PROGNOSIS OF UNTREATED ANAL FISTULAS

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 65; no. 7; pp. 1750 - 1754
• Main Authors: OHMI, Yoshihiro, INABA, Hiroshi, HOSHI, Kanako, OHMI, Takuma, HASEGAWA, Shingo, JO, Toshiaki, FUKANO, Masahiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 2004
• Subjects: anal fistula/fistula-in-ano; untreated anal fistulas
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.65.1750
• ISSN: 1345-2843

Purpose: We conducted a follow-up of anal fistula patients who had not undergone radical surgery to determine whether their condition had worsened over time. Method: Subjects were 129 patients who had not undergone radical surgery selected from 320 anal fistula patients who had visited Ohmi Clinic 10 years or more previously. Except for 6 who continued to visit after their first visit, 123 were asked to answer questionnaires by mail or telephone, and to come in again for an anal examination. Results: Questionnaires were answered by 35 subjects, of whom 9 had been operated on at other medical institutions. Of the remaining 26, 23 were almost symptom-free. All of the 13 who underwent anal examination turned out to be originally low fistula cases: one had advanced to a high intermuscular fistula, seven were stable, and five showed scars in the fistula tract. Conclusion: Some anal fistulas had not advanced in the previous 10 years, with scars developing in some cases.