Clinical Research Directory

Seton Re-routing for High Perianal Fistula

High perianal fistulae involve a significant portion of the external anal sphincter muscle, making standard surgical fistulotomy risky due to the potential for postoperative fecal incontinence. Sphincter-preserving techniques aim to eradicate the fistula tract and promote healing while safeguarding anal continence. The purpose of this prospective, single-arm clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two-stage seton re-routing technique in adult patients diagnosed with high perianal fistula at Assiut University Hospital. The procedure is conducted in two stages: * First Stage: Identification and curettage of the fistula tract followed by placement of a loose draining seton to clear local sepsis and allow fibrous maturation over an interval of 6 to 12 weeks. * Second Stage: Creation of a low submucosal or intersphincteric tunnel beneath the main external anal sphincter complex. The seton is unthreaded and re-routed through this lower pathway, isolating the upper transsphincteric tract so it can heal spontaneously by secondary fibrosis. The resulting downstaged superficial tract is then laid open (low fistulotomy) or managed with staged seton tightening. Participants will be monitored weekly during the first month, followed by regular monthly follow-up visits for a minimum of 6 to 9 months postoperatively. The study assesses complete fistula healing, recurrence rates, healing time, operative duration, postoperative complications, and anal continence status evaluated using the Cleveland Clinic (Wexner) Incontinence Score preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery.

Open Fistulectomy vs. Laser Closure for Low Perianal Fistula

Perianal fistula is an abnormal tunnel connecting the anal canal to the perianal skin, frequently causing chronic pain, discharge, and impaired quality of life. Traditional open fistulectomy is an established treatment with high healing rates, but it leaves an open wound that requires prolonged recovery and carries a risk of anal sphincter injury. Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC) is a minimally invasive, sphincter-preserving technique that uses laser thermal energy to close the tract from within while minimizing tissue trauma. This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the efficacy and safety of open fistulectomy versus laser fistulotomy in adult patients with primary low perianal fistula. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two surgical treatment groups: * Group 1: Laser fistulotomy (FiLaC) using a 1470 nm diode laser probe to seal the tract, combined with internal opening closure. * Group 2: Conventional open fistulectomy involving complete excision of the fistula tract, allowing the wound to heal by secondary intention. Patients are evaluated during surgery and followed postoperatively at 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary goals are to assess fistula healing rates and postoperative pain levels. Secondary goals include evaluating operative time, intraoperative blood loss, wound healing duration, complication rates, time to return to daily activities, fecal continence (measured by the Wexner Continence Score), and quality of life.