Fistula-in-ano: treatment by fistulectomy, primary closure and reconstitution

One hundred and twenty cases of fistula-in-ano were treated in 11 years by fistulectomy and primary closure. Injection of dye into the tract helped in identifying the tract and its ramifications which were excised. A lateral sphincterotomy was added in most cases for relief of postoperative pain and to promote good healing. Of the cases, 83.3% healed well in 2 weeks as compared with 4-5 weeks or more with conventional methods resulting in great economy in hospital stay and morbidity. Follow-up of these cases for a variable period, up to five years, revealed only three recurrences, indicating a comparable long term effectiveness of this procedure as in the conventional method.