Seton Re-routing for High Perianal Fistula
Seton Re-routing for Treatment of High Perianal Fistula
High perianal fistulae involve a significant portion of the external anal sphincter muscle, making standard surgical fistulotomy risky due to the potential for postoperative fecal incontinence. Sphincter-preserving techniques aim to eradicate the fistula tract and promote healing while safeguarding anal continence.
The purpose of this prospective, single-arm clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two-stage seton re-routing technique in adult patients diagnosed with high perianal fistula at Assiut University Hospital.
The procedure is conducted in two stages:
- First Stage: Identification and curettage of the fistula tract followed by placement of a loose draining seton to clear local sepsis and allow fibrous maturation over an interval of 6 to 12 weeks.
- Second Stage: Creation of a low submucosal or intersphincteric tunnel beneath the main external anal sphincter complex. The seton is unthreaded and re-routed through this lower pathway, isolating the upper transsphincteric tract so it can heal spontaneously by secondary fibrosis. The resulting downstaged superficial tract is then laid open (low fistulotomy) or managed with staged seton tightening.
Participants will be monitored weekly during the first month, followed by regular monthly follow-up visits for a minimum of 6 to 9 months postoperatively. The study assesses complete fistula healing, recurrence rates, healing time, operative duration, postoperative complications, and anal continence status evaluated using the Cleveland Clinic (Wexner) Incontinence Score preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Phase
- Not Applicable
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Genders Eligible for Study
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 years or older, of either sex.
- Diagnosed with high perianal fistula (fistula tract involving the upper two-thirds of the external anal sphincter).
- De novo or recurrent perianal fistula.
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I or II.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Fistula secondary to inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), malignancy, tuberculosis, trauma, or prior pelvic irradiation.
- Pre-existing fecal incontinence.
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or immunosuppressive conditions impairing wound healing.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
- Primary Purpose: Treatment
- Allocation: N/A
- Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
- Masking: None (Open Label)
Arms and Interventions
Participant Group / Arm |
Intervention / Treatment |
|---|---|
|
Experimental: Two-Stage Seton Re-routing
Participants undergo a two-stage seton re-routing procedure: (1) Stage 1: Under spinal or general anesthesia, identification and curettage of the tract followed by loose draining seton placement through the high fistula tract for 6-12 weeks to control sepsis and allow fibrotic maturation. (2) Stage 2: An incision is made in the intersphincteric plane beneath the main external anal sphincter body to create a low submucosal or intersphincteric tunnel toward the dentate line. The seton is untied and re-routed through this low pathway, isolating the high transsphincteric component to heal by secondary fibrosis. The resulting downstaged low superficial tract is either laid open immediately (low fistulotomy) or managed with staged seton tightening. |
A two-stage sphincter-sparing surgical procedure: Stage 1: Under spinal or general anesthesia, identification and curettage of the tract, followed by placement of a loose draining seton through the high fistula tract for 6 to 12 weeks to control local sepsis and promote fibrotic maturation. Stage 2: An incision is made in the intersphincteric plane beneath the main external anal sphincter body to create a low submucosal or intersphincteric tunnel toward the dentate line. The seton is untied and re-routed through this lower pathway, isolating the high transsphincteric component to heal spontaneously by secondary fibrosis. The resulting downstaged low tract is either laid open immediately (low fistulotomy) or managed by staged seton tightening. |
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Number of Participants With Complete Fistula Healing
Time Frame: 9 months
|
Complete fistula healing is defined as complete epithelialization and closure of both external and internal openings, with absence of discharge, pain, and induration on clinical examination. |
9 months
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Sponsor
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Estimated)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Keywords
Additional Relevant MeSH Terms
Other Study ID Numbers
- Seton Re-routing for Fistula
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
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