title: Long-term outcome of the anal fistula plug for anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of the anal fistula plug in the treatment of anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of all patients who had at least one anal fistula plug inserted from March 2007 to August 2008 was performed. Only anal fistulae of cryptoglandular origin were included. Success was defined as the closure of the external opening with no further purulent discharge or collection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty anal fistula plugs were inserted in 26 patients [median age 40 (26-70) years]. Twenty-six of the fistulae were transsphincteric and three were suprasphincteric. One patient had a high intersphincteric fistula, which was the only fistula that did not have a seton inserted. The median duration between seton insertion and the plug procedure was 12 (4-28) weeks. The median length of the fistula tract was 3 (1-7.5) cm. After a median follow-up of 59 (13-97) weeks, 26 (86.7%) fistulae recurred. Of the 26 failures, the median time to failure was 8 (2-54) weeks. Subsequent surgical interventions were performed in 20 of the failures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of the fistula plug in the management of anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin remains debatable and warrants further evaluation.
authors: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe), Central Sydney Area Health Service and University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: K-K
authors: KK
authors: Tan
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kaur
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Byrne
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Young
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Wright
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Fistula plug; anal fistula; failure; long term; treatment outcome