Research status of sphincter-sparing surgery in the treatment of anal fistula

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.1674-0793.2025.03.009

Abstract

Abstract:

Anal fistula is a common anorectal disorder with various treatment modalities.Traditional procedures such as fistulotomy may cause anal sphincter injury and subsequent fecal incontinence.In order to balance radical treatment with functional preservation， sphincter-preserving techniques have emerged as research focus in recent years.However， only two approaches - ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract （LIFT）and transanal opening of intersphincteric space （TROPIS） - have satisfactorily demonstrated in complex anal fistulas.This article will comprehensively review the pathophysiological basis of fistula formation， procedural details， research advancements， and comparative advantages/limitations of LIFT and TROPIS techniques，aiming to provide optimized therapeutic options for patients with anal fistulas.

Key words: Rectal fistula, Sphincter-preserving operation, LIFT, TROPIS

Meijun Liu, Jie Pang, Chunbao Zhai. Research status of sphincter-sparing surgery in the treatment of anal fistula[J]. Chinese Archives of General Surgery(Electronic Edition), 2025, 19(03): 193-196.

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