PMID- 22076690
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 20120424
LR  - 20211021
IS  - 1128-045X (Electronic)
IS  - 1123-6337 (Linking)
VI  - 15
IP  - 4
DP  - 2011 Dec
TI  - Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) to treat anal fistula: 
      early results from a prospective observational study.
PG  - 413-6
LID - 10.1007/s10151-011-0779-0 [doi]
AB  - BACKGROUND: Ligation of the intersphincteric tract (LIFT), a novel 
      sphincter-saving technique, has been recently described with promising results. 
      Literature data are still scant. In this prospective observational study, we 
      present our experience with this technique. METHODS: Between October 2010 and 
      April 2011, 18 patients with 'complex' fistulas underwent LIFT. All patients were 
      enrolled in the study after a physical examination including digital examination 
      and proctoscopy. For the purpose of this pilot study, fistulas were classified as 
      complex if any of the following conditions were present: tract crossing more than 
      30% of the external sphincter, anterior fistula in a woman, recurrent fistula or 
      pre-existing incontinence. Endpoints were healing time, presence of recurrence, 
      faecal incontinence and surgical complications. RESULTS: Ten patients were men 
      and 8 were women; mean age was 39 years; minimum follow-up was 4 months. Three 
      patients required drainage seton insertion and delayed LIFT. After LIFT, 1 
      patient experienced haemorrhoidal thrombosis. At the end of the follow-up, 15 
      patients (83%) healed with no recurrence. Three patients had persistent symptoms 
      and required further surgical treatment. We did not observe postoperative 
      worsening of continence. CONCLUSIONS: Results from our pilot study indicate that 
      this novel sphincter-saving approach is effective and safe for treating complex 
      anal fistula.
FAU - Sileri, P
AU  - Sileri P
AD  - Department of Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, 
      Chirurgia Generale (6B), Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy. piersileri@yahoo.com
FAU - Franceschilli, L
AU  - Franceschilli L
FAU - Angelucci, G P
AU  - Angelucci GP
FAU - D'Ugo, S
AU  - D'Ugo S
FAU - Milito, G
AU  - Milito G
FAU - Cadeddu, F
AU  - Cadeddu F
FAU - Selvaggio, I
AU  - Selvaggio I
FAU - Lazzaro, S
AU  - Lazzaro S
FAU - Gaspari, A L
AU  - Gaspari AL
LA  - eng
PT  - Comparative Study
PT  - Journal Article
DEP - 20111111
PL  - Italy
TA  - Tech Coloproctol
JT  - Techniques in coloproctology
JID - 9613614
SB  - IM
MH  - Adolescent
MH  - Adult
MH  - Anal Canal/*surgery
MH  - Child
MH  - Child, Preschool
MH  - Female
MH  - Follow-Up Studies
MH  - Humans
MH  - Ligation/methods
MH  - Male
MH  - Middle Aged
MH  - Pilot Projects
MH  - Proctoscopy
MH  - Prospective Studies
MH  - Rectal Fistula/diagnosis/*surgery
MH  - Secondary Prevention
MH  - Suture Techniques
MH  - Time Factors
MH  - Treatment Outcome
MH  - Young Adult
EDAT- 2011/11/15 06:00
MHDA- 2012/04/25 06:00
CRDT- 2011/11/15 06:00
PHST- 2011/06/29 00:00 [received]
PHST- 2011/10/09 00:00 [accepted]
PHST- 2011/11/15 06:00 [entrez]
PHST- 2011/11/15 06:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 2012/04/25 06:00 [medline]
AID - 10.1007/s10151-011-0779-0 [doi]
PST - ppublish
SO  - Tech Coloproctol. 2011 Dec;15(4):413-6. doi: 10.1007/s10151-011-0779-0. Epub 2011 
      Nov 11.