SynthesisTechniques in coloproctology2021
Simple fistula-in-ano: is it all simple? A systematic review.
Synthesis in Techniques in coloproctology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers, 2 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
20 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 50 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
- Platelet-rich fibrin matrix as treatment for complex anal fistulae: A 3-year experience at a tertiary centre.Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland · 2026Article
- Clinical efficacy and failure-related factors of the loose-seton procedure combined with transanal opening of the intersphincteric space technique (LoSet-TROPlS) in the treatment of complex anal fistulas.Techniques in coloproctology · 2026Article
- 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
- Anal fistulas: do classification systems predict surgical outcomes?Arquivos brasileiros de cirurgia digestiva : ABCD = Brazilian archives of digestive surgery · 2026Article
- Comparison of fistulotomy and fistulotomy in managing low anal fistula: A prospective study.Bioinformation · 2026Article
- Female Trans-Sphincteric Anterior Anal Fistula: Still an Unsolved Problem-Results from a Nationwide Cohort Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Article
- Understanding the anatomical basis of anorectal fistulas and their surgical management: exploring different types for enhanced precision and safety.Surgery today · 2025Review
- Minimal invasiveAnnals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2025Article
- Ano-Bartholin's Gland Fistula Caused by Anal Fistula in a Patient without Crohn's Disease: A Case Report.Journal of the anus, rectum and colon · 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
- Use of Non-Thermal Plasma as Postoperative Therapy in Anal Fistula: Clinical Experience and Results.Biomedicines · 2024Article
- Modified anal sphincter suspension improves anal function in patients with anal fistula.American journal of translational research · 2024Article
- Surgical treatment trends and outcomes for anal fistula: fistulotomy is still accurate and safe. Results from a nationwide observational study.Techniques in coloproctology · 2023Observational
- Would Surgeons Like to Be Submitted to Anal Fistulotomy? An International Web-Based Survey.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Article
- Fistulotomy versus Fistulectomy for Fistula-in-Ano: A Randomized Prospective Study.Surgery journal (New York, N.Y.) · 2022Article
- 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 angle of the anal fistula track and the distance between the internal opening and the anorectal junction: two further useful parameters in MRI?Techniques in coloproctology · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
10 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSimple anal fistula is one of the most common causes of proctological surgery and fistulotomy is considered the gold standard. This procedure, however, may cause complications. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the surgical treatment of simple anal fistula with traditional and sphincter-sparing techniques.
methodsA literature research was performed using PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar to identify studies on the surgical treatment of simple anal fistulas. Observational studies and randomized clinical trials were included. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies using the Jadad scale for randomized controlled trials, and the MINORS Scale for the remaining studies.
resultsThe search returned 456 records, and 66 studies were found to be eligible. The quality of the studies was generally low. A total of 4883 patients with a simple anal fistula underwent a sphincter-cutting procedure, mainly fistulotomy, with a weighted average healing rate of 93.7%, while any postoperative continence impairment was reported in 12.7% of patients. Sphincter-sparing techniques were adopted to treat 602 patients affected by simple anal fistula, reaching a weighted average success rate of 77.7%, with no study reporting a significant postoperative incontinence rate. The postoperative onset of fecal incontinence and the recurrence of the disease reduced patients' quality of life and satisfaction.
conclusionsSurgical treatment of simple anal fistulas with sphincter-cutting procedures provides excellent cure rates, even if postoperative fecal incontinence is not a negligible risk. A sphincter-sparing procedure could be useful in selected patients.
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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.