Efficacy of video-assisted anal fistula treatment combined with closure of the internal opening using a stapler for Parks II anal fistula

BACKGROUND: To explore the efficacy of video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) combined with an internal-opening closure technique using a stapler in the treatment of Parks II anal fistula. METHODS: From September 2017 to June 2019, 75 patients with Parks II anal fistulas in Beijing Erlonglu Hospital were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups. The 37 patients in the treatment group received VAAFT combined with internal-opening closure techniques, and the 38 patients in the control group were treated with anal fistulotomy with seton placement. The primary outcomes included the healing rate and recurrence, the fecal incontinence severity index (FISI) score, and the Wexner incontinence score during the 6-month postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-two cases were healed in the treatment group (86.5%) and thirty-six cases were cured in the control group (94.7%). There was no notable difference in the healing rate between the two groups (P=0.487). Significant differences between the groups were observed in the Wexner incontinence and FISI scores at 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation (P=0.001). Furthermore, the wound healing time in the treatment group was significantly shorter than in the control group (P<0.05), while the numerical rating scale (NRS) for postoperative pain on the first day and 1 week after the operation were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VAAFT combined with closure of the internal opening using a stapler is effective and safe for Parks II anal fistula, and should be promoted as a promising treatment.