title: Experimental porcine model of complex fistula-in-ano.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish and evaluate an experimental porcine model of fistula-in-ano.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve healthy pigs were randomly divided into two groups. Under general anesthesia, the experimental group underwent rubber band ligation surgery, and the control group underwent an artificial damage technique. Clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological evaluation were performed on the 38thd and 48thd after surgery in both groups, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in general characteristics such as body weight, gender, and the number of fistula (P> 0.05). In the experimental group, 15 fistulas were confirmed clinically, 13 complex fistulas were confirmed by MRI, and 11 complex fistulas were confirmed by histopathology. The success rate in the porcine complex fistula model establishment was 83.33%. Among the 18 fistulas in the control group, 5 fistulas were confirmed clinically, 4 complex fistulas were confirmed by MRI, and 3 fistulas were confirmed by histopathology. The success rate in the porcine fistula model establishment was 27.78%. Thus, the success rate of the rubber band ligation group was significantly higher than the control group (P< 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rubber band ligation is a stable and reliable method to establish complex fistula-in-ano models. Large animal models of complex anal fistulas can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of anal fistulas.
authors.affiliation: Ma-Mu-Ti-Jiang A Ba-Bai-Ke-Re, Hui Chen, Xue Liu, Yun-Hai Wang, Department of Anorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Ma-Mu-Ti-Jiang
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: A Ba-Bai-Ke-Re
authors.affiliation: Ma-Mu-Ti-Jiang A Ba-Bai-Ke-Re, Hui Chen, Xue Liu, Yun-Hai Wang, Department of Anorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Ma-Mu-Ti-Jiang A Ba-Bai-Ke-Re, Hui Chen, Xue Liu, Yun-Hai Wang, Department of Anorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Ma-Mu-Ti-Jiang A Ba-Bai-Ke-Re, Hui Chen, Xue Liu, Yun-Hai Wang, Department of Anorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Hai
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008026:Ligation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011897:Random Allocation; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Animal model; Complex fistula-in-ano; Fistulas