SynthesisTechniques in coloproctology2020
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the safety and efficacy of fistula laser closure.
Synthesis in Techniques in coloproctology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 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
33 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 77 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 FiLaC™ for perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Techniques in coloproctology · 2022Pooled it
- A pilot randomized controlled trial on ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) versus modified parks technique and two-stage seton in treatment of complex anal fistula.Updates in surgery · 2022Trial
- Molecular differences of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells between non-responders and responders in treatment of transphincteric perianal fistulas.Stem cell research & therapy · 2021Trial
- Use of microfragmented autologous adipose tissue (LIPOGEMS®) as a sphincter-saving therapy for complex anal fistulas: a single-center retrospective study.BMC surgery · 2026Observational
- Complete Healing After Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosome Therapy For a Refractory Complex Anal Fistula.Cureus · 2026Article
- A novel sphincter-sparing procedure for seton removal in complex perianal fistulas: the FiLaFlap technique.Techniques in coloproctology · 2025Article
- Evidence outside the box: Minimally invasive treatment for anal fistula.World journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2025Review
- Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula fract (LIFT) in complex anorectal fistulas: retrospective analysis of the outcomes in a tertiary hospital.Updates in surgery · 2025Article
- 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
- Toward less invasive coloproctology: The future is out there.World journal of gastroenterology · 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
- Efficacy of different surgical treatments for management of anal fistula: a network meta-analysis.Techniques in coloproctology · 2023Review
- Laser interventions in coloproctology. A plea for standardized treatment protocols.Techniques in coloproctology · 2023Article
- Laser technology in proctological diseases: is it really the wave of the future?Updates in surgery · 2023Review
- Surgical treatment trends and outcomes for anal fistula: fistulotomy is still accurate and safe. Results from a nationwide observational study.Techniques in coloproctology · 2023Observational
- Surgery of Simple and Complex Anal Fistulae in Adults: A Review of the Literature for Optimal Surgical Outcomes.Cureus · 2023Review
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 at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFistula laser closure (FiLaC) is a novel sphincter-saving technique for the treatment of fistula-in-ano. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the FiLaC procedure.
methodsDatabases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for articles assessing FiLaC. All studies including case series and comparative studies reporting the outcome of FiLaC in the treatment of fistula-in-ano were considered eligible. The main outcomes were healing rates of fistula laser closure, postoperative complications including incontinence, technical aspects of the procedure and failure of healing.
resultsSeven studies were included. There were a total of 454 patients, 69.1% with a transsphincteric fistula-in-ano and 35% with recurrent disease. The median age of the patients was 43 years (range 18-83 years). The median operation time was 18.3 min (range 6-32 min). With a median follow-up of 23.7 months, the weighed mean rate of primary healing was 67.3% and the overall success when FiLaC was reused was 69.7%. The weighted mean rate of complications was 4%, all of them were minor complications and the weighted mean rate of continence affection was 1% in the form of minor soiling.
conclusionsFiLaC may be considered an effective and safe sphincter-saving technique for the treatment of fistula-in-ano with an acceptable, low, complication rate. However, well-designed randomized control trials comparing FiLaC with other techniques are required to substantiate the promising outcomes reported in this review.
Indexed as
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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.