title: Required length of follow-up after transanal advancement flap  repair of high transsphincteric fistulas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Repair of high perianal fistulas presents a major surgical challenge. Transanal advancement flap repair (TAFR) provides a useful tool in the treatment of these fistulas. Initially promising results have been reported. More recent studies indicate that TAFR fails in one out of three patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the appropriate length of follow-up needed to assess the healing rate after TAFR of high transsphincteric fistulas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1992 and 2000 a consecutive series of 80 patients with a high transsphincteric fistula of cryptoglandular origin underwent TAFR. Medical records of all patients were studied. The initial healing rate and the median healing time were assessed. The initial outcome was successful in 54 patients. The medical records revealed that only one of these patients presented with a recurrent fistula after 28 months. The other 53 patients were sent a questionnaire in 2006 aimed to determine whether they had any complaints or signs of a recurrent fistula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial healing rate was 68%. The median healing time was 3.6 months. The completed questionnaire was returned by 48 patients. None of these patients reported any complaints or signs of a recurrent fistula. Median duration of follow-up in these patients was 92 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At a median time interval of 3.6 months fistula healing was observed in 54 patients (68%). Only one patient (2%) encountered a recurrence. The length of follow-up can be restricted to the healing time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Mitalas
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gosselink
authors.forename: D M J
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Oom
authors.forename: D D E
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Schouten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult