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Efficacy of Anal Fistula Plug in Closure of Cryptoglandular Fistulas: Long-Term Follow-Up

  • Original Contributions
  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

Purpose

The long-term efficacy of Surgisis® anal fistula plug in closure of cryptoglandular anorectal fistulas was studied.

Methods

Patients with high cryptoglandular anorectal fistulas were prospectively studied. Additional variables recorded were: number of fistula tracts, and presence of setons. Under general anesthesia and in prone jackknife position, patients underwent irrigation of the fistula tract by using hydrogen peroxide. Each primary opening was occluded by using a Surgisis® anal fistula plug, which was securely sutured in place at the primary opening and tacked to the periphery of the secondary opening.

Results

Forty-six patients were prospectively enrolled during a two-year period. Follow-up was six months to two years (median, 12 months). At final follow-up, all fistula tracts had been successfully closed in 38 patients, for an overall success rate of 83 percent. Seven patients had multiple tracts, for a total of 55 fistula tracts in the series. Of the 55 individual tracts, 47 (85 percent) were closed at final follow-up. Patients with one primary opening were most likely to have successful closure by using the anal fistula plug, although this was not significant. Successful closure was not correlated with the presence of setons.

Conclusions

Long-term closure of cryptoglandular anorectal fistula tracts using Surgisis® anal fistula plug is safe and successful in 83 percent of patients and 85 percent of tracts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Georgia Colon & Rectal Surgical Clinic, 5555 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, USA

    Bradley J. Champagne M.D., Lynn M. O’Connor M.D., Martha Ferguson M.D., Guy R. Orangio M.D., Marion E. Schertzer M.D. & David N. Armstrong M.D., F.R.C.S.

Authors
  1. Bradley J. Champagne M.D.
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  2. Lynn M. O’Connor M.D.
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  3. Martha Ferguson M.D.
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  4. Guy R. Orangio M.D.
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  5. Marion E. Schertzer M.D.
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  6. David N. Armstrong M.D., F.R.C.S.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David N. Armstrong M.D., F.R.C.S..

Additional information

Dr. David Amstrong has a patent-licensing agreement with the manufacturer of Surgisis® (Cook Surgical, Inc., Bloomington, IN).

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Champagne, B.J., O’Connor, L.M., Ferguson, M. et al. Efficacy of Anal Fistula Plug in Closure of Cryptoglandular Fistulas: Long-Term Follow-Up. Dis Colon Rectum 49, 1817–1821 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-006-0755-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-006-0755-3

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