LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF LIGATION OF INTERSPHINCTERIC FISTULA TRACT FOR COMPLEX FISTULA-IN-ANO: MODIFIED OPERATIVE PROCEDURE EXPERIENCE.

BACKGROUND: It is important but difficult to treat complex fistula-in-ano due to the high recurrent rate and following incontinence. Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT), a novel surgical procedure with the advantage of avoiding anal incontinence, has a variable success rate of 57-94.4 %. AIM: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of modified LIFT operative procedure - ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract - to treat complex fistula-in-ano. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 62 cases of complex fistula-in-ano. The group was treated with the modified approach of LIFT (curved incision was made in the anal canal skin; purse-string suture was performed around the fistula; the residual fistulas were removed in a tunnel-based way) and had a follow-up time of more than one year. Patient´s preoperative general condition, postoperative efficacy and their anal function were compared. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 34, and 43 (69.4%) cases were male. Forty-one (66.1%) cases were of high transsphincteric fistula, four (6.5%) cases of high intrasphincter fistula, and 17 (27.4%) cases of anterior anal fistula in female. The median follow-up duration was 24.5 (range, 12-51) months. The success rate in the end of follow-up was 83.9% (52/62). The anorectal pressure and Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence (CCF-FI) evaluated three months before and after the operation did not find apparent changes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with LIFT, the modified LIFT remarkably reduces postoperative failure and the recurrence rate of complex fistula with acceptable long-term outcomes.

Long-term outcomes of ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract for complex fistula-in-ano: modified operative procedure experience / Resultados em longo prazo da ligadura da fístula interesfincteriana no complexo das fístulas perianais: modificação técnica de procedimento cirúrgico

ABSTRACT Background: It is important but difficult to treat complex fistula-in-ano due to the high recurrent rate and following incontinence. Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT), a novel surgical procedure with the advantage of avoiding anal incontinence, has a variable success rate of 57-94.4 %. Aim: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of modified LIFT operative procedure - ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract - to treat complex fistula-in-ano. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 62 cases of complex fistula-in-ano. The group was treated with the modified approach of LIFT (curved incision was made in the anal canal skin; purse-string suture was performed around the fistula; the residual fistulas were removed in a tunnel-based way) and had a follow-up time of more than one year. Patient´s preoperative general condition, postoperative efficacy and their anal function were compared. Results: The median age of the participants was 34, and 43 (69.4%) cases were male. Forty-one (66.1%) cases were of high transsphincteric fistula, four (6.5%) cases of high intrasphincter fistula, and 17 (27.4%) cases of anterior anal fistula in female. The median follow-up duration was 24.5 (range, 12-51) months. The success rate in the end of follow-up was 83.9% (52/62). The anorectal pressure and Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence (CCF-FI) evaluated three months before and after the operation did not find apparent changes. Conclusions: Compared with LIFT, the modified LIFT remarkably reduces postoperative failure and the recurrence rate of complex fistula with acceptable long-term outcomes.

RESUMO Racional: É importante, mas difícil de se tratar fístula anal complexa devido à alta taxa de recorrência e de incontinência pós-operatória. A ligadura do trajeto da fístula interesfincteriana (LIFT) - um novo procedimento cirúrgico com a vantagem de evitar a incontinência anal - tem taxa de sucesso variável entre 57-94,4%. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados em longo prazo do procedimento cirúrgico LIFT modificado - ligadura do trato interesfincteriano com fístula - para tratar fístula complexa anal. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de 62 casos de fístula complexa no ânus tratados com abordagem modificada de LIFT (incisão curva na pele do canal anal; sutura em bolsa realizada em torno da fístula; as fístulas residuais removidas em um túnel) e teve tempo de acompanhamento de mais de um ano. A condição geral pré-operatória dos pacientes, a eficácia pós-operatória e a função anal foram comparadas. Resultados: A mediana de idade dos participantes foi de 34 anos, e 43 (69,4%) dos casos eram de homens. Quarenta e um (66,1%) casos eram de fístula transesfincteriana alta, quatro (6,5%) de fístula intra-esfincteriana alta e 17 (27,4%) de fístula anal anterior em mulheres. A mediana da duração do acompanhamento foi de 24,5 meses (12-51). A taxa de sucesso no final do acompanhamento foi de 83,9% (52/62). A pressão anorretal e a Incontinência Fecal da Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF-FI) avaliadas três meses antes e após a operação não encontraram alterações aparentes. Conclusões: Comparado com o LIFT, o LIFT modificado reduz notavelmente a falha pós-operatória e a taxa de recorrência de fístula complexa com resultados aceitáveis em longo prazo.

Aqueous Extracts of Herba Cistanche Promoted Intestinal Motility in Loperamide-Induced Constipation Rats by Ameliorating the Interstitial Cells of Cajal.

Traditional Chinese medicine was reported to have good effects in treating functional constipation. This work attempted to prove the effects of aqueous extracts of Herba Cistanche (AEHC) on STC treatment and to determine the possible mechanisms by a loperamide-induced slow transit constipation (STC) model. HPLC was performed for identification and confirmation of the bioactive components in the AEHC. It was found that AEHC attenuated STC responses based on increased fecal quantity, moisture content, and intestinal transit rate, as well as serum levels of GAS, MTL, SS, and CGRP. The protein and mRNA levels of c-kit, a labeling of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), also increased. Meanwhile, only the protein level of SCF, a ligand of c-kit, increased. The analysis of our data suggested that AEHC could obviously improve the function of ICC via a signaling pathway involving PI3K, SCF, and c-kit and enhance colonic motility indices such as GAS, MTL, SS, and CGRP. It is interesting to note that AEHC appeared to be effective on constipation, so further experiments are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms involved.