1. Introduction

Treatment of perianal fistulas has always been challenging, balancing between long-term effectiveness (with higher success rates when using more aggressive surgical techniques) and the risk of postoperative sphincter dysfunction [1]. Many new, minimal invasive techniques have appeared lately, such as eradication of the fistula using novel biomaterials, the Video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) technique or the OTSC^TM Proctology system (Ovesco Endoscopy AG, Tuebingen, Germany) [2].

One of the most promising methods currently applied is the ligation of inter-sphincteric fistula tract (LIFT), which was first described by Rojanasakul in 2007 [3]. Curettage of the external opening up to the level of the external sphincter muscle completes the procedure in some cases, known as LIFT Plus [4]. On the other hand, the Fistula Laser Closing (FiLaC^TM) device (Biolitec, Germany) has shown good primary results in both cryptoglandular and Crohn’s anal fistulas and even better if used for a second time [5,6]. However, some authors admit that the laser procedure alone may be insufficient in closing the internal fistula opening, which may be implicated in fistula recurrence [6].

It appears that we are still far from an ideal, universally accepted method for successful treatment of anal fistulas, since each individual technique has its pros and cons. In the case of a transsphincteric anal fistula that is presented here, a combination of the FiLAC and LIFT surgical techniques was preferred for optimal results.

2. Case Presentation

A 48-year-old male patient presented to my office suffering from an anal fistula during the past 8 months, after having been operated elsewhere for a perianal abscess. His medical history included rheumatoid arthritis under etanercept (subcutaneous injections once every week), leflunomide (20 mg per os once daily) and methylprednisolone (4 mg per os once daily), as well as arterial hypertension under valsartan 80 g once daily. Clinical examination revealed an external fistula opening at 8 o’clock at lithotomy position with purulent discharge. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was ordered, revealing an active transsphincteric fistula tract with an internal opening at 8 o’clock, while the intersphincteric space showed signs of ongoing sepsis. A seton placement was arranged under local anaesthesia and was left in place for the subsequent 3 months, in order to permit the sepsis to subside. A new MRI study was performed, showing elimination of the intersphincteric infection and absence of secondary fistulous tracts.

The patient was operated under spinal anaesthesia in the jack-knife position. Firstly the seton was removed and replaced by a metallic probe which was used as a guide in order to facilitate identification of the fistula tract. Typical LIFT procedure was performed by meticulous dissection through the intersphincteric plane, double suture ligation of the fistula tract using Vicryl No 2/0 and finally cutting of the fistula tract between the sutures. The intersphincteric plane was further explored for residual cryptoglandular infection foci and thoroughly cleansed. Adequacy of ligation at the side of the external sphincter was confirmed by non-passing of hydrogen peroxide solution which was instilled from the external fistula opening through an abbocath. The lateral portion of the fistulous tract (from the external sphincter towards the external opening at the ischiorectal fossa) was then obliterated using a diode laser emitting energy in a circumferential manner (radial optical fiber) with a wavelength of 1.470 nm (BiolItec). The generator was set at 13W providing pulsed energy shots of 1 sec with a 0.5 sec “dead” interval, during which the fiber was pulled to the next position of energy delivery, moving from medial to lateral, as in standard FiLAC procedure. Total amount of energy delivered was 510 Joules for a fistula tract with a length of 3.5 cm. the external fistula opening was left intact and the perianal area was covered with sterile gauzes.

Post-operatively, the patient was administered 500 mg of Cefuroxime per os twice daily and 500 mg of Metronidazole trice daily for 5 days. Simple painkillers (paracetamol and ibuprofen) were prescribed and used by the patient on demand. The patient was discharged after an overnight stay and checked at week intervals for fistula healing or ongoing discharge. His course was uneventful and 3 weeks after the procedure the fistula had healed, as witnessed in clinical examination and transdermal ultrasonographic evaluation. Today, seven months after the operation, there are no clinical or radiological (new MRI) proofs of recurrence.

3. Discussion

FiLaC is a promising sphincter-saving procedure for anal fistula that seems to have a high success rate and low morbidity. It is not technically demanding and allows for quick recovery [7]. In the largest study of perianal fistulas treated with the FiLAC technique, Wilhelm et al., report primary healing rate of 64.1% (75 out of 117 patients over a 12-month period of follow-up), with no difference between fistulas of cryptoglandular origin and those related to Crohn’s disease [6]. The secondary success rate (that is after a second application of the FiLAC technique) was reported to be 88%. It is interesting to note that the above mentioned success rates refer to all types of fistula combined (according to Parks classification), thus making FiLAC a near-ideal treatment for both simple and complex anal fistulas [8].

However, in many cases the surgeons combine this technique with some other procedure such as suture-closure of the internal opening or creation of an endorectal advancement flap [9]. This is to ensure that septic material will not be allowed to pass alongside the fistula tract during its period of healing, thus raising the chances of success. However, it has been shown that recurrence or partial failure of the operation involves mainly the intersphincteric plane (residual sepsis, secondary tracts etc) [10]. In the case that is presented here, the LIFT technique was used in order to disconnect the internal opening from the fistula tract while at the same time exploring the intersphincteric space for residual septic foci. Then, the remaining part of the fistulous tract (that is from the external sphincter muscle towards the external fistula opening) was treated with the FiLAC procedure. In this way, there was no need to core-out the remaining part of the tract (as in LIFT plus)[4], since the laser application was able to seal the fistula without any external wounding. This allowed for a faster recovery with minimal post-operative pain and the patient being able to resume normal activity in less than a week’s time.

Since its first description by Wilhelm et al., back in 2011 [9], FiLAC has emerged as a minimally invasive method for treating anal fistulas, as well as pilonidal disease [11,12]. The circumferentially emitted laser energy destroys the fistula epithelium and simultaneously obliterates the remaining fistula tract. Giamundo et al., use the laser alone to seal the fistula tract, since its shrinkage effect is adequate to close the internal opening as well [13]. On the other hand, Wilhelm et al., add some form of manipulation regarding the internal opening [6,9]. In this study, FiLAC was combined with LIFT for the first time in an effort to achieve definite results, since the patient received immunomodulators and the chance of failure was believed to be greater than other individuals with the same type of fistula.

In conclusion, this is the first report of a combination therapy for transsphincteric anal fistula, applying both the FiLAC and LIFT techniques. Based on the advantages of each individual method, optimal results can be achieved, even in patients with additional risk factors for failure of primary healing or recurrence.

Competing Interests

The author declare that there is no competing interests regarding the publication of this article.