LIGATION OF INTERSPHINCTERIC FISTULA TRACT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR PERIANAL FISTULA AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

This study was aimed to evaluate clinical outcome of patients with perianal fistula operated with the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) technique. The study was conducted at Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro from July 2018 and August 2019. A total of 22 patients diagnosed with perianal fistula operated with the Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) technique were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or endosonography (ES) were performed to make a confirmed diagnosis of fistula. They were classified according to Parks classification. All patients were subjected to intersphincteric fistulous tract ligation using the technique defined by Rojanasakul modified. There were 16 males and 6 females. Mean age was 42 years (range 23-68 years of age). Out of 22 patients, 17 patients had a history of perianal abscess drainage prior to surgery and an average preoperative symptom presentation was 2.2 years (range 0-10 years). Therapeutic success with first surgery was achieved in 77% and with a second surgery in 90%. None of this patients modified their preoperative Wexner. It was concluded that LIFT technique appears to be a convenient, reproducible, and effective surgical alternative. This provides an appropriate closing rate and without continence modification, Therefore indicated for complex cryptoglandular fistulas.

Sphincter Preserving Techniques in Anal Fistula Treatment

Complex anal fistulas present a challenge to even a seasoned colorectal surgeon due to high rate of recurrence and a real possibility of fecal incontinence if treated with conventional methods (e.g., fistulotomy, fistulectomy, seton placement). Although the illness is benign in nature, it can significantly decrease patient’s quality of life because of symptoms like pain and soiling. Given those facts, minimally invasive or sphincter preserving methods of treatment were introduced. Some of these include: Video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT), ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT), Fistula-tract laser closure (FILAC), rectal advancement flap (RAF), treatment with platelet cells and combinations of techniques. This chapter would be an overview of these novel techniques with reference to latest clinical trials and meta-analyses.

The Use of Seton as a Bridge to Definitive Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract Procedure for Fistula-in-ano: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background There is still controversy over the usefulness of seton placement prior to the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) surgery in the management of anal fistula. Objective To evaluate the impact of preoperative seton placement on the outcomes of LIFT surgery for the management of fistula-in-ano. Design systematic review and meta-analysis. Data Sources A search was performed on the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases. Study Selection Original studies without language restriction reporting the primary healing rates with and without seton placement as a bridge to definitive LIFT surgery were included. Intervention The intervention assessed was the LIFT with and without prior seton placement. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome was defined as the primary healing rate with and without the use of seton as a bridge to definitive LIFT surgery. Results Ten studies met the criteria for systematic review, all retrospective, with a pooled study population of 772 patients. There were no significant differences in the percentages of recurrence between patients with and without seton placement (odds ratio [OR] 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73–1.43: p = 0.35). The I2 value was 9%, which shows the homogeneity of the results among the analyzed studies. The 10 included studies demonstrated a weighted average overall recurrence of 38% (interquartile range [IQR] 27–42.7%), recurrence with the use of seton was 40% (IQR 26.6–51.2%), and without its use, the recurrence rate was 51.3% (IQR 31.3–51.3%) Limitations The levels of evidence found in the available literature were relatively fair, as indicated after qualitative evaluation using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and the Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) evidence levels. Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that the placement of seton as a bridge treatment prior to LIFT surgery does not significantly improve long-term anal fistula healing outcomes. Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract surgery can be performed safely and effectively with no previous seton placement.International prospective register of systematic reviews—PROSPERO registration number: CDR42020149173.

COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN LIFT PROCEDURE VERSUS SETON PLACEMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FISTULA IN ANO

INTRODUCTION: A stula-in-ano, is a chronic abnormal communication, usually lined by granulation tissue, which runs outwards from the anorectal lumen. The standards of anal stula surgery are to obliterate the stula, prevent recurrence and maintain sphincter work. Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) is the most promising surgical technique based on secure closure of the internal opening and removal of the infected crypto glandular tissue through intersphincteric approach. AIMS: To compare the effectiveness of LIFT over SETON procedure based on Postoperative pain on day 1 and2, Short term recurrence, Healing, Procedural visits PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, single centered, interventional study in 60 patients with stula-in-ano admitted to general surgical wards in Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore. From November 2018 to November 2020. Patients were divided into two groups, group A including patients undergoing LIFT procedure and group B, including patients undergoing SETON placement of Fistula-in- ano. RESULTS: Maximum patients were in 41-60 years in the LIFT Group 18(60%), 51-60 years in the SETON group 12(40%). Maximum patients were male 21 in each group (70%), and female were 9 in each group (30%). In the present study, Visual Analog Scale (0,1,2,3) in LIFT group on POD 1, were 2, 20, 6, 2 and in SETON group on POD 1 were 0, 9, 16, 5 respectively. Similarly, visual analogue scale (0,1,2,3) in LIFT group on POD 2, were 19.8.3.0 and in SETON group on POD 2 were 5, 20, 5, 0respectively. Patients who underwent LIFT procedure had a satisfactory postoperative period and the wound healed in all the cases. CONCLUSION: we conclude that LIFT gives good outcomes in terms of Postoperative pain on day 1 and 2, wound healing rate, single time procedure and recurrence during our short follow-up period of 6 months.

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF LIGATION OF INTERSPHINCTERIC FISTULA TRACT (LIFT) IN ANAL FISTULAS

The study was conducted on 164 patients who underwent LIFTin the Fourth unit of Department of General Surgery, Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital from Jan 2019 to Dec 2019. The aim of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of ligation of intersphincteric stula tract (lift) in anal stulas”. The study was conducted by performing LIFTamong 164 patients after satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In this study, Fistula in ano was more common among the male population with mean age group being the third and the fourth decade. Postoperatively, there was minimal signicant development in wound infection. As a consequence, the stay in the hospital was reduced and so the overall expenditure for patients is decreased. To summarize, the ligation of the intersphincteric stula tract technique for stula in ano appears to be effective, safe and easy to perform with encouraging early outcomes.

Transanal Opening of Intersphincteric Space for Fistula-in-Ano

Background The role of the intersphincteric space in the pathogenesis of fistula-in-ano is being increasingly recognized. Submucosal and intersphincteric rectal abscesses have been surgically managed by laying open and draining the intersphincteric space as well as by the modified ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure. In 2017, the transanal opening of intersphincteric space (TROPIS) technique was reported for the treatment of high, complex anal fistulae. Aim We aim to investigate the advantages of performing the TROPIS procedure in patients with fistula-in-ano. Methods This was a prospective cohort study investigating the outcomes in patients who had undergone a procedure using the TROPIS technique for the treatment of fistula-in-ano. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans and electronic colonoscopies were performed on all patients. A clinical database evaluating the following variables was constructed: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), previous fistula surgery, type of fistula, postoperative complications, duration of follow-up, success rate, and incontinence scores pre- and postoperatively. Results The TROPIS procedure was performed on 41 patients with fistula-in-ano with a follow-up time of 6-23 months. The characteristics of the patients were as follows: 36 males, 6 females, mean age 38.6±13.2 years, and mean BMI 23.5±3.9 kg·m−2. All patients (41) had transsphincteric fistulae, and 90.2% (37) had high fistula. Of the 41 patients, 22% (9) had recurrent fistulae, 29.27% (12) had horseshoe fistulae, 7.3% (3) had supralevator fistulae, and 14.6% (6) had an associated abscess. The fistula healed completely in 85.3% (35) of patients and failed to heal in 14.7% (6) of patients, and the healing of high fistula was 86.5% (32). Of those patients who had not healed completely, 2 were found to have contracted iatrogenic infections due to foreign residues and underwent surgery with the passing of a loose seton. The additional 4 patients who had not healed underwent a fistulotomy and healed completely thereafter. There were no significant changes in incontinence scores. The incontinence scores were .15 ± .36 preoperatively and .22 ± .47 3 months postoperatively (t = −1.438, P = .16). Conclusions The TROPIS technique is a novel sphincter-preserving procedure, which can be effectively used in treating fistula-in-ano.

A comparative study of ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) and conventional fistulotomy in treatment of fistula-in-ano

Background: A hospital randomized control study was conducted at a tertiary care Hospital, to compare outcomes between the Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) technique and conventional fistulotomy for the treatment of low trans-sphincteric fistula in ano, including 50 patients of low trans-sphincteric fistula in ano randomly divided into two groups. LIFT technique was used in first group while Conventional Fistulotomy was performed in another. Mean duration of operation was significantly less and mean hospital stay, post-operative pain and analgesics need was significantly less in cases operated with LIFT. Mean time for complete healing was significantly less in cases operated with LIFT technique and the difference in complication rate was statistically nonsignificant. Recurrence was reported in 3 (12%) and 1 (4%) cases operated by LIFT and fistulotomy respectively. Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) procedure is effective and preferred sphincter saving technique for fistula-in-ano. Despite slightly more recurrence, LIFT procedure has certain advantages over standard fistulotomy like shorter operative time, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and faster wound healing and early resumption of normal duties.