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World J Gastrointest Surg. Feb 27, 2026; 18(2): 113979
Published online Feb 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i2.113979
Published online Feb 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i2.113979
Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract vs conventional surgery for anal fistula in Chinese patients
Xue Li, Xiao-Long Wang, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100105, China
Xue Li, Cong-Cong Zhi, Xiao-Long Wang, Li-Hua Zheng, Yi-Cheng Cheng, Department of Proctology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
Co-first authors: Xue Li and Cong-Cong Zhi.
Co-corresponding authors: Li-Hua Zheng and Yi-Cheng Cheng.
Author contributions: Li X and Zhi CC drafted the manuscript and they contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-first authors; Li X and Wang XL participated in study design; Li X conceived the study; Zhi CC acquired data and executed the research; Wang XL revised the manuscript; Zheng LH provided overall supervision, quality control, and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content; Cheng YC performed the statistical analysis and contributed to data interpretation and writing; Zheng LH and Cheng YC contributed equally to this manuscript and are co-corresponding authors. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by the Clinical Research and Translational Promotion Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2022-NHLHCRF-LX-02.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Li-Hua Zheng, Department of Proctology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 11 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China.
Received: September 10, 2025
Revised: October 26, 2025
Accepted: December 10, 2025
Published online: February 27, 2026
Processing time: 169 Days and 19.2 Hours
Revised: October 26, 2025
Accepted: December 10, 2025
Published online: February 27, 2026
Processing time: 169 Days and 19.2 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract offers a sphincter-preserving alternative to conventional surgery for anal fistula. This systematic review of randomized controlled trials demonstrates that the procedure improves cure rates, reduces recurrence and complications, shortens wound-healing time, and better preserves anal function. These findings highlight its potential as a preferred treatment option and provide strong evidence for clinical decision-making.