New Type of Seton with Irrigating Tube for the Treatment of High Complex Anal Fistula: A Simple and Effective Instrument

Abstract

This study compared the clinical results of surgical treatment of high complex anal fistula with a conventional seton and a new type of seton consisting of an elastic sheath and alloy core tube for irrigation of the wound track. A total of 438 patients were included in the study; 215 were treated with a conventional seton and 223 with the new-type seton. In patients treated with the new-type seton, the wound track was irrigated daily with 100 ml physiological saline, 100 ml hypertonic saline and 0.5 g metronidazole gel from the second postoperative day until seton removal. The new-type seton was associated with significant reductions in recurrence rate, length of stay and healing time compared with the conventional seton, but there were no significant differences in operation time or postoperative incontinence rates. It is concluded that the new-type seton with irrigating tube can improve the treatment of high complex anal fistula.