S3-Leitlinie: Kryptoglanduläre Analfisteln

Surgical technique: an improvisation in application of the technique of core-cut fistulectomy for fistula-in-ano

Cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano is a chronic inflammatory condition of the perianal region attributed to the obstruction of the glands, located chiefly at the dentate line and their subsequent infection. Anal fistulae are difficult to treat, and minimally invasive procedures are evolving with promises. We present an improvised application of core-cut technique of fistulectomy. It is a minimally invasive, simple, effective and easy to perform procedure with minimal risk of incontinence and recurrence in simple cryptoglandular fistulae-in-ano. We performed 47 cases with good results and present this procedure to emphasize the procedural modification used.

German S3 guidelines: anal abscess and fistula (second revised version)

BACKGROUND

The incidence of anal abscess and fistula is relatively high, and the condition is most common in young men.

METHODS

This is a revised version of the German S3 guidelines first published in 2011. It is based on a systematic review of pertinent literature.

RESULTS

Cryptoglandular abscesses and fistulas usually originate in the proctodeal glands of the intersphincteric space. Classification depends on their relation to the anal sphincter. Patient history and clinical examination are diagnostically sufficient in order to establish the indication for surgery. Further examinations (endosonography, MRI) should be considered in complex abscesses or fistulas. The goal of surgery for an abscess is thorough drainage of the focus of infection while preserving the sphincter muscles. The risk of abscess recurrence or secondary fistula formation is low overall. However, they may result from insufficient drainage. Primary fistulotomy should only be performed in case of superficial fistulas. Moreover, it should be done by experienced surgeons. In case of unclear findings or high fistulas, repair should take place in a second procedure. Anal fistulas can be treated only by surgical intervention with one of the following operations: laying open, seton drainage, plastic surgical reconstruction with suturing of the sphincter (flap, sphincter repair, LIFT), and occlusion with biomaterials. Only superficial fistulas should be laid open. The risk of postoperative incontinence is directly related to the thickness of the sphincter muscle that is divided. All high anal fistulas should be treated with a sphincter-saving procedure. The various plastic surgical reconstructive procedures all yield roughly the same results. Occlusion with biomaterial results in lower cure rate.

CONCLUSION

In this revision of the German S3 guidelines, instructions for diagnosis and treatment of anal abscess and fistula are described based on a review of current literature.

[Management of complications of fissure and fistula surgery]

BACKGROUND

Fistula-in-ano and anal fissures are common proctological diseases. In most cases of anal fissures conservative treatment provides good clinical results, whereas for fistula-in-ano operative treatment is the only option.

OBJECTIVE

The most important and for the patient most stressful long-term complication is postoperative incontinence, especially as the deliberate severance of the anal sphincter musculature is part of the treatment for many patients. In this article the causes and treatment options are discussed.

RESULTS

The therapy of choice for patients with persisting symptoms caused by an anal fissure is fissurectomy. Incontinence disorders develop due to severance of parts of the internal sphincter or resection of the anoderm. In patients with anal fistulas the occurrence of incontinence disorders depends on the anatomical relationship of the fistula to the sphincter, the surgical procedure and also on pre-existing damage, e.g. from childbirth or other sphincter trauma and scar formation, notably in patients with multiple surgical interventions. Severance of the sphincter muscles in proximal transsphincteric and suprasphincteric fistulas in particular bears a high risk of postoperative incontinence. Data from the literature regarding postoperative fecal incontinence vary enormously due to different follow-up intervals and also variable definitions of the term fecal incontinence.

CONCLUSION

Options for the treatment of postoperative fecal incontinence are limited. Treatment of postoperative incontinence should first be conservative. Surgical repair of damaged sphincter muscles is often of limited success and sacral nerve stimulation might be an option in selected patients. Especially in patients with fissure-in-ano the indications for surgery should be strictly adhered to. For fistula-in-ano the least invasive and most sphincter-preserving procedure should be selected.

[Perianal fistula and anal fissure]

CRYPTOGLANDULAR ANAL FISTULA: Perianal abscesses are caused by cryptoglandular infections. Not every abscess will end in a fistula. The formation of a fistula is determined by the anatomy of the anal sphincter and perianal fistulas will not heal on their own. The therapy of a fistula is oriented between a more aggressive approach (operation) and a conservative treatment with fibrin glue or a plug. Definitive healing and the development of incontinence are the most important key points. ANAL FISSURES: Acute anal fissures should be treated conservatively by topical ointments, consisting of nitrates, calcium channel blockers and if all else fails by botulinum toxin. Treatment of chronic fissures will start conservatively but operative options are necessary in many cases. Operation of first choice is fissurectomy, including excision of fibrotic margins, curettage of the base and excision of the sentinel pile and anal polyps. Lateral internal sphincterotomy is associated with a certain degree of incontinence and needs critical long-term observation.

[Anorectal diagnostics for proctological diseases]

The majority of proctological diseases can be defined by a structured evaluation of the symptoms and a physical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anal endosonography can detect complex anal fistulas with a high accuracy but MRI should be preferred because of its objective visualization. Functional anorectal disorders are multifactorial and show morphological and functional irregularities in different compartments of the pelvic floor which is why MR defecography is now one of the most important methods in diagnostic algorithms. Interpreting the results of anal endosonography, anal manometry and neurophysiological testing is highly demanding because of large interindividual variability. Scores are used for objective measurement of symptom severity and quality of life. In clinical practice, well validated scores evaluated in large patient groups with predetermined circumstances are needed. Bringing together morphological results with scores based on subjective perception is required to optimize diagnostics and therapy evaluation in proctology.

German S3 guideline: anal abscess

BACKGROUND

The incidence of anal abscess is relatively high, and the condition is most common in young men.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken.

RESULTS

This abscess usually originates in the proctodeal glands of the intersphincteric space. A distinction is made between subanodermal, intersphincteric, ischioanal, and supralevator abscesses. The patient history and clinical examination are diagnostically sufficient to establish the indication for surgery. Further examinations (endosonography, MRI) should be considered in recurrent abscesses or supralevator abscesses. The timing of the surgical intervention is primarily determined by the patient's symptoms, and acute abscess is generally an indication for emergency treatment. Anal abscesses are treated surgically. The type of access (transrectal or perianal) depends on the abscess location. The goal of surgery is thorough drainage of the focus of infection while preserving the sphincter muscles. The wound should be rinsed regularly (using tap water). The use of local antiseptics is associated with a risk of cytotoxicity. Antibiotic treatment is only necessary in exceptional cases. Intraoperative fistula exploration should be conducted with extreme care if at all; no requirement to detect fistula should be imposed. The risk of abscess recurrence or secondary fistula formation is low overall, but they can result from insufficient drainage. Primary fistulotomy should only be performed in case of superficial fistulas and by experienced surgeons. In case of unclear findings or high fistulas, repair should take place in a second procedure.

CONCLUSION

In this clinical S3 guideline, instructions for diagnosis and treatment of anal abscess are described for the first time in Germany.