TREATMENT OF HIGH TRANS-SPHINCTERIC ANAL FISTULA: COMPARISON OF ANAL FISTULA PLUG USING SURGICAL VERSUS CUTTING SETON

Abstract

Objective: To compare the anal fistula plug using surgical versus cutting seton in the treatment of high transsphincteric anal fistula, in terms of frequency of fistula closure.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur from Aug 2013 to Feb 2014.

Patients and Methods: A total of 120 patients were randomly divided into two groups of 60 patients each using lottery method. Group-A comprised patients undergoing treatment with anal fistula plug while group B included patients undergoing treatment with seton. The patients were then checked for fistula closure for three months post operatively.

Results: Fistula closure at 3 months was observed in 40 patients (66.7%) of group-A and in 27 patients (45.0%) in group-B. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (p=0.017).

Conclusion: Anal fistula plug is superior to cutting seton in terms of frequency of fistula closure in patients with high anal fistula.