Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Comparative Study: Fistula Rerouting vs. LIFT for High Perianal Fistula
Sponsor: Cairo University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two different surgery methods for treating a complex type of anal fistula. This condition is an abnormal tunnel connecting the inside of the anus to the skin nearby. The main questions the study aims to answer are: Which surgery has a lower chance of the fistula coming back (recurrence)? Which surgery has a lower chance of causing problems with bowel control (incontinence) after healing? Researchers will compare two surgery groups: Group 1: Fistula Rerouting Technique - a two-step surgery that moves the fistula tract to a safer area before opening it. Group 2: LIFT Technique - a surgery that ties off and closes the fistula tract from between the anal muscles. Participants will be randomly assigned by a computer to one of these two surgery groups. This helps ensure the comparison between the two surgeries is fair. Participants in this study will: * Have tests before surgery, including an MRI scan, to confirm they have the specific type of fistula being studied. * Undergo one of the two planned surgical procedures. * Attend follow-up visits after surgery at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months. * Be checked during these visits for wound healing, pain, infection, and bowel control. * Have another MRI scan if the fistula is suspected to have come back.
Official title: Comparative Study Between Fistula Rerouting Technique and Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) Technique in Treatment of High Perianal Fistula.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
20 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2025-08-28
Completion Date
2026-06
Last Updated
2026-02-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Fistula Rerouting Technique
A two-stage, sphincter-preserving surgical procedure for high perianal fistula. Stage 1: The native fistulous tract is surgically dissected and transposed from its trans-sphincteric course into the intersphincteric plane. The defect in the external sphincter is repaired. Stage 2: After complete healing of the first-stage wound, a fistulotomy is performed on the newly created intersphincteric tract. The goal is to eradicate the fistula while minimizing injury to the anal sphincter complex.
Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract
A single-stage, sphincter-preserving surgical procedure for perianal fistula. The fistula tract is accessed via an incision in the intersphincteric groove. The tract is identified, dissected, divided, and both ends are ligated. The infected cryptoglandular tissue is excised. The internal and external wounds are debrided and left open to heal by secondary intention. The goal is to close the fistula tract at its origin while preserving sphincter function.
Locations (1)
Faculty of Medicine Cairo University
Cairo, Al-Manial Cairo, Egypt