ArticleTechniques in coloproctology2019
Perianal fistulas and the lift procedure: results, predictive factors for success, and long-term results with subsequent treatment.
Article in Techniques in coloproctology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 49 citations in OpenAlex.
- 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
- Simple fistula-in-ano: is it all simple? A systematic review.Techniques in coloproctology · 2021Pooled it
- Comparison of incision and drainage procedure with drainage and ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract in the treatment of deep perianal abscess.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- A commentary on "The modified clipped ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (clipped-LIFT) for high transsphincteric/suprasphincteric fistula: a proof-of-concept study".International journal of surgery (London, England) · 2026Article
- Outcome of transanal advancement flap repair (TAFR) as salvage therapy after failed ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT)-A proposed algorithm after failed LIFT.Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland · 2025Observational
- Is the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure truly a sphincter preserving procedure for anal fistula? A scoping review of the literature.European journal of medical research · 2025Article
- Minimal invasiveAnnals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2025Article
- A modified sphincter-preserved procedure for high complex anal fistulas: a preliminary study.Gastroenterology report · 2025Article
- LIFT procedure: postoperative outcomes, risk factors for fistula recurrence and continence impairment.Updates in surgery · 2024Article
- Article
- Predictors of recurrence and long-term patient reported outcomes following surgical repair of anal fistula, a retrospective analysis.International journal of colorectal disease · 2024Article
- Surgical Management of Perianal Crohn's Disease: Current Evidence and Future Directions.Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH · 2024Article
- Role of Microbiome in the Outcomes Following Surgical Repair of Perianal Fistula: Prospective Cohort Study Design and Preliminary Results.World journal of surgery · 2023Article
- Multi-national observational study to assess quality of life and treatment preferences in patients with Crohn's perianal fistulas.World journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2023Article
- Efficacy of Permacol injection for perianal fistulas in a tertiary referral population: poor outcome in patients with complex fistulas.Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland · 2021Article
- Small modifications can obtain good results when treating high transsphincteric anal fistula with LIFT.Techniques in coloproctology · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundTreatment of a perianal fistula is difficult due to the risk of fecal incontinence and recurrence. The ligation of intersphincteric tract (LIFT) procedure is a sphincter-saving procedure associated with success rates ranging from 57 to 94%. The aim of our study was to find predictors for a favorable outcome of the LIFT procedure, evaluation of postoperative fecal incontinence, quality of life, and subsequent treatment with long-term follow-up.
methodsThis study was performed in patients who underwent LIFT between 2013 and 2015 at our institution. Their medical data were retrieved from the electronic patient files. The fistula characteristics were described by physical examination, three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound, and perioperative evaluation. Recurrence rate, postoperative fecal incontinence, and quality of life were assessed with the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement (PROM). Thirty-two months later, long-term follow-up including subsequent procedures was evaluated.
resultsForty-five patients [17 men, mean age 40 years (range 24-67 years)] were included. In 41 (84%) patients, the fistula was classified as complex; 32 (71%) were referrals with a history of previous fistula surgery. The initial success rate was 18 (40%). Only the height of the internal fistula opening (≥ 15 mm p < 0.03) was associated with recurrence. The LIFT procedure did not affect the occurrence of fecal incontinence or soiling. Recurrence showed a trend with a lower PROM (p = 0.07). Twenty-four months later, further surgery leads to cure in 34 (75%), asymptomatic fistulas in 7 (16%), and persisting active fistulas in 4 (9%) patients.
conclusionsInitial LIFT had a success rate of 40% and with subsequent surgical treatment 75%. Recurrence after LIFT is related to the height of the internal fistula opening and is associated with diminished quality of life. Continence was not affected by initial LIFT.
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