ArticleTechniques in coloproctology2011
A new technique for sphincter-preserving anal fistula repair using a novel radial emitting laser probe.
Article in Techniques in coloproctology, 2011. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 3 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 83 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Treatment of Anal Fistula With Laser Mediated Heat Coagulation Using Fistula Laser Closure (FiLaC)
Laser Closure of Anal Fistula (FiLaC); Do we Need to Close Internal Orifice?
LASER FiLaC™ (FISTULA LASER CLOSURE) : First-line Treatment of Complex Anal Fistulas
Who cites it
83 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 225 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of FiLaC in different types of anal fistula. A systematic review and meta-analysis.Lasers in medical science · 2026Pooled it
- Effectiveness of Laser-Based Fistula Therapies with and without Adjunctive Measures in Anal Fistulas Management: A Systematic Review and Single-Arm Meta-Analysis.International journal of colorectal disease · 2025Pooled it
- Efficacy and safety of laser ablation for recurrent pilonidal sinus: a systematic review and meta‑analysis.International journal of colorectal disease · 2025Pooled it
- Surgical management of complex perianal fistula revisited in a systematic review: a critical view of available scientific evidence.BMC surgery · 2023Pooled it
- Laser treatment of pilonidal disease: a systematic review.Lasers in medical science · 2022Pooled it
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of fistula laser closure.Techniques in coloproctology · 2020Pooled it
- Evaluation and management of perianal abscess and anal fistula: SICCR position statement.Techniques in coloproctology · 2020Guideline
- Short-term efficacy and safety of three novel sphincter-sparing techniques for anal fistulae: a systematic review.Techniques in coloproctology · 2017Pooled it
- German S3 guidelines: anal abscess and fistula (second revised version).Langenbeck's archives of surgery · 2017Pooled it
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical interventions for high cryptoglandular perianal fistula.International journal of colorectal disease · 2015Pooled it
- Traditional Chinese surgical treatment for anal fistulae with secondary tracks and abscess.World journal of gastroenterology · 2012Trial
- Treatment of complex perianal fistulas with fistula laser closure : Application of the IDEAL 2A framework.Wiener klinische Wochenschrift · 2026Article
- Sinus laser-assisted closure for pilonidal sinus disease: a prospective single-center study.Annals of coloproctology · 2026Article
- Core-Out Fistulectomy Combined With Laser Ablation of the Trans-Sphincteric Fistula Tract: A Pilot Study of Efficacy and Safety.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2026Article
- Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tractWorld journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2026Article
- Does the location of the internal opening matter? A long-term retrospective study of the efficacy of FiLaCBMC surgery · 2026Article
- Evidence outside the box: Minimally invasive treatment for anal fistula.World journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2025Review
- Future of pilonidal cyst surgery: a comparative review of traditional and laser techniques.BMC surgery · 2025Review
- Article
- [Anal fistula disease : Anatomical foundations and surgical procedures].Chirurgie (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2025Review
23 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
1 author at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Anal fistula repair still remains challenging. Up to 30% of fistulas persist after surgery despite many improvements in surgical skills and technique. One major reason for surgical failure is a persistent fistula track or remnants of the fistula epithelium which could not be removed during surgery. To overcome this problem, a novel technique was developed using a newly invented radial emitting laser probe ("FiLaC™", Biolitec, Germany) to destroy the fistula epithelium and to simultaneously obliterate the remaining fistula track. In a pilot study, we operated on 11 patients with cryptoglandular anal fistula. All patients underwent previous surgery up to 6 times prior to definitive surgery. In the primary operation, the initial abscess was drained, the internal opening of the fistula identified and seton drainage placed. During fistula repair, we used the flap technique for conventional closure of the internal opening. The remaining fistula track was cleaned mechanically, the laser inserted into the track and energy applied homogeneously at a wavelength of 1,470 nm and 13 watt. While providing continuous retraction of the probe, the remaining epithelium was destroyed and the fistula track obliterated. The median follow-up was 7.4 months. Nine out of 11 fistulas showed primary healing (81.8%). Only one minor form of incontinence (limited soiling) was observed and no complications occurred. The use of a novel diode laser source and a radial emitting laser probe in addition to conventional surgery is a very promising new technique in sphincter-preserving anal fistula repair. The observed healing rate is high. Due to minimized trauma to the sphincter muscle, there are good short-term functional results without observable procedure-related complications.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.