Anal fistula can be a challenging condition to manage, with complex fistulas presenting even greater difficulties. The primary concerns in treating this condition are a risk of damage to the anal sphincters, which can compromise fecal continence, and refractoriness to treatment, as evidenced by a high recurrence rate. Furthermore, the treatment of complex anal fistula involves several additional challenges. Satisfactory solutions to many of these obstacles remain elusive, and no consensus has been established regarding the available treatment options. In summary, complex anal fistula has no established gold-standard treatment, and the quest for effective therapies continues. This review discusses and highlights groundbreaking advances in the management of complex anal fistula over the past decade.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Understanding the anatomical basis of anorectal fistulas and their surgical management: exploring different types for enhanced precision and safety Asim M. Almughamsi, Yasir Hassan Elhassan Surgery Today.2025; 55(4): 457. CrossRef
Mucosal advancement flap versus ligation of the inter-sphincteric fistula tract for management of trans-sphincteric perianal fistulas in the elderly: a retrospective study Tamer A. A. M. Habeeb, Massimo Chiaretti, Igor A. Kryvoruchko, Antonio Pesce, Aristotelis Kechagias, Abd Al-Kareem Elias, Abdelmonem A. M. Adam, Mohamed A. Gadallah, Saad Mohamed Ali Ahmed, Ahmed Khyrallh, Mohammed H. Alsayed, Esmail Tharwat Kamel Awad, M International Journal of Colorectal Disease.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluating the predictive superiority of Garg's classification for surgical decision-making in perianal fistula management Naresh Lodhi, Dileep Thakur, Amrendra Verma, Uday Somashekar, Deepti Bala Sharma, Dhananjaya Sharma Tropical Doctor.2025; 55(2): 124. CrossRef
Tuberculosis in anal fistula: incidence, clinical insights, and diagnostic challenges Tariq Akhtar Khan, Mohammad Ali, Krishna Pada Saha, M. Nashir Uddin, M. Lutful Kabir Khan, Nunjirul Muhsenin, Nazmun Nahar, Sawantee Joarder, M. Kuddus Ali Khan International Surgery Journal.2025; 12(5): 717. CrossRef
Validation of a novel imaging-guided and anatomy-based classification system for anorectal fistulas: a retrospective clinical evaluation study Antonio Brillantino, Francesca Iacobellis, Luigi Marano, Adolfo Renzi, Pasquale Talento, Luigi Brusciano, Claudio Gambardella, Umberto Favetta, Michele Schiano Di Visconte, Luigi Monaco, Maurizio Grillo, Mauro Natale Maglio, Fabrizio Foroni, Alessio Palum Annals of Coloproctology.2025; 41(3): 207. CrossRef
Application of micro-dynamic negative pressure wound therapy in treating cavity wounds after complex anal fistula surgery Ruyun Cai, Zhonghua Hong Asian Journal of Surgery.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
From the Editor: Uniting expertise, a new era of global collaboration in coloproctology In Ja Park Annals of Coloproctology.2024; 40(4): 285. CrossRef
Surgeon oriented reporting template for magnetic resonance imaging and endoanal ultrasound of anal fistulas enhances surgical decision-making Si-Ze Wu World Journal of Radiology.2024; 16(12): 712. CrossRef
Abbreviations Anonymous: A Coloproctologist’s Guide to Sanity Kaushik Bhattacharya Indian Journal of Colo-Rectal Surgery.2024; 7(1): 1. CrossRef
Uncovering the Link Between Pre-Surgery Constipation and the Success of Surgery for Chronic Anal Fissure İlyas Kudaş, Fatih Başak, Aylin Acar, Hüsna Tosun, Yahya Kemal Calışkan, Olgun Erdem, Tolga Canbak Journal of Coloproctology.2025; 45(02): e1. CrossRef
Purpose Complex anal fistulas can recur after clinical healing, even after a long interval which leads to significant anxiety. Also, ascertaining the efficacy of any new treatment procedure becomes difficult and takes several years. We prospectively analyzed the validity of Garg scoring system (GSS) to predict long-term fistula healing.
Methods In patients operated for cryptoglandular anal fistulas, magnetic resonance imaging was performed preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively to assess fistula healing. Scores as per the GSS were calculated for each patient at 3 months postoperatively and correlated with long-term healing to check the accuracy of the scoring system.
Results Fifty-seven patients were enrolled, but 50 were finally included (7 were excluded). These 50 patients (age, 41.2±12.4 years; 46 men) were followed up for 12 to 20 months (median, 17 months). Forty-seven patients (94.0%) had complex fistulas, 28 (56.0%) had recurrent fistulas, 48 (96.0%) had multiple tracts, 20 (40.0%) had horseshoe tracts, 15 (32.0%) had associated abscesses, 5 (10.0%) were suprasphincteric, and 8 (16.0%) were supralevator fistulas. The GSS could accurately predict long-term healing (high positive predictive value, 31 of 31 [100%]) but was not very accurate in predicting nonhealing (negative predictive value, 15 of 19 [78.9%]). The sensitivity in predicting healing was 31 of 35 (88.6%).
Conclusion GSS accurately predicts long-term fistula with a high positive predictive value (100%) but is less accurate in predicting nonhealing. This scoring system can help allay anxiety in patients and facilitate the early validation of innovative procedures for anal fistulas.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Recent Advances in the Understanding and Management of Anal Fistula from India Vipul D. Yagnik, Sandeep Kumar, Anshul Thakur, Kaushik Bhattacharya, Sushil Dawka, Pankaj Garg Indian Journal of Surgery.2024; 86(6): 1105. CrossRef
Rectovaginal Fistulas Not Involving the Rectovaginal Septum Should Be Treated Like Anal Fistulas: A New Concept and Proposal for a Reclassification of Rectovaginal Fistulas Pankaj Garg, Laxmikant Ladukar, Vipul Yagnik, Kaushik Bhattacharya, Gurleen Kaur Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology.2024; Volume 17: 97. CrossRef
Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of complex anal fistula Pankaj Garg, Kaushik Bhattacharya, Vipul D. Yagnik, G. Mahak Annals of Coloproctology.2024; 40(4): 321. CrossRef
Predictors of outcome in cryptoglandular anal fistula according to magnetic resonance imaging: A systematic review Alireza Teymouri, Amir Keshvari, Ali Ashjaei, Seyed Mohsen Ahmadi Tafti, Faeze Salahshour, Faezeh Khorasanizadeh, Amirhosein Naseri Health Science Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Pankaj Garg: A Community Doctor to a Master Innovator to a Global Icon David N. Armstrong, Iwona Sudoł-Szopińska, Vincent de Parades, Francesco Litta, Manuel Limbert, Khaw C. W. James Global Journal of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Update.2023; 18: 16. CrossRef