Marsupialization of Anal Fistulotomy Wound Accelerates Healing and Decreases Post Operative Pain

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.

Postoperative non adherent dressing impregnated with local anesthetic cream was applied to the wound.

Nonsteroidal analgesic injection was given in injection form as per need. Follow up was carried out in outpatient clinic by the study surgeons, patients who agreed for participation in the study was instructed to visit the clinic every week for the first three post-operative months then every month for the next 3 months and lastly two visits after 3 and 6 months, the attending surgeon records follow up data including status of wound healing, anal continence and fistula recurrence.

An informed written consent was taken from all study participants. Randomization was done using computer program. The study was approved from institutional review board and the ethical committee from our university.

Demographic data, operative data, and postoperative data including pain, post-operative complications and time taken for complete wound healing were collected, properly analyzed using the paired t test and Z test using SPSS program.

Inclusion criteria

• Simple non recurrent perianal fistula with ASA I and II.

Exclusion criteria

• secondary anal fistula,
• complex fistula,
• anal incontinence,
• previous anal surgery
• Any disease or drug that affects wound healing.