Tao, Y., Zheng, Y., Gang Han, J., Wang, Z.J., Cui, J.J., Zhao, B.C., et al. (2020) Long-Term Clinical Results of Use of an Anal Fistula Plug for Treatment of Low Trans-Sphincteric Anal Fistulas. Medical Science Monitor, 26, e928181.
https://doi.org/10.12659/MSM.928181

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.