Modified anal sphincter suspension improves anal function in patients with anal fistula

To compare conventional thread-ligating therapy with the modified anal sphincter suspension procedure on the restoration of anal function in patients with anal fistula.

This retrospective study included 120 consecutive patients with anal fistula treated at The First People's Hospital of Lin'an District, Hangzhou between January 2022 and December 2023. Patients were divided into an experimental group (n=66) who underwent the modified anal sphincter suspension procedure with preservation, and a control group (n=54) who received conventional thread-ligating therapy. Clinical data, including age, gender, duration of illness, BMI, medical history, anal function, pain score, quality of life score, overall efficacy assessment, and postoperative complications, were collected from the hospital's electronic medical records.

The cure rate was 90.91% in the experimental group and 92.59% in the control group (P>0.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly higher scores in psychological function (89.65±6.87 vs. 89.35±7.67, P=0.004), material life (85.64±6.87 vs. 68.64±6.58, P=0.002), physical function (80.98±5.98 vs. 70.85±5.68, P=0.003), and social function (86.63±5.97 vs. 74.65±6.38, P=0.009) after surgery. Additionally, the Wexner scores, VAS scores, ARP, and RRP were significantly decreased in the experimental group postoperatively (all P<0.05).

The modified anal sphincter suspension procedure with preservation significantly reduces postoperative pain and improves anal function, thereby enhancing the quality of life in patients with anal fistula.