelet, levels of C reaction protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CDAI, and PDAI at 6 months after IFX therapy decreased and maintained at the latter period, but the level of hemoglobin (Hb) and BMI increased at 6 weeks after IFX therapy and maintained at the latter period. On the clinical effect, there was no significant difference at the time points of 14, 22, and 30 weeks of IFX therapy (P>0.05). Conclusion The treatment of local injection of high concentration of glucose when removing setons has not shown any positive effect to CD combined with anal fistula, this conclusion needs to be further studied.
ObjectiveTo investigate effect of preoperative three-dimensional anorectal endosonography (3D-AREUS) in anal fistula surgery.MethodsA total of 100 patients with anal fistula who were admitted to the Chaoyang Central Hospital from December 2017 to December 2018 were included prospectively, then were randomly divided into ultrasound group and control group with 50 cases in each group. The preoperative examination was performed by 3D-AREUS in the ultrasound group, and preoperative routine examination, finger examination or probe exploration were performed in the control group. The postoperative recurrence and anal functions were compared between the two groups.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in the gender, age, body mass index, anal surgery history, preoperative anal function, etc. between the two groups (P>0.05). The detection rate of branch fistulas in the ultrasound group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.025). For the patients with complex anal fistula, compared with the control group, the location accuracy rate of internal opening was higher (P=0.014), the change value of preoperative and postoperative fecal incontinence score was lower (P=0.039), anorectal pressure status (resting pressure of anal canal, anal systolic pressure, and length of anal high pressure zone) were lower (P<0.05) in the ultrasound group; For the patients with simple anal fistula, which had no significant differences between the ultrasound group and control group (P>0.05). There were 4 cases of recurrence in each group.ConclusionsFor complex anal fistula, preoperative 3D-AREUS could clarify position of internal opening, presence of branching fistula, and the relationship between fistula and sphincter, so as to make accurate surgical plans, reduce secondary injuries, and retain postoperative anal function of patients.
Objective To summarize the research progression of video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT). Methods The related literatures in recent years were reviewed, and then the operation principle, operation process, advantages and disadvantages, matters needing attention, and clinical application of VAAFT were summarized. Results VAAFT is the treatment of fistulas by endoscopy. It don’t require the incision or resection of the fistula. It has the advantages of less surgical trauma, faster postoperative recovery, and less impact on the anal sphincter. The disadvantage of this method is relatively strict indications, fistula bending or horseshoe fistula is not suitable for this method. In addition, the endoscope using during the operation is a rigid mirror tube, and the operation is not convenient enough, so technical improvement is needed in the future. We should pay attention to distinguish true fistula and false fistula in clinical practice; the wall of the fistula should be adequately burned and the necrotic tissue should be cleaned; the treatment of the internal opening of anal fistula must be exact; the time of the first defecation should be appropriately delayed, and the incidence of infection should be reduced after operation. At present, the clinical reports of VAAFT are increasing gradually in foreign countries, and these reports have achieved good therapeutic effect. It is considered that this method maybe a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical treatment for anal fistula. However, there is few clinical reports on VAAFT in China, and it is still in the preliminary stage of exploration. Conclusion VAAFT is a new technology in the treatment of anal fistula, and it has advantages of minimally invasive, sphincter preservation, and so on, which is worthy of clinical application.
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety for video-assisted anal fistula therapy in the treatment of complex anal fistula. Methods The databases of CKNI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase were retrieved from the time of database establishment to may 31 2022. The two researchers independently screened the literatures and evaluated the quality of the literatures that met the inclusion criteria according to the research purpose and quality evaluation criteria. Meta-analysis were performed with the Revman 5.4.1 software. Results A total of 11 articles and 977 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the video-assisted group were superior to the traditional incision and thread hanging operation group in improved the cure rate [RR=1.14, 95%CI (1.04, 1.24), P<0.05], accelerated wound healing [MD=–10.40, 95%CI (–13.64, –7.17), P<0.05], protected the anal function after surgery [MD=–1.32, 95%CI (–1.85, –0.79), P＜0.05], relieved postoperative 24-hour pain [MD=–1.23, 95%CI (–1.60, –0.86), P＜0.05], shorten the operative time and hospital stay [MD=–9.46, 95%CI (–17.16, –1.75), P<0.05; MD=–3.87, 95%CI (–5.90, –1.84), P<0.05], reduced intraoperative bleeding [MD=–14.24, 95%CI (–17.49, –10.99), P<0.05] and the incidence of postoperative complications [RR=0.39, 95%CI (0.27, 0.56), P<0.05], which difference were statistically significant. However, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate of 1-year after operation [OR=0.64, 95%CI (0.33, 1.23), P>0.05]. Conclusions Video-assisted anal fistula treatment is a safe and effective sphincter preserving operation for the treatment of complex anal fistula, which is superior to the traditional incision and thread hanging operation. However, due to the limitations and publication bias of the included literature, more prospective, large sample, multi center randomized controlled trial are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy.
Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of Crohn’s disease (CD) with perianal fistula by analyzing the clinical data of them. Methods A total of 139 cases of CD with perianal fistula who got treatment from January 2010 to January 2017 in The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were analyzed retrospectively. Results The proportion of males and females in 139 patients was about 3.3∶1.0, the age was (28±8) years, and 47.5% of patients had perianal fistula before CD diagnosis. The percents of patients with perianal surgery history and medication history were 64.7% and 74.1%, respectively. The ratio of L3 type (diseased position) was 49.6%. The ratios of inflammatory type (B1 type) and stenotic type (B2 type) of the disease were 51.8% and 41.0%, respectively. The complex perianal fistula accounted for 90.6%, and 31.7% of patients combined analrectal stricture. Symptoms of diarrhea were found in 46.0% of patients and perianal lesions alone in 29.5% of patients; 54.0% of patients combined with abnormal BMI; 64.7% of patients were in the active stage of Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) and 94.2 % of patients were in the active period of perianal disease activity index (PDAI). The patients with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) higher than normal were 53.2%. The results of logistic showed that, age and degree of CDAI were influencing factors for CD with stenosis of perianal fistula. Conclusions Characteristics of patients with CD combined with perianal fistula include: young, men predominant, high prevalence of ileocolic position involvement, as well as inflammation and stenosis disease behavior. Fistula symptoms often preced the intestinal symptoms and diarrhea is the most common intestinal performance. History of perianal abscess and fistula operation are common. The anorectal stricture are complicated usually. Intestinal inflammation is active. Some patients show abnormal laboratory indicators of inflammation. This suggests that patients with perianal fistula with these clinical features should be alert to the possibility of CD, so as toavoid the consequences of blind surgery. The higher CDAI score and the older the diagnosis age, the higher the risk ofrectal stenosis.