ReviewTechniques in coloproctology2025
Laser fistula treatment: beyond the controversial aspects: best clinical practice recommendations from an international group of surgeons with extensive experience in the procedure-the FiLaC recommendations.
Review 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 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis 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
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Pooled it
- Does the location of the internal opening matter? A long-term retrospective study of the efficacy of FiLaCBMC surgery · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
21 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFistula tract laser closure (FiLaC) represents a minimally invasive, sphincter-sparing technique for managing fistula in ano with increasing popularity among proctologists. Despite its increasing adoption, significant variations exist in the application of FiLaC in daily practice. PURPOSE: The aim of these recommendations was to define some basic principles and recommendations for performing a standard FiLaC procedure.
methodsThe recommendation development group (RDG) consisting of surgeons with experience in the FiLaC were invited to formulate recommendations for the procedure. The recommendations were generated following systematic literature research and discussion amongst experts (expert opinion) where no substantial literature was available. The developed recommendations were voted upon by a panelist via the Delphi process. Consensus was a priori defined as agreement of 75% and above.
resultsThe RDG developed 25 recommendations that were voted upon by 21 panelists from 13 nations. Consensus was reached for all 25 recommendations after the first Delphi round.
conclusionThe FiLaC RDG offers a comprehensive suite of recommendations to enhance the safety and efficacy of standard FiLaC procedures. These 25 detailed recommendations collectively address the full spectrum of FiLaC procedures-from laser settings, preoperative preparations, and perioperative strategies to postoperative care. This coherent framework is anticipated not only to standardize but also to refine the FiLaC technique to ensure best possible surgical outcomes while preserving patient safety.
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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.