Observational studyLangenbeck's archives of surgery2021
Effects of an anal fistula plug on anal function after surgery for treatment of a trans-sphincteric anal fistula.
Observational study in Langenbeck's archives of surgery, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- Preoperative transrectal three-dimensional ultrasound improves complex anal fistula diagnosis and surgical outcomes.The Journal of international medical research · 2026Article
- Healing and functional outcomes after treatment of high anal fistula with a modified anal fistula plug: a prospective cohort study.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Article
- Surgical effect and gastrointestinal functional recovery of laparoscopic-guided total mesorectal excision in patients with rectal cancer.Journal of minimal access surgery · 2024Article
- Evaluation of the mechanical properties and clinical application of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy anal fistula clip.Frontiers in surgery · 2023Article
- Guidelines to diagnose and treat peri-levator high-5 anal fistulas: Supralevator, suprasphincteric, extrasphincteric, high outersphincteric, and high intrarectal fistulas.World journal of gastroenterology · 2022Review
- The relationship between anal disease and quality of life: a bibliometric study.Annals of translational medicine · 2022Article
- Sphincter-Preserving Fistulectomy Is an Effective Minimally Invasive Technique for Complex Anal Fistulas.Frontiers in surgery · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
purposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the anal function in patients with trans-sphincteric anal fistulas who underwent an anal fistula plug procedure, and analyze risk factors that might affect post-operative anal function.
methodsThis was an observational, retrospective study of patients diagnosed with trans-sphincteric anal fistulas and initially underwent anal fistula plug procedures between August 2008 and September 2012 at our institute. The analysis includes clinical characteristics, anal fistula healing, and the Wexner score for pre- and post-operative anal function (0 = no incontinence to 20 = complete incontinence).
resultsA total of 123 patients who had an adequate follow-up in the end were included. The median duration of follow-up was 8 years (range 72-121 months). The overall healing rate was 56% (69/123), and 33 (26.8%) patients had decreased anal function after surgery. The post-operative Wexner score on anal function was significantly higher than that before the operation (p < 0.001), as well as scores of gas, liquid stool, solid stool incontinence, and alteration in lifestyle (p < 0.05). Based on multiple logistic regression analysis, a high body mass index (p < 0.001) and long distance between the external opening and anal verge (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with a decline in post-operative anal function.
conclusionsAs a sphincter-preserving technique for the treatment of anal fistulas, the anal fistula plug procedure might impair the anal function. Especially for patients with obesity or long distance between the external opening of anal fistula and anal verge, the reduced anal function is more likely to occur after treatment with anal fistula plug therapy.
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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.