Observational studyTechniques in coloproctology2015
Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC™): long-term results and new operative strategies.
Observational study in Techniques in coloproctology, 2015. 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 52 papers, 7 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)
Intralesional Diode Laser Treatment of Fistulas in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Protocol for a Within-person Randomised Trial
LASER FiLaC™ (FISTULA LASER CLOSURE) : First-line Treatment of Complex Anal Fistulas
Who cites it
52 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Efficacy of FiLaC in different types of anal fistula. A systematic review and meta-analysis.Lasers in medical science · 2026Pooled it
- Failure rates and complications of four sphincter-sparing techniques for the treatment of fistula-in-ano: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.Techniques in coloproctology · 2025Pooled it
- Efficacy and safety of FiLaC™ for perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Techniques in coloproctology · 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
- Intraoperative Flexible Rectoscopy for Internal Opening Identification in Transsphincteric Perianal Fistula: A Feasible and Accessible Adjunct to Seton Placement.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Article
- Case report of combined application of three sphincter-preserving approaches in complex perianal fistula.Journal of surgical case reports · 2026Article
- Outcomes of Transanal Advancement Flap Repair and Hybrid Seton Placement in 84 Patients With Transsphincteric Anal Fistula.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
- Autologous skin graft intersphincteric implantation in anal fistula treatment (ASGIIFT) - A novel surgical technique in the treatment of complex transsphincteric anal fistulas.Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland · 2026Observational
- Article
- Article
- Laser fistula treatment: beyond the controversial aspects: best clinical practice recommendations from an international group of surgeons with extensive experience in the procedure-the FiLaC recommendations.Techniques in coloproctology · 2025Review
- Understanding the anatomical basis of anorectal fistulas and their surgical management: exploring different types for enhanced precision and safety.Surgery today · 2025Review
- Total fistula volume predicts surgical outcomes in complex perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease following fistula-tract laser closure: a single-center retrospective study.Techniques in coloproctology · 2025Article
- The management of complex fistula in ano by transanal opening of the intersphincteric space (TROPIS): short-term results.Annals of coloproctology · 2024Article
- Long-term outcomes of fistula-tract laser closure for complex perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease.Techniques in coloproctology · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC™) is a sphincter-saving technique for the treatment of anal fistulas that has been shown to be successful in the short and middle term. However, the long-term success rate is unknown. This study aimed to report long-term results in performing FiLaC™.
methodsThis study was performed as a retrospective observational study. Forty-five patients who underwent FiLaC™ between July 2010 and May 2014 were evaluated. In all cases, FiLaC™ was performed with a diode laser at a wavelength of 1470 nm by means of a radial fiber. Patients and fistula characteristics, previous treatments, healing rates, failures and postoperative incontinence were reviewed.
resultsMedian follow-up time was 30 months (range 6-46 months). Thirty-five patients (78%) had a history of previous surgery for their fistulas. Primary healing was observed in 32 patients (71.1%), and the median healing time was 5 weeks (range 3-8 weeks). Eleven of the 13 failures (85%) were early failures (persistent symptoms). No patient reported postoperative incontinence. The best healing rate was observed in patients who had been previously treated with loose seton (19/24, 79%).
conclusionsLong-term follow-up after FiLaC™ seems to confirm the favorable short-term success rates reported for this procedure. Although sealing of chronic anal fistulas may be obtained with FiLaC™ in a single treatment, our current strategy consists of placing a loose seton into the fistula tract a few weeks prior to laser treatment. Seton treatment facilitates the following laser procedure and seems to have favorable effects on healing.
Indexed as
Identifiers
25724967What 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.