Video-assisted Anal Fistula Treatment Versus Seton in the Management of High Peri Anal Fistula

In seton treatment, initially Hydrogen peroxide will be applied to the external opening with a 10-cc syringe, and the internal opening will be located by direct visualization of the anal canal via proctoscope. A probe will be inserted into the external opening and carefully maneuvered through the internal opening. Silk 1/0 suture will be then tied to the tip of the probe, which will be then squeezed out of the external opening. The suture will be then tied around the sphincter and through fistula tract. Later, the seton will be tightened at four-week intervals under local anesthesia until the suture cut through the sphincter.

Patients assigned to the VAAFT group will receive the following procedure. The external opening will be widened with a probe, and a fistulascope will be inserted to delineate the primary and secondary tracts and locate the internal opening. The internal opening will be then stitched with Vicryl™ (Polyglactin 910) 2-0 suture through the anal route with the help of a proctoscope. The tract of the fistula will be washed and debrided through the scope and cauterized. Finally, the external opening will be excised and will be sent for biopsy.