[Anal fistula treated with collagen plug].

Area of Science:

• Colorectal surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Biomaterials in medicine

Background:

• High anal fistulae present a significant treatment challenge with high failure rates.
• Trans-sphincteric anal fistulae, particularly high ones, often require complex surgical approaches.
• Minimally invasive techniques are sought to improve outcomes and reduce complications.

Observation:

• A 41-year-old male patient with a high trans-sphincteric anal fistula was treated.
• A novel biodegradable collagen plug was utilized for fistula closure.
• Initial healing was rapid following the plug insertion.

Findings:

• A superficial retention occurred six weeks post-treatment, necessitating incision of the external fistula opening.
• Following this minor intervention, the fistula healing progressed uneventfully.
• At the four-month follow-up, the anal fistula demonstrated complete and sustained healing.

Implications:

• Biodegradable collagen plugs represent a potentially effective and less invasive option for treating complex anal fistulae.
• This case highlights the feasibility of using collagen plugs in managing high trans-sphincteric fistulae.
• Further research and larger trials are warranted to confirm the efficacy and long-term outcomes of this novel treatment approach.