Fistulotomy Versus Fistulotomy With Marsupialization of Wound Edges in Simple Perianal Fistula, a Comparative Clinical Trial

This randomized controlled trial was carried in the period between May 2018 and April 2019, on 70 patients undergoing fistulotomy for treatment of simple perianal fistula. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups each 35 patients, group A; underwent fistulotomy without marsupialization of the edges of fistulotomy wound. And group B; underwent fistulotomy with marsupialization of the wound edges.

Patients included in this study are those suffering simple non recurrent perianal fistula with ASA I and II.

the investigator excluded patients with secondary anal fistula, complex fistula, anal incontinence, previous anal surgery and any disease or drug that affects wound healing.

All patients were subjected to thorough history taking and careful anal examination to assess the sphincter integrity, define the fistulous track and internal opening, endo anal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging was ordered when needed.

Fistulotomy was done under spinal anesthesia in the lithotomy position after skin preparation and patient draping; anal examination under anesthesia was done, identification of the internal opening carried out using palpation and inspection using proctoscope, injection of hydrogen peroxide in the external opening done if internal opening couldn't be defined easily, then the fistulous track was probed, it was laid open using diathermy, in group B the wounds was marsupialized by suturing the skin edges to the edges of the track floor using absorbable sutures (polygalactin) 3\0. Figures (1) and (2) shows the probed fistulous track and its' wound after marsupialization.