Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40346397›Full record

ArticleTechniques in coloproctology2025

Mid- and long-term functional outcomes of advancement flap for cryptoglandular perianal fistulas.

J Y van Oostendorp, A Eddarazi, C B H Molenaar, D D E Zimmerman, W A Bemelman, I J M Han-Geurts

Abstract read
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Article in Techniques in coloproctology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

J Y van OostendorpDepartment of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.oostendorp@amsterdamumc.nl.ORCID 0000-0002-2835-3997
A EddaraziDepartment of Surgery, Proctos Kliniek, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
C B H MolenaarDepartment of Surgery, Proctos Kliniek, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
D D E ZimmermanDepartment of Surgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis, Tilburg, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-0393-9350
W A BemelmanDepartment of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-1037-9945
I J M Han-GeurtsDepartment of Surgery, Proctos Kliniek, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-5058-0574

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSurgical treatment for perianal fistulas requires balancing fistula closure with the risk of complications such as incontinence. The advancement flap (AF) is a widely used sphincter-sparing technique, yet it appears to offer only marginally better outcomes compared to alternative techniques, with a notable incontinence rate. This study aimed to evaluate the success rate and long-term functional outcomes of AF at our tertiary referral center.

methodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed prospectively collected data from electronic medical records and questionnaires distributed in December 2023. Patients aged 18 or older with primary or recurrent perianal fistulas treated with AF between 2013 and 2023 were included. Fistulas of non-cryptoglandular origin and rectovaginal fistulas were excluded. The primary outcome was fecal incontinence. Secondary outcomes included disease burden, fistula closure, and risk factors for recurrence.

resultsEighty-one patients were included; 37 (46%) were women, mean age was 45 years, and 93% had a complex fistula. The median follow-up was 27 months (IQR 15.5-64). Before AF, 36% reported some degree of incontinence, increasing to 80% at long-term follow-up after AF. Specifically, 20 out of 26 (77%) preoperative fully continent patients reported incontinence issues at long-term follow-up. Fistula disease impact on daily life was higher for those who failed AF repair. Primary fistula closure was achieved in 35 patients (43%). No risk factors for AF failure could be identified.

conclusionsAdvancement flap repair of perianal fistulas is challenging and can lead to fecal incontinence, so thorough preoperative counseling, consistent long-term follow-up, and further research comparing alternative sphincter-sparing techniques are warranted.

Indexed as

Fecal IncontinencePostoperative ComplicationsRectal FistulaSurgical FlapsAdultAnal CanalFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRecurrenceRetrospective StudiesTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeAdvancement flapIncontinencePerianal FistulaQuality of lifeRecurrenceRisk factors

Identifiers

PMID40346397
PMCPMC12064625

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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.