ArticleUpdates in surgery2023
A pilot study on staged surgery by delta video-assisted anal fistula treatment (dVAAFT) for complex anal fistula.
Article in Updates in surgery, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 3 citations in OpenAlex.
- Pooled 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
- Pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with anal fistula.Frontiers in surgery · 2026Review
- Effect of active wound dressing on postoperative pain and wound healing in patients undergoing anorectal surgery.BMC gastroenterology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Complex anal fistulas (CAF) present a challenge in achieving healing while preserving anal sphincter function. This study aims to introduce a novel staged approach for CAF treatment, combining video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT), seton placement, and other staged approaches. Consecutive patients with CAF underwent the staged approach involving VAAFT and seton placement. Data on patient demographics, fistula characteristics, and operative findings were collected. Pre-operative work-up included clinical evaluation, endoanal ultrasonography (EAUS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Surgical techniques and outcomes were evaluated. Eighteen patients (median age 38 years) were included. Misplacement of a previously placed seton was observed in 64% of cases. VAAFT combined with seton placement achieved simplification and healing of secondary tracts in 66% of cases. Operative times significantly decreased across interventions. At a median follow-up of 14 months, complete healing was achieved in 2 patients, with 1 patient demonstrating persistence of the fistula. Post-operative complications were observed in 11% of patients, with no deterioration in continence. The staged approach combining VAAFT, seton placement, and staged procedures offers a potential solution for treating CAF. VAAFT provides diagnostic and therapeutic benefits, simplifying the fistula anatomy and optimizing seton placement. The approach allows subsequent procedures based on individual fistula characteristics.
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