title: A new minimally invasive treatment for anal fistula.
abstract: In colorectal surgery, eradicating the fistula and maintaining continence are still complex challenges for a colorectal surgeon. A minimally invasive method using a novel device was performed to consecutively treat 14 patients with anal fistula from August 2008 to November 2009. After a follow-up period of 36 months, 13 patients achieved successful closure of their fistula tracts, and recurrence occurred only in one patient. Recurrence was due to the delay of dressing change. No patient had interference with continence, and no major intra- and postoperative complications were identified. Using the novel device with invasive methods can be a promising alternative for managing anal fistulas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China, zhurui19830108@163.com.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Caoyuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yanping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xiaojuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome