MedPath

Ethibond Suture vs Vessel Loop as Draining Seton for Complex Anal Fistulas

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Anal Fistula
Interventions
Procedure: Vessel loop
Procedure: Ethibond suture
Registration Number
NCT05933343
Lead Sponsor
The Cleveland Clinic
Brief Summary

Drainage seton is usually placed for long-term control of symptoms, and hence it has to be effective in drainage of infection, durable, and comfortable to the patients. The present study assumes that different seton materials would attain different drainage capacities, variable durability and impact on QoL. Therefore, the study aims to compare two commonly used seton materials; Ethibond suture and vessel loop, in the management of CAF in terms of effectiveness in draining infection, percent of seton break and its timing, and change in patients' QoL as measured by a validated questionnaire.

Detailed Description

The use of seton as a surgical therapy for fistulous disease has been first described by Hippocrates in 430 BCE. Since then several authors have used either cutting or drainage seton to treat CAF. Different materials have been used as seton, including sutures, stainless steel wires, catheters, cables, silicone, and rubber bands. While the main aim of a drainage seton is to simply drain sepsis and control symptoms in the long term, cutting setons are mainly used for eradiation of the fistula pathology by cutting through the fistula tract and anal sphincter muscles, yet at the cost of an increased risk of fecal incontinence (FI).

As the purpose of a drainage seton is to provide long-term, durable drainage of perineal sepsis and control of symptoms, namely discharge, the seton material can have an impact on its function and durability. A review of the variations in seton types and materials showed that the success rates of suture seton (silk, prolene or nylon suture) are higher than those of Penrose drains and catheters. However, there is a paucity of data on the impact of the seton material on the durability of seton and quality of life (QoL)

Drainage seton is usually placed for long-term control of symptoms, and hence it has to be effective in drainage of infection, durable, and comfortable to the patients. The present study assumes that different seton materials would attain different drainage capacities, variable durability, and impact on QoL. Therefore, the study aims to compare two commonly used seton materials; Ethibond suture and vessel loop, in the management of CAF in terms of effectiveness in draining infection, percent of seton break and its timing, and change in patients' QoL as measured by a validated questionnaire.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
140
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult patients aged 18 years or older of either sex who present with CAF will be included. Both cryptoglandular fistulas and fistulas secondary to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Simple anal fistulas
  • Fistulas secondary to malignancy or irradiation therapy
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with pre-existing setons

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Vessel loopVessel loopPatients with complex anal fistula will undergo placement of vessel loop as a drainage seton
Ethibond sutureEthibond suturePatients with complex anal fistula will undergo placement of Ethibond™ 1 suture as a drainage seton
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Durabilitywithin 12 months

Incidence and timing of seton break/fall

Drainage of perianal sepsis3 and 12 months

Change in the perianal disease activity index

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of life score3 and 12 months

Change in the anal fistula quality of life score which ranges from 14 to 70 and higher values imply greater impact on quality of life

Healing12 months

Complete healing of the anal fistula evidenced by absence of external opening and discharge

Continence state12 months

Change in the Wexner incontinence score which ranges from 0 to 20 and higher values imply more severe fecal incontinence

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cleveland Clinic Florida

🇺🇸

Weston, Florida, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath