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Quantifying the extent of fistulotomy. How much sphincter can we safely divide? A three-dimensional endosonographic study

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 22 June 2019

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose

To quantify the longitudinal division of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and external anal sphincter (EAS) after fistulotomy using three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) and correlate the results with postoperative faecal incontinence.

Methods

A prospective, consecutive study was performed from December 2008 to October 2010. All patients underwent 3D-EAUS before and 8 weeks after surgery. Thirty-six patients with simple perianal fistula were included. Patients with an intersphincteric or low transphincteric fistula (<66% sphincter involved) without risk factors for incontinence underwent fistulotomy. The outcome measures were the longitudinal extent of division of the IAS and EAS in relation to total sphincter length and continence (Jorge and Wexner scores).

Results

One-year follow-up revealed a 0% recurrence rate. There was a strong correlation between preoperative 3D-EAUS measurement of fistula height with intraoperative and postoperative 3D-EAUS measurement of IAS and EAS division (p < 0.001). The relationship between the level of EAS division and faecal incontinence showed a significant difference in incontinence rates between fistulotomies limited to the lower two thirds of the EAS and those above this level. Five patients (13.9%) had worse anal continence after surgery, although this was mild in all patients (<3/20 Jorge and Wexner scale). There was no significant difference in continence scores before and after surgery (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

In patients without risk factors, division of the EAS during fistulotomy limited to the lower two thirds of the EAS is associated with excellent continence and cure rates.

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Change history

  • 22 June 2019

    In the Fig. 1 of the original published version of this article the numbers were switched as well as in the text of Results section, lines 5 and 6. The revised figure and the corrected text are now presented correctly in this article.

  • 22 June 2019

    In the Fig. 1 of the original published version of this article the numbers were switched as well as in the text of Results section, lines 5 and 6. The revised figure and the corrected text are now presented correctly in this article.

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Acknowledgements

The manuscript has not received support in the form of grants, equipment, drugs, or all of these. The authors have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The manuscript was presented as a podium meeting presentation in the 2011 ASCRS Annual Meeting in Vancouver, 14–18 Canada, May.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Colorectal Unit, Hospital Clínico Universitario, HCUV. Avd. Blasco Ibañez, 17, 46010, Valencia, Spain

    Marina Garcés-Albir, Stephanie Anne García-Botello, Pedro Esclapez-Valero, Angel Sanahuja-Santafé, Juan Raga-Vázquez, Alejandro Espi-Macías & Joaquín Ortega-Serrano

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  1. Marina Garcés-Albir
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  2. Stephanie Anne García-Botello
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  3. Pedro Esclapez-Valero
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  4. Angel Sanahuja-Santafé
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  5. Juan Raga-Vázquez
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  6. Alejandro Espi-Macías
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  7. Joaquín Ortega-Serrano
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Correspondence to Marina Garcés-Albir.

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Garcés-Albir, M., García-Botello, S.A., Esclapez-Valero, P. et al. Quantifying the extent of fistulotomy. How much sphincter can we safely divide? A three-dimensional endosonographic study. Int J Colorectal Dis 27, 1109–1116 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-012-1437-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-012-1437-3

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