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Fistulectomy and endorectal advancement flap repair for cryptoglandular anal fistula: recurrence and functional outcome over 10 years of follow-up

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine long-term recurrence and anal continence of patients with anal fistula treated by fistulectomy and endorectal advancement flap repair.

Method

Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of 115 patients (77.4% males, mean age 48.9 years) requiring 130 procedures, with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Recurrence included reappearance of fistula after wound healing or presence of an abscess or chronic suppuration in the operated area at follow-up. Fecal incontinence was evaluated by the Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF-FI) fecal incontinence scoring system.

Results

The mean and SD duration of the follow-up period was 155.5 (21.7) months. Recurrence developed in 31 (23.8%) cases, 28 (90.3%) of which within the first year, with a mean time to recurrence of 4.9 (2.9) months. The success rate was 76.2%. Anal continence was normal in 80% of patients before surgery, 63.8% at 1-year follow-up, and 71.5% at the end of follow-up (p < 0.001). Overall, continence worsened in 16.9% of cases. The mean (95% CI) CCF-FI score was 0.78 (0.35–1.21) preoperatively, 1.04 (0.64–1.43) at 1 year after surgery, 0.90 (0.52–1.29) at 5 years, and 1.16 (0.66–1.67) at the end of the study (p < 0.05). Neither recurrence nor continence was significantly associated with previous anal or fistula surgical procedures or complexity of the fistula.

Conclusion

In this study, fistulectomy and endorectal advancement flap repair was associated with a long-term high rate of success. Most recurrences occurred within the first year and continence showed a mild deterioration over time.

Clinical trial registration: Not applicable.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr Marta Pulido for editing the manuscript and editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, C/ Irunlarrea 3, Secretaría de Cirugía, Pabellón H3, E-31008, Pamplona, Spain

    Carlos Chaveli Diaz, Irene Esquiroz Lizaur, José Marzo Virto, Fabiola Oteiza Martínez, Gregorio Gonzalez Álvarez, Mario de Miguel Velasco & Miguel Ángel Ciga Lozano

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  1. Carlos Chaveli Diaz
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  2. Irene Esquiroz Lizaur
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Correspondence to Carlos Chaveli Diaz.

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The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Spain.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Chaveli Diaz, C., Esquiroz Lizaur, I., Marzo Virto, J. et al. Fistulectomy and endorectal advancement flap repair for cryptoglandular anal fistula: recurrence and functional outcome over 10 years of follow-up. Int J Colorectal Dis 36, 841–846 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-021-03867-0

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