The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Randomized clinical trial comparing collagen plug and advancement flap for trans‐sphincteric anal fistula. BJS 2017; 104: 1160-1166.

Published: 10th May 2017

Authors: J. Bondi, J. Avdagic, U. Karlbom, O. Hallböök, D. Kalman, J. Šaltytė Benth et al.

Background

The role of a collagen plug for treating anal fistula is not well established. A randomized prospective multicentre non‐inferiority study of surgical treatment of trans‐sphincteric cryptogenic fistulas was undertaken, comparing the anal fistula plug with the mucosal advancement flap with regard to fistula recurrence rate and functional outcome.

Method

Patients with an anal fistula were evaluated for eligibility in three centres, and randomized to either mucosal advancement flap surgery or collagen plug, with clinical follow‐up at 3 and 12 months. The primary outcome was the fistula recurrence rate. Anal pain (visual analogue scale), anal incontinence (St Mark's score) and quality of life (Short Form 36 questionnaire) were also reported.

Results

Ninety‐four patients were included; 48 were allocated to the plug procedure and 46 to advancement flap surgery. The median follow‐up was 12 (range 9–24) months. The recurrence rate at 12 months was 66 per cent (27 of 41 patients) in the plug group and 38 per cent (15 of 40) in the flap group (P = 0·006). Anal pain was reduced after operation in both groups. Anal incontinence did not change in the follow‐up period. Patients reported an increased quality of life after 3 months. There were no differences between the groups with regard to pain, incontinence or quality of life.

Conclusion

There was a considerably higher recurrence rate after the anal fistula plug procedure than following advancement flap repair. Registration number: NCT01021774 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

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