title: Evaluation of the use of BioGlue in the treatment of high anal fistulas: preliminary results of a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Treatment of anal fistulas by use of adhesives is an attractive method because of its simplicity and it can be performed on an ambulatory basis. Furthermore, if the treatment is unsuccessful, adhesive use does not subsequently prevent the surgeon from utilizing alternative surgical techniques and/or products. BioGlue Surgical Adhesive is a two-component surgical adhesive composed of bovine serum albumin and glutaraldehyde. We evaluated the usefulness of BioGlue for the treatment of high transsphincter anal fistulas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients diagnosed with high transsphincter anal fistulas of cryptoglandular origin, whether relapsed or not, were included in this study. A seton was placed before the injection of BioGlue into the fistula track of high transsphincter anal fistulas in patients with secondary tracts and/or purulent collections. Clinical charts, operative reports, and endoanal echography results obtained for each patient were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients (13 males; mean age, 39.9 (range, 24-66) years) with high transsphincter anal fistulas of cryptoglandular origin were recruited into the study. The average time of symptom evolution was 35.6 (range, 2-96) months. Ten of 14 cases were for relapsed fistulas. Six patients required the placement of a seton 37 (range, 32-42) days before the BioGlue injection. Patients were followed for a mean length of 13.92 (range, 3-21) months, and the fistula healed completely in only seven patients (50 percent).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results demonstrate that BioGlue may be useful for treating patients with high transsphincter anal fistulas. Further prospective long-term studies are needed.
authors.affiliation: Coloproctology Unit, Department of General Surgery, Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez, Ronda Norte s/n, Huelva, Spain. delaportilla@ucphuelva.com
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de la Portilla
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rada
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Nieves
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cisneros
authors.forename: Victor Hugo
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Espinosa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011506:Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: C472676:Bio-glue; D011506:Proteins; D014014:Tissue Adhesives