Fistulotomy with Primary Sphincter Repair in High Anal Fistula

Background Anal fistula is abnormal communication between the anal canal and the perianal skin or perineum or buttocks. Anal fistula is almost always a consequence of an anorectal abscess that was drained. While the abscess represents the acute phase of the disease, fistula represents the chronic phase as the fistulous pathway may persist in about 1/3 of cases. Aim of the Work In this study we will perform fistulotomy with primary sphincter repair in high cryptoglandular fistula with assessment of recurrence rate, incontinence rate and patient satisfaction according to pain score, wound healing, discharge and return to daily activity parameters. Methods This was prospective cohort study on 30 patients of high peri-anal fistulae and fistulotomy and reconstruction (primary suture repair) of anal sphincter was done., the patients were followed up 6 months postoperatively regarding their continence using Wexner score, recurrence, discharge and their return to work by scheduled outpatient clinical examination. Results Among 30 patients only three patients complaining usual incontinence mostly as post defecation soiling. Three patients reported anal fistula recurrence: One occurred at the 5th month, while the other two occurred at the 6th month after surgery. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients as most of them complaining only minimal pain and returned to work after two weeks without need of other stage like other procedures. Conclusion Fistulotomy with primary sphincter repair is an effective therapeutic option for patients with high anal fistula. Our study demonstrated that immediate reconstruction of the sphincters after fistulotomy achieved high success rates and low risk of postoperative fecal incontinence, compared to reported rates after simple fistulotomy.

Intravesical repair of vesicovaginal fistula guided by cystoscopy

Background: Vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) are an unusual problem that may significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. The main causes for this condition are labour complications (mostly in developing countries) and pelvic surgeries (in industrialised countries). Treatment may be conservative or surgical. Regarding surgical treatment, there is still debate about the best approach and surgical technique. Objective: To demonstrate a correction of a VVF guided by cystoscopy using intravesical laparoscopic instruments. Methods: Case report and surgical video of a recurrent VVF treated with a hybrid technique involving direct transvesical insertion of 3 mm laparoscopic trocars and instruments guided by cystoscopy. As far as we know, although there are some reported techniques that use a combination of transvesical laparoscopic instruments and cystoscopy, this is the least invasive and most ergonomic technique described. Results: Two years after surgery, the patient remains asymptomatic and with no fistula recurrence. Conclusion: The transvesical approach guided by cystoscopy seems to be an effective, safe and ergonomic minimally invasive procedure for VVF repair.

DOP32 Long-term outcomes of enterocutaneous fistula complicating Crohn’s Disease: The ECUFIT study from GETECCU

Background Crohn’s disease (CD) can develop fistulizing complications at any time during the disease course. Enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF) are disabling lesions with a significant impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and natural history of ECF complicating CD, and to analyze its medical and/or surgical management. Methods A retrospective analysis of all adult patients with fistulizing CD with at least one episode of ECF from the ENEIDA registry (over 68,000 patients) was performed. ECF were defined as a communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin producing leakage of luminal contents. Additional data describing the ECF and its medical or surgical management were gathered. The main endpoint was any ECF-related surgical intervention. Fistula closure was defined as the absence of drainage, with no new abscess or surgery for at least 6 months. A comparison of the characteristics and outcomes after the availability of biologic agents (Jan/2000) was also performed. The baseline characteristics were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and were compared by non-parametric tests. Factors associated with surgery were further evaluated in a binary multivariable regression and survival analysis. Results A total of 301 ECF in 286 patients from 46 hospitals diagnosed between Jan/1970-Sept/2020 were included (median age 34 years (IQR, 27–46); 59% male; 67% L3). ECF had a median of 1 external opening (range 1–10), 59% with concomitant internal fistulas, and usually involved the ileum (67%) or colon (23%). After 146 months (IQR, 69–233) of follow-up, 37% received thiopurines, 40% anti-TNF, 6% ustekinumab and 2% vedolizumab. Surgery was performed in 208 patients (69%) after a median of 4 months (IQR, 1.4–12). Fistula closure was achieved in 253 patients (84%) after 30 months (IQR, 4–84), mostly after surgery (54%) and in one third after medical therapy. Fistula recurrence was uncommon (11%) after closure. Patient and fistula characteristics were significantly different after the availability of biologics. In fact, anti-TNF biologics and thiopurines reduced surgery risk (HR 0.5; 0.38–0.67; HR 0.64; 0.47–0.86, respectively). The surgery rate in the biologic era tends to be lower than before (OR 0.63;0.33–1.09) while timing is similar. Closure rates are also comparable, but it was obtained more frequently after medical therapy once biologicals were available (OR 2.21; 1.13–4.29). Conclusion ECF complicating CD entail a high burden of medical and surgical resources. Closure rates are high, usually after surgery, and fistula recurrence is uncommon. A number of patients can benefit from medical therapy and achieve fistula closure.

The Palatal Fistula Closure Using Buccal Fat Graft After Palatoplasty for Cleft Palate: Two Case Reports

Fistula recurrence is high after secondary follow-up operation to close the fistula after primary palatal surgery. Therefore, preventing fistula recurrence is important. Here, we describe the technique of closing palatal fistula after palatal surgery with a buccal fat graft in 2 cases. We elevate the mucosal flap around the palatal fistula, suture the nasal mucosa, transplant the buccal fat between the nasal and oral mucosa for the palatal fistula after palatal surgery, and suture the oral mucosa. Palatal fistula did not recur after surgery. This method is simple and useful for suturable fistula and does not require a local flap.

Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: The Sinus and Non-Sinus Concept

Introduction: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) account for 10–15% of all intracranial arteriovenous lesions. Different classification strategies have been proposed in the course of the years. None of them seems to guide the treatment strategy. Objective: We expose the experience of the vascular group at Niguarda Hospital and we propose a very practical classification method based on the location of the shunt. We divide dAVF in sinus and non-sinus in order to simplify our daily practice, as this classification method is simply based on the involvement of the sinuses. Material and Methods: 477 intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas have been treated. 376 underwent endovascular treatment and 101 underwent surgical treatment. Cavernous sinus DAVFs and Galen ampulla malformations have been excluded from this series as they represent a different pathology per se. 376 dAVFs treated by endovascular approach: 180 were sinus and 179 were non-sinus. 101 dAVFs treated with surgical approach: 15 were sinus and 86 were non-sinus. Discussion: Of the 477 intracranial dAVF the recorded mortality and severe disability was 3% and morbidity less than 4%. All patients underwent a postoperative DSA with nearly 100% of complete occlusion of the fistula. At a mean follow-up of 5 years in one case there was a non-sinus fistula recurrence, due to the presence of a partial clipping of “piè” of the vein. Conclusions: The sinus and non-sinus concept has guided our institution for years and has led to good clinical results. This paper intends to share this practical classification with the neurosurgical community.

Efficacy of Staged Oronasal Fistula Reconstruction and Improved Bone Graft Survival in Cleft Patients Undergoing Secondary Reconstruction

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the senior author’s technique of staged reconstruction in patients with recalcitrant oronasal fistulas. Design: A retrospective review of the Pediatric Plastic Surgery Cleft & Craniofacial Surgery Database of cases from September 2013 to December 2018 was conducted. Patients: A total of 31 patients who had previously undergone >1 surgical attempt to repair a fistula or patients who have failed >1 attempt at bone graft were included in this study. All patients were referrals from outside facilities. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcomes examined included fistula recurrence, infection rates, ability to proceed with second stage bone grafting after first stage fistula takedown and reconstruction, and bone graft loss. Results: Charts of 1053 patients were reviewed and 31 (2.94%) cases met inclusion criteria for this study. Nineteen (61.3%) of these patients proceeded with the second stage of reconstruction and 100% did not experience any graft loss. Seven patients who completed the first stage are undergoing orthodontic optimization prior to bone grafting. The remaining 5 are adult patients not interested in pursuing bone grafting. All 31 patients with recurrent and recalcitrant fistulas had successful fistula reconstruction with our approach, despite multiple previous failed reconstructions. Conclusions: The 2-staged reconstructive approach described herein effectively resulted in resolution of prior recurrent recalcitrant fistulas and resulted in eventual bone grafting. By employing this technique, we report successful fistula repair and bone grafting in patients who had previously undergone multiple surgical reconstructions.

SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR A PATIENT WITH TWO RECTOVAGINAL FISTULAS (case report)

The article describes clinical case of a patient with two rectovaginal fistulas of high and low level. The first stage included diverting loop sigmostomia and latex seton for low fistula. Three months later, on the second stage, fistulectomy with invagination of the fistula to rectal lumen with compression of invaginated part by titanium nickelide clamp was done. The fistulectomy with sphincteroplasty was done for the lower fistula. No postoperative complications developed; the complete recovery was detected. Seven months later, on the third stage, the stoma closure was done. No complications and fistula recurrence were obtained in 2 months of follow-up.