Annals of Coloproctology

Display

Sort by :

Original Articles

Complications

Comparative outcomes of early and late rectourethral fistula: insights from a multicentric retrospective study on multidisciplinary management strategies: Pauline Jeannot, Edouard Roussel, Alexandre Dutoit, Maxime Collard, Niki Christou, Jérémie H. Lefevre, Amine Souadka, Alves Arnaud, Antonio Castaldi, Martin Bertrand, Nicolas Michot, Benjamin Faivre d’Arcier, Jean Jacques Tuech, Franck Bruyère, Urs Giger-Pabst, Mehdi Ouaïssi, for the French Research Group of Rectal Cancer Surgery (GRECCAR); Ann Coloproctol. 2026;42(1):103-114. Published online February 27, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2025.00696.0099

238 View
13 Download

Abstract PDF: Purpose
The objective of this study was to evaluate the natural history of early and late rectourethral fistulas (RUFs) and to determine the long-term outcomes of a multidisciplinary management approach.
Methods
A multicenter retrospective study was performed on patients with RUF who were treated by a combined colorectal and urological team. Early RUF (ERUF) was defined as occurring within 31 days after surgery, while late RUF (LRUF) was defined as occurring thereafter. Surgical procedures and the surgeons involved were recorded, in addition to clinical assessments, radiological findings, and oncological assessments.
Results
A total of 72 patients diagnosed with RUF were treated between January 1, 2010, and June 2023. Patients were divided into ERUF (n=37) and LRUF (n=35) groups. After conservative management, comparisons of success rates for graciloplasty, York-Mason, and delayed coloanal anastomosis as second and third treatments showed higher rates for graciloplasty in ERUF than in LRUF (83% vs. 40%, P=0.034; 71% vs. 33%, P=0.500; and 60% vs. 40%, P>0.999, respectively). The ERUF group demonstrated significantly higher cure rates after the second treatment (83.8% vs. 40.0%, P<0.001). At final follow-up, complete healing was significantly more frequent in ERUF than in LRUF (83.8% vs. 42.9%, P<0.005). Definitive digestive and urinary diversion rates were lower in ERUF (13.5% vs. 48.5%, P=0.001; and 13.5% vs. 25.7%, P=0.240, respectively).
Conclusion
These findings suggest that 30% of patients required a definitive colostomy, with a significantly higher proportion observed in the LRUF group. Moreover, repeated surgical procedures in the LRUF group were frequently unsuccessful.

Inflammatory/benign bowel disease

Long-term risk factors of stoma construction after loose seton placement for Crohn disease–associated perianal fistulas: Eiichi Nakao, Kenji Tatsumi, Nao Obara, Koki Goto, Hirosuke Kuroki, Akira Sugita, Kazutaka Koganei; Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(6):565-572. Published online December 26, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2025.00766.0109

645 View
35 Download

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
To evaluate long-term outcomes and identify prognostic factors for stoma construction following loose seton placement in patients with Crohn disease (CD)-associated perianal fistulas.
Methods
This single-center, retrospective study included 136 patients who underwent initial loose seton placement for CD-associated perianal fistulas between 1999 and 2021, with at least 3 years of follow-up. Patient demographics, anorectal findings, and perioperative pharmacotherapy were assessed. Prognosis was defined as the cumulative incidence of stoma formation. Independent risk factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression. The association between postoperative molecular-targeted therapy and stoma-free survival was further analyzed in patients with severe anal ulceration and rectal stricture (high-risk features). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used for comparisons.
Results
During follow-up, 42 patients required stoma construction. Severe anal ulceration (odds ratio [OR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–5.38; P=0.039), rectal stricture (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.09–7.37; P=0.032), and absence of postoperative molecular-targeted therapy (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15–0.84; P=0.018) were independent risk factors. In patients with severe anal ulceration, the cumulative stoma construction rate was significantly lower with postoperative molecular-targeted therapy (P=0.018). No significant difference was observed in patients with rectal strictures (P=0.058).
Conclusion
Severe anal ulceration, rectal stricture, and absence of postoperative molecular-targeted therapy were independently associated with stoma construction. Postoperative molecular-targeted therapy improved stoma-free survival in patients with severe anal ulceration. Individualized treatment strategies, including early pharmacological intervention, may improve long-term outcomes and preserve anorectal function. Tailoring treatment according to lesion characteristics may reduce stoma formation and enhance quality of life in CD-associated perianal disease.

Anorectal benign disease

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 Palumbo, Maria Laura Sandoval Sotelo, Luciano Vicenzo, Elisa Palladino, Giovanna Frezza, Maria Paola Menna, Paolino Mauro, Stefano Picardi, Mario Massimo Mensorio, Vinicio Mosca, Vincenzo Bottino, Giovanna Ioia, Corrado Rispoli, Marco Di Serafino, Martina Caruso, Roberto Ronza, Barbara Frittoli, Daria Schettini, Luca Stoppino, Franco Iafrate, Giulio Lombardi, Carmine Antropoli, Salvatore Cappabianca, Ludovico Docimo, Roberto Grassi, Alfonso Reginelli; Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(3):207-220. Published online June 16, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2024.00675.0096

5,068 View
138 Download
1 Citations

Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF

Purpose
This study was conducted to evaluate the validity of a new imaging-guided, anatomy-based classification of anorectal fistulas in defining disease severity and predicting surgical outcomes.
Methods
This multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients with perianal fistulas who underwent surgery between 2017 and 2023. All patients underwent preoperative 3-dimensional endoanal ultrasound, with adjunctive magnetic resonance imaging performed if ultrasound indicated a complex fistula. Imaging examinations were retrospectively evaluated to categorize fistulas according to the Garg classification and the newly proposed classification system. The new classification included 6 severity grades based on the characteristics of the primary tract: submucosal, intersphincteric, low transsphincteric, high transsphincteric, multiple, and suprasphincteric/extrasphincteric. Each grade was further subdivided into 3 subtypes (A, B, C) based on the extension of secondary tracts.
Results
When compared with the new classification, the Garg classification demonstrated a slightly lower ability to predict the feasibility of fistulotomy in simple fistulas (94.2% vs 99.1%; Fisher exact test, P=0.006). A strong positive correlation was found between the surgery failure rate and the severity grade of the new classification (Spearman rho, 0.90; P<0.001), whereas the Garg classification showed a nonsignificant positive correlation with surgical failure rate (Spearman rho, 0.90; P=0.08).
Conclusion
The new imaging-guided, anatomy-based classification of anorectal fistulas demonstrates high accuracy in defining disease severity. It represents a valuable tool for preoperative grading of anal fistulas, standardizing the reporting of diagnostic imaging, and improving the communication of findings among healthcare professionals.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparison of the proposed new classification of anal fistulas with the Garg classification
Pankaj Garg, Nicola Clemente, Kaushik Bhattacharya, Sattyadeep Garg
Annals of Coloproctology.2026; 42(1): 145. CrossRef

Translational/basic research

Preclinical testing of a new radiofrequency ablation device in a porcine perianal fistula model: Sunseok Yoon, Jung-Woo Choi, Yongtaik Son, Hyun Soon Lee, Kwang Dae Hong; Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(1):84-92. Published online February 26, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2024.00626.0089

3,733 View
142 Download

Abstract PDF: Purpose
Anorectal fistulas present a treatment challenge, with conventional surgical methods potentially resulting in complications such as fecal incontinence. To improve patient outcomes, more effective and minimally invasive therapies are critically needed. In this study, an optimal porcine model for the creation of anorectal fistulas was developed and used to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy.
Methods
Two distinct but related experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, a reliable and standardized porcine anorectal fistula model was developed. In the second, the healing process was assessed, and outcomes were compared between the RFA-treated group and the control group using the established porcine model.
Results
The results indicated that a 3.5-cm fistula tract length and a 14-day evaluation period following seton removal are optimal for the porcine anorectal fistula model. In the second experiment, the RFA group tended to exhibit better outcomes regarding fistula closure, although the differences were not statistically significant. Histopathologically, no significant difference in inflammation grade was observed between groups; however, scar tissue was more predominant in the RFA group.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that RFA therapy may offer potential benefits in the treatment of anorectal fistulas, as demonstrated using a porcine model. To validate these results and explore the mechanisms of action underlying RFA therapy for anorectal fistulas, further research involving larger sample sizes and a more robust study design is required.

Anorectal benign disease

Antibiotic use during the first episode of acute perianal sepsis: a still-open question: Stanislas Blondin, David Lobo, Axel Egal, Saliha Ysmail-Dahlouk, Milad Taouk, Josée Bourguignon, David Blondeel, Isabelle Etienney; Ann Coloproctol. 2025;41(1):40-46. Published online February 3, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2024.00472.0067

14,977 View
195 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Citations

Search