Can More than One Fistula Be Treated by a New Type of Seton Concomitantly?

Abstract

Objective: The treatment of trans-sphincteric fistulas is a surgical challenge since eradicating the fistula tract while maintaining the anal continence is vitally important. In this study we documented the outcomes of the patients with one or more fistulas treated at the same operation with a new type of seton. Patients and Methods: The study included 78 patients with 107 high anal fistulas who were treated with seton between 2007 and 2011. Fifty seven patients had only one fistula, 13 patients had two isolated fistulas and 8 patients had three isolated fistulas. Group I was the patients with one fistula and Group II was the patients having more than one fistula. Postoperative complications, hospital stay, cutting through the sphincter and healing times and Wexner’s scores were compared between the two groups. Results: In Group I, there were 57 patients and in Group II, 21 patients were operated for 50 fistulas. No postoperative complications were observed except urinary retentions (4 patients in Group I, 3 patients in Group II). No infection on the operation site was documented in both groups, in Group I none of the patients needed extra dose of narcotic analgesic but in Group II two of the patients who had 3 fistulas were discharged on the second postoperative day because of pain on the operation site. The median for the cutting seton to cut through the sphincter was 31 days and complete healing was achieved with a median of 40 days in Group I, whereas it was 56 and 65 days respectively for Group II. There were no recurrences in our patients in both groups. Although the Wexner scores of the both groups were low, the difference between the groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: It seems to be feasible to perform seton by using a cheap, effective, easily inserted material, also in treatment of patients with more than one fistula while preserving anal continence.