Fistulotomy or seton in anal fistula: a decisional algorithm

Fistula in ano is a common proctological disease. Several authors stated that internal and external anal sphincters preservation is in the interest of continence maintenance. The aim of the present study is to report our experience using a decisional algorithm on sphincter saving procedures that achieved us to obtain good results with low rate of complications. From 2008 to 2011, 206 patients underwent surgical treatment for anal fistula; 28 patients underwent perianal abscess drainage plus seton placement of trans-sphincteric or supra-sphincteric fistula (13.6 %), 41 patients underwent fistulotomy for submucosal or low inter-sphincteric or low trans-sphincteric anal fistula (19.9 %) and 137 patients underwent partial fistulectomy or partial fistulotomy (from cutaneous plan to external sphincter muscle plan) and cutting seton placement without internal sphincterotomy for trans-sphincteric anal fistula (66.50 %). Healing rates have been of 100 % and healing times ranged from 1 to 6 months in 97 % of patients treated by setons. Transient fecal soiling was reported by 19 patients affected by trans-sphincteric fistula (11.5 %) for 4–6 months and then disappeared or evolved in a milder form of flatus occasional incontinence. No major incontinence has been reported also after fistulotomy. Fistula recurred in five cases of trans-sphincteric fistula treated by seton placement (one with abscess) (1/28) (3.5 %) and four with trans-sphincteric fistula (4/137) (3 %). Our algorithm permitted us to reduce to 20 % sphincter cutting procedures without reporting postoperative major anal incontinence; it seems to open an interesting way in the treatment of anal fistula.