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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
An Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy Designed to Minimize Anastomotic Complications and Optimize Conduit Function
Published on: April 17, 2020
Long-term, indwelling setons for low transsphincteric and intersphincteric anal fistulas. Experience with 108 cases
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to determine the technique and results of long-term, indwelling setons for low transsphincteric and intersphincteric anal fistulas.
Method:
Long-term, indwelling setons were performed in 108 consecutive patients with low transsphincteric and intersphincteric anal fistulas. Progress and results of 73.1 percent of cases were assessed in a retrospective study.
Results:
Therapy lasted for an average of 54.8 weeks; mean follow-up was 62 weeks. Relapse occurred in 3.7 percent of cases and incontinence in 0.9 percent. Average period spent in a hospital was 0.3 days/case.
Conclusions:
A long-term, indwelling seton is a good alternative to primary surgical treatment of low transsphincteric and intersphincteric anal fistulas. Relapse quota is comparable with that of primary surgically treated cases; incontinence is rarer with long-term, indwelling seton. Complete treatment can generally be performed in the outpatient department. One disadvantage is that therapy takes much longer than cases treated by primary surgery.
