title: Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract: a Sphincter-Sparing Option for Complex Fistula-in-Ano.
abstract: Fistulae-in-ano represent one of the more challenging anorectal diseases faced by surgeons, as appropriate management requires careful balance between the need for local sepsis control and patients' desire to maintain fecal continence. The ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure, first described by Rojanasakul and colleagues in 2007, represents a sphincter-sparing technique for fistula management which has become our method of choice for transsphincteric fistulas. With this technique, patients frequently enjoy successful fistula healing., or, at worst, conversion to a less complex fistula tract. Here, we describe and illustrate our surgical approach and review success and recurrence rates presented in the published literature.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Erin O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Mukta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krane
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. afichera@uw.edu.|Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Box 356410, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. afichera@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fichera
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Anorectal surgery; Fistula-in-ano; Sphincter-saving procedures