Cui, J.J., Wang, Z.J., Zheng, Y., Han, J.G. and Yang, X.Q. (2012) Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract plus Bioprosthetic Anal Fistula Plug (LIFT-Plug) in the Treatment of Transsphincteric Perianal Fistula. Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 15, 1232-1235.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Traject with Placement of a Prosthesis: A New Technique in the Treatment of Fistula-in-Ano at Yaounde Central Hospital (Cameroon)

  AUTHORS: Eric Patrick Savom, Georges Roger Bwelle Motto, Guy Aristide Bang, Joseph Cyrille Chopkeng, Ricardo Fomene Ngouanet, Ghislain Loïc Batimba Nolabia, Arthur Essomba

  KEYWORDS: High Anal Fistula, LIFT-Plug, Healing, Postoperative Complications, Recurrence

  JOURNAL NAME: Surgical Science, Vol.13 No.2, February 24, 2022

  ABSTRACT: Background: Ligation of the inter-sphincter fistula tract associated with anal plug (LIFT-Plug) is a new anal fistula treatment procedure at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. A two-sided prosthesis piece bent in the shape of a cone is used here as an anal plug. The aim of this work was to evaluate the therapeutic results and the safety of this device. Patients and Methods: The clinical data of patients operated by the LIFT-Plug technique from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 for a high anal fistula were analyzed prospectively. The variables evaluated were operative time, cure rate, postoperative complications and recurrence rate. Results: We included 28 patients with a mean age of 42 years. The sex ratio was 1.15. No patient presented preoperative continence disorder. The fistula was high trans-sphincteric in 89.3% of cases. The average duration of surgery was 55.2 minutes (45 to 66 minutes). The postoperative course was straightforward, although 60.7% of the patients had experienced tingling that resolved spontaneously. Three patients (10.7%) presented with transient gas incontinence (WIS of 4) which completely resolved after one month. All patients healed within a mean of 63.21 days (25 to 95 days). At the end of the 6-month follow-up, no case of recurrence had been recorded. Conclusion: The LIFT-Plug is a simple, safe and effective technique for the treatment of upper anal fistula without major impairment of continence despite delayed healing. The adapted two-sided prosthesis is a good alternative to the conventional anal plug.