Anal Fistulae Internal Opening Closure by OTSC Clip After Video Assisted Tract Fulguration

Sphincter damage after anal fistulae surgery is the most important cause of incontinence in adults. Surgeons are gradually gradually getting more reluctant for creating any damage to sphincter for this reason. Anteriorly located, high and trans-sphincteric fistulae are at more risk.

Ablating the fistula tract by laser or diathermy has been in use for a long time. Recently a rigid thin camera to visualize all side tracts and branches for ablating them under direct vision has also been in use especially in Europe. Recently, closing the internal opening after ablating the fistula tract was reported to offer higher success rates for healing with less recurrence. The success rate was higher when the opening was closed by a stapler device.

Our aim in this study is to use o novel technique by using OTSC clip for water tight closure of the internal fistula opening after diathermy ablation of the tract under direct vision and compare the healing and recurrence rates with other methods.