ArticleTechniques in coloproctology2019
Implementation of laser ablation of fistula tract (LAFT) for perianal fistulas: do the results warrant continued application of this technique?
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, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
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
16 citing papers in PubMed, 3 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Does the location of the internal opening matter? A long-term retrospective study of the efficacy of FiLaCBMC surgery · 2026Article
- Laser technology in proctological diseases: is it really the wave of the future?Updates in surgery · 2023Review
- The bared external anal sphincter (BEAS), a new technique for high horseshoe anal fistula: a hospital-based cohort study.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Comprehensive literature review of the applications of surgical laser in benign anal conditions.Lasers in medical science · 2022Review
- Fistula Laser Closure (FiLaC™) for fistula-in-ano-yet another technique with 50% healing rates?International journal of colorectal disease · 2021Article
- Treatment of anal fistula with FiLaCTechniques in coloproctology · 2021Article
- Sphincter-saving therapy for fistula-in-ano: long-term follow-up after FiLaCTechniques in coloproctology · 2021Article
- Emerging Data on Fistula Laser Closure (FiLaC) for the Treatment of Perianal Fistulas; Patient Selection and Outcomes.Clinical and experimental gastroenterology · 2021Review
- The complexity of cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano can be predicted by the distance of the external opening to the anal verge; implications for preoperative imaging?Techniques in coloproctology · 2021Article
- Modern surgical strategies for perianal Crohn's disease.World journal of gastroenterology · 2020Review
- Laser treatment for anal fistulas: what are the pitfalls?Techniques in coloproctology · 2020Article
- Closure of Fistula-in-Ano Using a Radial-Emitting Laser Probe: Initial Experience in Lagos, Nigeria.Journal of the West African College of SurgeonsArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLaser Ablation of Fistula Tract (LAFT) is a novel technique for the treatment of perianal fistulas. Initial reports have shown moderate-to-good results. The aim of this study was to evaluate this implementation and the effectiveness of this technique. Patients were offered LAFT as a treatment option for their perianal fistulas at the outpatient clinic between November 2016 and April 2018. Inclusion criteria were intersphincteric and transsphincteric fistula of cryptoglandular origin [10]. Exclusion criteria were supra- or extrasphincteric fistula, Crohn's disease, presence of undrained collections or side tracts and malignancy-related fistula. The primary outcome was fistula healing rate, the main secondary outcome incidence of postoperative fecal incontinence. Healing and postoperative FISI were evaluated at our outpatient clinic during follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks. A questionnaire was sent to all patients to evaluate the long-term postoperative FISI and patient satisfaction after 3 months.
resultsBetween November 2016 and April 2018, 20 patients [m:f = 4:16, median age 45 (27-78) years] underwent LAFT. Median follow-up was 10 months (IQR 7.3 months). A draining seton was placed in 15 (75%) of all patients with a median time of 12 weeks (IQR 14 weeks) prior to LAFT. Five intersphincteric and 13 transsphincteric fistulas were treated. Overall healing rate was 20% (4/20). The median postoperative fecal incontinence severity index (FISI) score was 0 (range 0-38); however, we found a change in continence in 39% of the patients.
conclusionsLAFT has now been discontinued as a treatment of cryptoglandular perianal fistulas in our centre, because of its disappointing results. Further detailed research seems to be warranted to investigate its exact indication and limitations.
Indexed as
Identifiers
31781883What 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.