SynthesisTechniques in coloproctology2015
Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty for anal fistula (FIPS): a systematic review.
Synthesis in Techniques in coloproctology, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 34 papers, 3 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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
34 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 87 citations in OpenAlex.
- Systematic review and network meta-analysis of cryptoglandular complex anal fistula treatment: evaluation of surgical strategies.Updates in surgery · 2025Pooled it
- Video-assisted anal fistula treatment for complex anorectal fistulas in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Techniques in coloproctology · 2022Pooled it
- German S3 guidelines: anal abscess and fistula (second revised version).Langenbeck's archives of surgery · 2017Pooled it
- Efficacy of micronized purified flavonoid fraction in reducing pain after anal fistula surgery: a randomized controlled trial.Techniques in coloproctology · 2026Trial
- Trial
- Trial
- Fistulectomy and immediate sphincter reconstruction with fistula bed reinforcement-A video vignette.Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland · 2026Article
- Surgical and functional outcomes of endorectal advancement flap repair in anorectal fistulas.Techniques in coloproctology · 2026Article
- Anoscrotal fistulas: causes and management in a 10-year French case series.International journal of colorectal disease · 2026Article
- 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
- Fistulectomy and primary sphincter reconstruction for high cryptoglandular anal fistula: a retrospective cohort study with long-term results.Surgical endoscopy · 2025Article
- Preliminary results of a novel sphincter-sparing technique-fistula occlusion with the internal sphincter flap (FOISF)-for high complex anal fistulas.Gastroenterology report · 2025Article
- Prevalence and Characteristics of Transsphincteric Anal Fistulas Unclassifiable by the Sumikoshi Classification: A Single-center Retrospective Study.Journal of the anus, rectum and colon · 2025Article
- Achieving a high cure rate in complex anal fistulas: understanding the conceptual role of the Garg cardinal principles.Annals of coloproctology · 2024Article
- Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of complex anal fistula.Annals of coloproctology · 2024Review
- Immediate sphincter repair following fistulotomy for anal fistula: does it impact the healing rate and septic complications?Annals of coloproctology · 2024Article
- Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
There is still no clear consensus about surgical treatment of anal fistulas. Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincter reconstruction is still regarded with skepticism. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence in the literature supporting the use of this technique in the treatment of complex anal fistulas. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched for the period between 1985 and 2015. The studies selected were peer-reviewed articles, with no limitations concerning the study cohort size, length of the follow-up or language. Technical notes, commentaries, letters and meeting abstracts were excluded. The major endpoints were the technique adopted, clinical efficacy, changes at anorectal manometry and assessment of quality of life after the procedure. Fourteen reports (666 patients) satisfied the inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was low. Some differences about the surgical technique emerged; however, after a weighted average duration of follow-up of 28.9 months, the overall success rate was 93.2 %, with a low morbidity rate. The overall postoperative worsening continence rate was 12.4 % (mainly post-defecation soiling). In almost all cases, the anorectal manometry parameters remained unchanged. The quality of life, when evaluated, improved significantly. Fistulotomy or fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty could be a therapeutic option for complex anal fistula. Success rates were very high and the risk of postoperative fecal incontinence was lower than after simple fistulotomy. Well-designed trials are needed to support the inclusion of this technique in a treatment algorithm for the management of complex anal fistulas.
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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.