ROLE OF ASPHOTA (HEMIDESMUS INDICUS R.BR.) KSHARASUTRA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOW-ANAL FISTULA

In this modern era, due to a sedentary lifestyle and improper dietary habit digestive disorder shows greater inci- dence. Among them, fistula-in-ano is troubleshooting one, which is a communicating tract between two epithelial surfaces lined by granulation tissues. Due to the higher recurrence rate and postoperative complication fistula-in- ano is a headache in the present era. In Ayurvedic classics, Ksharasutra prayoga is mentioned for the treatment of Nadi Vrana, which can be adopted in the management of anal fistula. The objective of the present study was to be evaluated the efficacy of Asphota Kshara sutra in the management of low anal fistula. The clinical trial was con- ducted in OPD and IPD of Shalyatantra department at Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College. The intervention was ligation of the fistulous tract with Asphota Ksharasutra. 25 subjects were selected satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The clinical assessment was done before treatment, after treatment and follow up on the 30th day after cutting through of the tract. The assessment was done based on parameters prepared for anal fistula by Paul O Madson and Peter. Pain, burning sensation, inflammation, itching, discharge and unit cutting time was statistically analysed in different periods. Outcome variables were analysed statistically by using the Friedman test and Wilcox- son signed-rank rest, and a conclusion was drawn. Pain, burning sensation, inflammation, discharge, itching was effectively managed using Asphota Ksharasutra. The unit cutting time of Aspota ksharasutra was found to be more than standard Ksharasutra. The result showed that Aspota Ksharasutra is effective in the management of low anal fistula. Keywords: Fistula-in-ano; Asphota ksharasutra.

Modified Lift Versus Cutting Seton for Transphincteric Fistula -Experience at Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Fistula in ano is a common disease which has high recurrence rate and high fecal incontinence rate after surgery. We compared modified LIFT (Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) through lateral approach ) with cutting seton for transphincteric fistula. Aim: This study is aimed at which procedure is better with respect to postoperative complications Study design: It was a prospective comparative study. Methods: This was a prospective comparative study from 01-01-2019 to 30-06-2021 which was conducted on 50 patients who presented with transsphincteric fistula in ano (FIA) in surgical ward of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Patients were divided into two groups .Patients of Group A underwent modified lift procedure and patients of group B underwent cutting seton procedure. Data was collected on a proforma which included patients’ name ,age ,sex, age group, comorbid disease like diabetes mellitus ,chronic liver disease, cardiovascular disease and chronic renal failure, fistula tract involving less than 50% or more than 50% external sphincter ,procedure done, healing time of wound, complications like recurrence and incontinence. Patients were followed for 6 months for healing rate ,recurrence and incontinence. Data was analysed on spss 22 version Results: In Group A, complete healing (fistula closure without recurrence) was achieved in 20 patients (80%) out of 25. There was no case of anal incontinence after the procedure. 5 (20%) patients experienced recurrence in 6 months . In Group B, complete healing (fistula closure without recurrence) was achieved in 21 patients (84%), in 6 months follow up . 4(16%) patients were diagnosed as a case of anal incontinence. There were 4 (16%) patients with recurrence. Conclusion: Modified LIFT is better in terms of incontinence where as cutting seton is better in terms of recurrence.it is suggested that for high lying fistula modified LIFT is better procedure and for low lying fistula involving less than 50% sphincter cutting seton is better procedure.. Keywords: Modified LIFT (ligation of ineter sphincteric fistula tract) ,Cutting seton , transphincteric fistula.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis and grading of perianal fistulas

Background: Fistula-in-ano can be defined as a hollow tract or cavity which is lined by granulation tissue. In case of fistula-in-ano, one end of this fistula opens in the anal canal whereas the other end is located in perianal area. Fistula-in-ano can considerably affect quality of life of an individual because of perianal discharge of blood and pus. Imaging of these fistulas is an important part of management and MR imaging is important in assessing relationship between the fistulous tract and sphincter muscles. Moreover, MR imaging can reliably demonstrate transmural inflammation, secondary tracts/ramifications, and abscesses which cannot be diagnosed on the basis of conventional fistulography. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate role of MRI in diagnosis and grading of perianal fistulae. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study, in which 60 patients with fistula-in-ano were included on the basis of a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. MR imaging of patients was done by 1.5 T MRI machine. Before MR imaging normal saline was injected in the fistulous tract from secondary/external opening, that is, opening around perianal area. Three plane images were obtained in all the cases. T1W, T2W, and STIR image sequences were obtained parallel to pelvic diaphragm. Coronal cuts were imaged parallel to anal canal. FAT suppressed T1W and T2W images in all cases. Type and grade of fistula were determined in all the cases. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Out of total 60 patients, there were 46 (76.66%) males and 14 (23.33%) were females with a M:F ratio of 1:0.30. The mean age of male and female patients was found to be 41.93±8.96 years and 44.04±7.46 years, respectively. The most common type of fistula was found to be trans-sphincteric fistula which was seen in 31 (51.6%) cases followed by intersphencteric fistula 22 (36.6%). Extrasphincteric and suprasphincteric fistulae were relatively uncommon and were seen in 4 (6.66%) and 3 (5%) cases, respectively. MRI was accurate in diagnosis of the tract with position of internal opening and any abscess cavity or secondary tract in 23 patients. Therefore, the diagnostic accuracy of MRI was found to be 95.4%. Conclusion: MRI is an excellent tool in assessment of perianal fistula. It not only helps in precisely locating fistulous tract but also can demonstrate relationship between the fistulous tract and sphincter muscles. Moreover, it can very well demonstrate transmural inflammation, secondary tracts/ramifications, and abscesses which cannot be assessed by conventional fistulograms.

Overview of Kshar-sutra in treatment of Ano-rectal diseases- review of cases treated at ACTH in 2011-2012: Retrospective study

Background Anorectal disorders including Fissure in Ano, Fistula in Ano and hemorrhoids are among the most common digestive complications. To our knowledge there is no any retrospective study of previous medical record data of Ayurveda Campus and Teaching Hospital (ACTH), Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal available on the prevalence of major anorectal problems. Therefore, this retrospective was carried out to analyze the medical record of Shalya department OPD in fiscal year 2011-12 A.D. to estimate the prevalence of anorectal problems among the patients of anorectal complaints. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted from January 2020 to December 2020 A.D. All the patients visiting the Department with anorectal complaints were screened. Name, sex, age, address and diagnosis was entered into Microsoft excel 2016 from registers of medical record; and analyzed in SPSS Version 2021 after coding the variables in excel. The findings were presented with percentage and frequency in pie and bar diagram. Results: Overall, anorectal cases (n=1067) were enrolled and analyzed in the study. The findings of major anorectal diseases like Fissure in Ano, Fistula in Ano and Hemorrhoids were commonly found in age group of 21-30 year; and followed by 31-40 year and 41-50 year. Fistula in Ano was also significantly found in the old age group of 61-70 year. Furthermore, the prevalence of Fissure in Ano, Fistula in Ano, Internal and External Hemorrhoids were 20%, 32%, 31.2% and 12% among ano-rectal problems in this hospital during this fiscal year respectively. Conclusion: Anorectal diseases are one of the common diseases observed in adolescent and adult patients which is more common in male than female. The prevalence of hemorrhoids is higher among Fissure in Ano and Fistula in Ano. Ksharasutra is the most effective procedure for treatment of these anorectal diseases.

Outcome of treatment of high fistula in ANO, with fistulectomy plus seton placement.

Objective: To determine post procedure recurrence and incontinence rate for high fistula-in-ano cases, who underwent procedure of fistulectomy and Seton placement. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Department of General Surgery, Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. Period: January to December, 2018. Material & Methods: This study was conducted over 50 patients with diagnosis of high fistula-in-ano, treated with combined procedure of fistulectomy and Seton placement. Patients follow up was done for one year for recurrence and incontinence. Results: Out of 50 patients, 28(56%) were male and 22(44%) were female. Overall male to female ratio was 1.27:1. Average age of patient was 36.88 years+6.63 SD. Flatus Incontinence was observed in single case (2%), no patient reported stool Incontinence. Recurrence of disease was found in 2 patients (4%). All patients were followed for one year. Conclusion: This technique for treating high Fistula-in-ano showed overall low recurrence and incontinence rates during follow up, thus reducing morbidity and costs associated with recurrent surgery for Fistula-in-ano.

Polypropylene suture as a seton in recurrent fistula-in-ano in lower socioeconomic class-a good option

Background: Recurrent anal fistulas after previous fistula surgery are a unique problem that typically necessitates more anal surgical experience to address the cause of recurrence. The present study was planned with the objective to determine the outcomes of the polypropylene suture as a seton placement for the treatment of recurrent anal fistula.Methods: Patients between the ages of 20-80 years with recurrent fistula-in-ano with single external opening and with history of previous surgery. Patients with preoperative incontinence, patients with difficult follow-up and who were not ready to participate in the study, patients with fistulas caused by inflammatory bowel disease, malignancy, tuberculosis, or trauma, patients with a horseshoe or multiple fistulas, patients with recurrent fistula-in-ano with multiple external opening, or recurrent fistula-in-ano with diseases like Crohn’s disease, tuberculosis, actinomycosis, malignancy, or high level fistula-in-ano without internal opening, and patients with synchronous anorectal problems such as haemorrhoids were excluded.Results: Post-operative pain was observed in all patients while discharge, bleeding and inflammation were observed in 27, 10 and 8 patients, respectively on day 0. Majority of post-operative symptoms were resolves in almost all patients except, pain and discharge were observed in 2 and 1 patients, respectively on day 7. At 6 months follow-up, incontinence of flatus was found out in 2 patients while no patient had incontinence of faeces.Conclusions: Polypropylene suture as a seton in recurrent fistula-in-ano, in previously operated patient is safe and most acceptable treatment. Ksharsutra is not easily available but polypropylene suture is easily available.

Understanding New Ideas in Cryptoglandular Fistula-in-Ano

Outcomes of surgical treatment for anorectal abscesses and chronic fistulas varies widely, as there is lack of unified classification and systematic surgical approach to address a wide range of disease pattern. Acute anorectal abscess and chronic fistula-in-ano should be considered the same disease at both end of a spectrum. This article describes in detail the pathogenesis and relevant anorectal anatomy to aid understanding of a new concept of classifying anorectal abscess and fistula based on natural patterns. A better understanding of patterns allows more accurate surgical treatment. Recent evidence shows that definitive surgical treatment for anal fistula during acute abscess stage is safe and feasible. An optimum surgical treatment should focus on eradication of intersphincteric infection, removal of secondary branches or abscesses, allow healing by secondary intention and preserve continence as best as possible. Common challenges faced by clinicians include confusion in classification, inaccurate delineation of fistula, challenging acute abscesses, unable to locate internal opening and facing complex features such as high fistula or multiple branches. Suggested solutions are discussed and a structured treatment strategy according to types and patterns is proposed. Surgical treatment should follow the principles above and combination of surgical techniques is beneficial compared to individual modality.