SynthesisTechniques in coloproctology2022
Video-assisted anal fistula treatment for complex anorectal fistulas in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Techniques in coloproctology, 2022. 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
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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.
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, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- Systematic review and network meta-analysis of cryptoglandular complex anal fistula treatment: evaluation of surgical strategies.Updates in surgery · 2025Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Intraoperative Flexible Rectoscopy for Internal Opening Identification in Transsphincteric Perianal Fistula: A Feasible and Accessible Adjunct to Seton Placement.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Article
- Pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with anal fistula.Frontiers in surgery · 2026Review
- Evidence outside the box: Minimally invasive treatment for anal fistula.World journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2025Review
- Prognostic Value of Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Patients With Anal Fistula Treated by Incision-Thread-Drawing Surgery.Annals of gastroenterological surgery · 2025Article
- Endoscopic Identification of a Hidden Internal Opening Using Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT).Cureus · 2025Article
- IFTAK (Interception of Fistulous Tract with Application of Ksharasutra) technique: a minimally invasive solution for recurrent fistula-in-ano-a case series analysis.International journal of colorectal disease · 2025Article
- A Guide Through the Tunnel: Updates in the Approach to Classification and Management of Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.Current gastroenterology reports · 2025Review
- Structured magnetic resonance imaging and endoanal ultrasound anal fistulas reporting template (SMART): An interdisciplinary Delphi consensus.World journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2024Article
- Article
- Efficacy and safety of transanal opening of intersphincteric space in the treatment of high complex anal fistula: A meta‑analysis.Experimental and therapeutic medicine · 2024Article
- Assessing the suitability of video-assisted anal fistula treatment for obese patients compared to conventional surgery: a question worth investigating.International journal of colorectal disease · 2024Article
- Article
- Where Are We and Where to Next?-The Future of Perianal Crohn's Disease Management.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Review
- A pilot study on staged surgery by delta video-assisted anal fistula treatment (dVAAFT) for complex anal fistula.Updates in surgery · 2023Article
- Surgical treatment trends and outcomes for anal fistula: fistulotomy is still accurate and safe. Results from a nationwide observational study.Techniques in coloproctology · 2023Observational
- Two-finger digital rectal examination for the diagnosis of anal fistula: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.Journal of gastrointestinal oncology · 2023Article
- Surgery of Simple and Complex Anal Fistulae in Adults: A Review of the Literature for Optimal Surgical Outcomes.Cureus · 2023Review
- Evaluation of the mechanical properties and clinical application of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy anal fistula clip.Frontiers in surgery · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundVideo-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) has gained increasing acceptance as a sphincter-sparing procedure for treating complex anorectal fistulas (CAF), but no unequivocal conclusions can yet be drawn regarding its ultimate effectiveness. We reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VAAFT in CAF patients.
methodsThe study protocol was registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42021279085). A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to June 2021 with no restriction on language based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We used the keywords video-assisted surgery, video-assisted anal fistula treatment, and complex anorectal fistula to identify relevant studies.
resultsFourteen trials (7 prospective and 7 retrospective) with a total of 1201 patients (mean age 43.5 years) were included. The median follow-up duration was 16.5(8-48) months. Pooled analysis showed that the rates of success, recurrence and postoperative complication across the studies were 83% (95% CI 81-85%, I
conclusionsAccording to the available evidence, VAAFT may be a valuable alternative to fistulotomy or seton in treating CAF and has the additional long-term benefits of reducing anal incontinence and surgical morbidity, permitting earlier healing and accelerated rehabilitation.
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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.