LIFT Technique Versus Seton in Management of Anal Fistula

Abscesses and anal fistulas represent about 70% of perianal suppuration, with an estimated incidence of 1/10,000 inhabitants per year and representing 5% of queries in coloproctology. Anal fistula is the chronic phase of anorectal infection is characterized by chronic purulent drainage or cyclic pain associated with acute relapse of the abscess followed by intermittent spontaneous decompression. Perianal fistulas have a troublesome pathology. The most widely accepted theory is that anal abscess is caused by infection of an anal crypt gland. Suppuration moves from the anal gland to the inter-sphincteric space, forming an abscess leading to the development of a fistula. The incidence of fistula following an abscess is nearly 33%. A fistula can cause pain, perianal swelling, discharge, bleeding, and other nonspecific symptoms. The diagnosis of fistula-in-ano may include a digital rectal examination, endoanal ultrasound, fistulography, and MRI. The management of the disease is difficult and sometimes a challenge for the surgeon. The ideal treatment is based on three central principles: control of sepsis, closure of the fistula and maintenance of continence. The management of complex fistulas needs to balance the outcomes of cure and continence. Success is usually determined by identification of the primary opening and dividing the least amount of muscle as possible. There is a risk of sphincter muscle damage during fistulotomy, which can lead to an unacceptable risk of anal incontinence of varying degrees. The surgical techniques described for the treatment of fistula-in-ano are fistulotomy, core-out fistulectomy, seton placement, endorectal advancement flap, injection of fibrin glue, insertion of a fistula plug, video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) and ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT), Surgical techniques are composed of 2 broad categories, including sphincter sacrificing procedures, such as, fistulotomy, fistulectomy and cutting