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Continence disorders after anal fistulotomy

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was designed to detect factors that predict the occurrence of continence disorders after anal fistulotomy. METHODS: A retrospective study of the charts of 312 patients was undertaken. A questionnaire was sent to all patients, with a response rate of 90 percent. RESULTS: Minor continence disorders occurred in 73 patients, incontinence did not occur. Multivariate analysis (chi-squared test) was performed showing that extensions (P=0.008), location (P=0.03), and level (P=0.029) of the anal opening appeared to be independent factors. CONCLUSION: Patients with high openings, posterior openings, or fistula extensions are at risk to develop continence disorders after anal fistulotomy.

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Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois, May 2 to 7, 1993.

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van Tets, W.F., Kuijpers, H.C. Continence disorders after anal fistulotomy. Dis Colon Rectum 37, 1194–1197 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02257781

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