European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Background: Fistula in ano is an abnormal track connecting the anal canal with the perineum. Different treatment modalities are available for managing anal fistulae, such as fistulotomy, fistulectomy, ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT), seton placement, advancement flaps, and use of biological agents like fibrin glue. The present study aimed to compare Ligation of intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) versus conventional fistulectomy in treating low fistula in ano at a tertiary hospital.
Material and Methods: Present study was a single-center, comparative study conducted on patients suffering from low anal fistula between 18-55 yrs.
Results: 80 patients were divided into groups Group A (LIFT procedure) & Group B (conventional fistulectomy), with 40 patients in each group. Among various Intra-operative & Postoperative Factors, we noted that Group A (LIFT) had less mean duration of surgery, less hospital stay, less need for analgesics, less mean duration of wound healing, less mean duration of return to work as compared to Group B (Conventional Fistulectomy) & difference was significant statistically (p<0.001). Postoperative complications were more minor in Group A (LIFT) (only 1 case of incontinence) as compared to group B (Conventional Fistulectomy) (2 cases of Wound infection/Abscess, two instances of incontinence & 1 patient of recurrence), but the difference was not significant statistically.
Conclusion: The ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) procedure is easy to learn, perform, safe, has a high healing rate, low morbidity, quickly treats fistula in ano & better fecal continence preservation compared to open fistulectomy.