Early experience with the bioabsorbable anal fistula plug

D. A. Lawes, J. E. Efron, M. Abbas, J. Heppell, T. M. Young-Fadok

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Management of anal fistula represents a balance between curing the condition and maintaining anal continence. Recent reports of the results of the porcine anal fistula plug have demonstrated excellent fistula healing rates without reporting significant complications. Methods: The outcome of patients who underwent treatment for anal fistula with the Surgisis® anal plug was retrospectively reviewed. Results: Twenty patients were treated; three underwent concomitant anal advancement flap at the time of plug placement. Seventeen patients had a trans-sphincteric fistula, and three had an anoperineal fistula. Ten patients had previously undergone failed surgical therapy to cure their fistula, including anal advancement flap in four, muscle interposition flap in two, fistulotomy in two, and cutting seton placement in two. Mean follow-up was 7.4 months. Only 4 of 17 (24%) patients treated with the plug alone had closure of their fistula. Acute postoperative sepsis was seen in 5 of 17 (29%) patients treated with the plug alone. Four developed perianal abscesses that required incision and drainage, and one intersphincteric abscess was treated with antibiotics. Two of the patients who underwent concomitant anal advancement flaps and plug placement healed successfully. Conclusions: Contrary to other published series, the use of the Surgisisreg; anal plug was associated with a low rate of fistula healing and a high incidence of perianal sepsis. The addition of a transanal advancement flap to the procedure may improve success rates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1157-1159
Number of pages3
JournalWorld Journal of Surgery
Volume32
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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