©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2015; 21(1): 12-20
Published online Jan 7, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i1.12
Published online Jan 7, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i1.12
Modern management of anal fistula
Elsa Limura, Pasquale Giordano, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Whipps Cross Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E11 1NR, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Limura E acquisition of data, management of the database, data analysis and interpretation, drafting and revising; Giordano P conception and design, drafting and revising.
Correspondence to: Pasquale Giordano, MD FRCS, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Whipps Cross Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, Whipps Cross road, London E11 1NR, United Kingdom. p.giordano@londoncolorectal.org
Telephone: +44-20-85356656 Fax: +44-20-85356656
Received: August 11, 2014
Peer-review started: August 11, 2014
First decision: August 27, 2014
Revised: October 6, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Article in press: November 11, 2014
Published online: January 7, 2015
Processing time: 178 Days and 10.1 Hours
Peer-review started: August 11, 2014
First decision: August 27, 2014
Revised: October 6, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Article in press: November 11, 2014
Published online: January 7, 2015
Processing time: 178 Days and 10.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: We present a review with a critical appraisal on the modern procedures for anal fistula which aims to the common goal of minimising the injury to the anal sphincters whilst preserving optimal function. We found the following ones as the most representative: Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract, anal fistula plug derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa and the new designed GORE BioA® plug, fibrin glue, fistula laser closure, video-assisted anal fistula treatment and adipose-derived stem cells. We examined the advantages and drawbacks for each procedure through the outcomes reported in literature.