Laser Ablation Versus Conventional Fistulectomy for Uncomplicated Perianal Fistula

June 26, 2026 updated by: Fahad Raza Ansari, PNS Hafeez - Naval Hospital

Comparison Between Conventional Surgery and Laser Ablation for Uncomplicated Perianal Fistula

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare conventional open fistulectomy and laser ablation in the treatment of uncomplicated perianal fistula. The study will evaluate postoperative recovery time and recurrence rates between the two procedures. A total of 72 patients with uncomplicated perianal fistula will be randomly assigned to either conventional open fistulectomy or laser ablation and followed for six months after surgery.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Perianal fistula is a common anorectal condition that usually requires surgical treatment. Conventional open fistulectomy has been widely used because of its established effectiveness; however, it may be associated with prolonged recovery. Laser-assisted anal fistula surgery is a newer minimally invasive technique that may offer faster postoperative recovery and less tissue damage.

Published studies have reported conflicting results regarding the superiority of either technique in terms of postoperative recovery and recurrence. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial is being conducted to compare conventional open fistulectomy and laser ablation in patients with uncomplicated perianal fistula.

The study will be conducted at the Department of Surgery, PNS Hafeez Hospital, Islamabad. Seventy-two patients aged 18 to 55 years with uncomplicated perianal fistula will be enrolled and randomized in a 1:1 ratio by paper lottery method into two groups. Group C will undergo conventional open fistulectomy, and Group L will undergo laser-assisted anal fistula surgery.

The primary outcome measures are postoperative recovery time and recurrence of perianal fistula within six months after surgery. Patients will be followed at two weeks and six months postoperatively. The findings of this study may help determine the optimal surgical approach for uncomplicated perianal fistula.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

72

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
      • Islamabad, Pakistan, 44400
        • PNS Hafeez Naval Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 to 55 years.
  • Male and female patients.
  • Scheduled for surgical treatment of uncomplicated perianal fistula.
  • Single fistula tract.
  • Less than 30% involvement of the external anal sphincter.
  • Penetration of tract limited to subcutaneous tissue.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Recurrent fistula.
  • Complex fistula.
  • History of gut malignancy.
  • History of inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Patients unfit for anesthesia.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Laser Ablation
Patients will undergo laser-assisted anal fistula surgery according to institutional protocol.
Procedure: Laser ablation
Laser-assisted anal fistula surgery for uncomplicated perianal fistula.
Procedure: Conventional Open Fistulectomy
Conventional open fistulectomy for uncomplicated perianal fistula.
Active Comparator: Conventional Open Fistulectomy
Patients will undergo conventional open fistulectomy according to institutional protocol.
Procedure: Laser ablation
Laser-assisted anal fistula surgery for uncomplicated perianal fistula.
Procedure: Conventional Open Fistulectomy
Conventional open fistulectomy for uncomplicated perianal fistula.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Post operative recovery time
Time Frame: 2 weeks after surgery
Time from the end of surgery until return to work with no residual anal pain and no bleeding or discharge.
2 weeks after surgery
Recurrance of perianal fistula
Time Frame: 6 months after surgery
Reappearance of perianal fistula after surgery.
6 months after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

PNS Hafeez - Naval Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 26, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 26, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 26, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 491/28 dated 10 July 2025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

IPD Plan Description

The investigators have not yet determined whether de-identified individual participant data will be shared with other researchers. Any future data sharing will be subject to institutional policies, ethical approval, and participant confidentiality requirements.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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