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NCT Number: NCT07021742

BioHealx® Anal Fistula Device Post Market Surveillance Study

This post market surveillance study is a single arm multicenter study to demonstrate the long-term durability and effectiveness of the BioHealx Anal Fistula Device for fistula-in-ano closure (internal and external fistula openings).

Recruiting

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Key information

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

The Colorectal Institute, Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Loading trial locations.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 - 75 years
  • Presence of Single Continuous Anal Fistula presenting for initial curative surgery
  • Failed or Recurrent Anal Fistula Closure
  • Minimum of 6-weeks of draining seton placed prior to procedure.
  • Availability for follow-up contacts and willingness to complete the Informed Consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Fistula tract shorter than 2cm
  • Complex fistula tract (branching)
  • Body Mass Index > 35
  • Known uncontrolled diabetes or other systemic condition associated with impaired healing
  • Known HIV-positive or immunocompromised
  • Rectal prolapse
  • Pregnancy
  • Rectal / fistula malignancy
  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative proctitis
  • Hidradenitis suppurativa of the anal region
  • Pilonidal sinus disease
  • Presence of hemorrhoid Involving fistula site
  • Continuous use of anti-inflammatory
  • Intersphincteric fistula in ano or fistula treatable by simple fistulotomy
  • Active infection or abscess involving fistula site
  • Known allergy to PLGA material
  • Any severe acute or uncontrolled chronic disease that according to the investigator might render the patient unsuitable for the study
  • Treatment with an investigational drug or medical device in the past 30 days

Treatment and study plan

BioHealx

Device

Subjects will have their anal fistula treated with the BioHealx Anal Fistula Device, a bioabsorbable implant designed to securely close the fistula internal opening, preventing reinfection, while allowing for drainage through the external opening during healing.

Primary outcomes

  1. Successful Closure Repair

    Time frame: 12 Months

    Successful closure repair of the anal fistula as determined by complete healing, i.e., internal and external opening closed (no evidence of an external opening present) without drainage

  2. Non-Recurrence Incidence

    Time frame: 24 and 36 Months

    Non-recurrence incidence determined by continued closure of the external fistula opening.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life

    Time frame: 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    Fecal incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) score at each follow-up visit (baseline visit and from 6-month and at subsequent follow-up visit) The FIQL score includes 29 items which form four scales: lifestyle, coping/behavior, depression/self-perception, and embarrassment. The FIQL scale range includes a range of response options across its items, from 1 to 4 for most items, 1 to 5 for one item, and 1 to 6 for another. Lower scores indicate lower quality of life.

  2. Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI)

    Time frame: 6 Month, 9 Month, 12 Month, 24 Month, 36 Month

    Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) at each follow-up visit (baseline visit and from 6-month and at each subsequent follow-up visit).

    The Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) Scale typically ranges from 0 to a maximum value 61. Higher scores on the FISI scale indicate a worse outcome, reflecting greater severity of fecal incontinence symptoms.

  3. Health Related Quality of Life

    Time frame: 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    SF-36 Quality of life data will be collected (baseline visit and from 6-month and at each subsequent follow-up visit). Short Form 36 (SF-36) is a generic self-reported outcome measure that quantifies the quality of life in relation to health status. It is a 36-item valid and reliable evaluation with eight areas covering physical functioning, role limitations brought on by physical issues, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role limitations brought on by emotional issues, and perceived mental health. The SF-36 also contains a single question called "health transition" that measures how respondents feel their over health status has changed over the course of a year. The scores range from 0-100 (the worst possible to the most possible)

  4. Pain Score

    Time frame: 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    Wong-Baker FACES Pain scores will be recorded at each follow-up visit (baseline visit and from 6-month and at each subsequent follow-up visit). The FACES Pain Scale ranges from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain).

  5. Rescue Analgesic and Therapeutic Antibiotic Use

    Time frame: 6 Weeks, 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    Occurrence of use of rescue analgesic and/or therapeutic antibiotics beyond post-operative Day 5 after the surgery and at each follow-up visit.

Other outcomes

  1. Device and Procedure Related Adverse Events

    Time frame: 6 Weeks, 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    Measurement of device and/or procedure related adverse events will be recorded.

  2. Adverse Event Comparison

    Time frame: 6 Weeks, 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    Measurement of, incidence, severity and persistence of device and/or procedure related adverse events will be recorded and compared with previous BioHealx Anal Fistula Device clinical results and relevant comparator devices (e.g. cutting seton) and procedures (e.g., LIFT).

  3. Occurrence of Fecal Incontinence

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 Weeks, 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    Fecal continence will be measured through combination of the patient reported Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (FIQL) and the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index questionnaire (FISI) scores at baseline and subsequent periods.

    Fecal incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) score at each follow-up visit (baseline visit and from 6-month and at subsequent follow-up visit) The FIQL score includes 29 items which form four scales: lifestyle, coping/behavior, depression/self-perception, and embarrassment. The FIQL scale range includes a range of response options across its items, from 1 to 4 for most items, 1 to 5 for one item, and 1 to 6 for another. Lower scores indicate lower quality of life.

    The Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) Scale typically ranges from 0 to a maximum value 61. Higher scores on the FISI scale indicate a worse outcome, reflecting greater severity of fecal incontinence symptoms.

  4. Rescue Analgesic and Therapeutic Antibiotic Comparison

    Time frame: 6 Weeks, 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 24 Months, 36 Months

    Rescue analgesic and therapeutic antibiotic use will be recorded and compared with previous BioHealx Anal Fistula Device clinical results and other relevant fistula treatments.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Katy Feeny

CONTACT

[email protected]

610-860-6577

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Signum Surgical USA Inc.

Industry

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 15, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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