[Transanal rectal advancement flap versus mucosa flap with internal suture in management of complicated fistulas of the anorectum]

Abstract

A prospective study was carried out on 55 patients with complicated anal fistulas (41 transsphincteric, 5 suprasphincteric and 9 rectovaginal) to evaluate the value of two sphincter-conserving techniques with primary occlusion of the internal ostium and endorectal advancement flap (group A, n = 34) or mucosal flap (group B, n = 21). Ten of the patients had Crohn's disease. Both techniques consist in one-stage fistulectomy without drainage of the intersphincteric space. The inflamed proctodeal and granulation tissue was carefully cleared. The site of the former primary orifice of the fistula was adapted by means of two or three peranally performed single stitches. The peranally applied suture included the layers of the internal anal sphincter muscle only. A mobilized flap of rectal wall (group A) and rectal mucosa and submucosa (group B) about 4 cm x 3 cm in size was stitched below the muscular sphincter. The perianal part of the wound was left to heal by second intention. Postoperatively there were 16 cases of suture leakage (23.5% in group A, and 38% in group B), and 19 patients (26% or 47% in both groups) had to have revision surgery because of recurrent fistula or sutur leakage; 2 patients (3.6%) developed incontinence with intermittent fecal soiling. Complete incontinence was not observed in any patient. No significant difference in clinical and functional results was determined between the two groups.