Anshu Atreya1, Ankit Raikhy2, Srinivasa Rao Geddam3, Abhishekh Bhartia4, Vishnu Kumar Bhartia5
BACKGROUND
Fistula-in-ano or anal fistulas are documented since ancient times and their
management has always been a challenge. Various modalities of treatment are
available and newer ones are being added each day. The aim of this retrospective
study is to analyse the outcome of the video assisted anal fistula treatment
(VAAFT), one of the modalities of treatment for complex anal fistulas done at our
centre.
METHODS
Records of patients who had been treated through VAAFT by single senior
consultant surgeon of Minimal Access Surgery unit between April 2013 and March
2019, were collected and analysed.
RESULTS
Altogether, records of 48 (forty-eight) patients who had undergone VAAFT during
the period were analysed. Data revealed that 38 male (79.17 %) and 10 female
(20.83 %) patients with mean age of 49.96 ± 12.22 years were operated. Most
commonly, trans sphincteric followed by inter sphincteric type of fistulae were
encountered. In 3 cases, internal opening couldn’t be visualised. Six patients were
documented to have a recurrence within 6 months of the procedure and in the
rest were cured except in a small subset of patients who did not follow up.
CONCLUSIONS
Amongst the wide range of armamentarium available today for the treatment of
complex anal fistulas, video assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) is a novel
sphincter saving technique. The recurrence rate at our centre was at par with
other studies and with zero incontinence rate, however further RCTs are required.
