Long-term outcome of the anal fistula plug for anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of the anal fistula plug in the treatment of anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin. Method A review of all patients who had at least one anal fistula plug inserted from March 2007 to August 2008 was performed. Only anal fistulae of cryptoglandular origin were included. Success was defined as the closure of the external opening with no further purulent discharge or collection. Results Thirty anal fistula plugs were inserted in 26 patients [median age 40 (26–70) years]. Twenty-six of the fistulae were transsphincteric and three were suprasphincteric. One patient had a high intersphincteric fistula, which was the only fistula that did not have a seton inserted. The median duration between seton insertion and the plug procedure was 12 (4–28) weeks. The median length of the fistula tract was 3 (1–7.5) cm. After a median follow-up of 59 (13–97) weeks, 26 (86.7%) fistulae recurred. Of the 26 failures, the median time to failure was 8 (2–54) weeks. Subsequent surgical interventions were performed in 20 of the failures. Conclusion The role of the fistula plug in the management of anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin remains debatable and warrants further evaluation.