Video-assisted anal fistula treatment for complex anal fistula: a long-term follow-up study

Aim This prospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) in complex fistula-in-ano (FIA). Method Consecutive patients presenting with complex FIA were recruited between November 2012 and November 2018. The primary outcome was healing of the fistula. Results Seventy-two patients were included, 39 (54%) of whom were men, with a mean age of 46 (+/- 11) years. The mean follow-up was 32 (+/- 18) months. Complete healing was achieved in 64 (89%) patients. When persistent and recurrent cases were considered together, the failure rate was 21% and the success rate 79%. When patients failed, they were offered VAAFT again, after which there was an in increase in the healing rate, which overall (primary and secondary) was 86%. There was no statistically significant deterioration in continence. Eight (11%) patients experienced postoperative complications which required no additional surgical intervention. Conclusion VAAFT represents a promising, sphincter-saving technique for the treatment of complex FIA. It has proved efficacious, with 79% of patients achieving complete healing after its primary application. After a second use, this reached 86%. The main advantage of VAAFT compared with other sphincter-saving techniques is working under direct vision. VAAFT has a good safety profile with 11% of patients experiencing minor complications, and there is no effect on continence.