Abstract
Background: Acute cryptoglandular anorectal abscesses are often treated by incision and drainage, resulting in the development of a fistula in up to 73% of cases. Since fistula tracts may already be present at initial presentation, primary closure to prevent secondary fistula formation, by ligation of the fistula tract in the intersphincteric space, may help improve the incidence of subsequent fistula occurrence.
Objectives: To report the short-term outcomes of complex anorectal abscesses treated with LIFT procedure.
Materials and method: A case series of six patients.
Results: All six patients had emergency surgery within 24 hours and had MRI scans before surgery. The fistula tract is identified on MRI and during surgery by exploration. The fistula tracts were later sutured and divided in the intersphincteric space according to the classic or modified LIFT method. 4/6 patients completely healed after 60 days. One patient did not heal but refused further treatment. One patient having persistent fistula was later treated with the re-LIFT and coring out of external tract. No patient had incontinence after 90 days.
Conclusion: The LIFT method can improve the odd of fistula occurrence after acute abscess treatment without affecting anal continence.
| Published | 2025-12-25 | |
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| Issue | Vol. 15 No. 7 (2025) | |
| Section | Original Articles | |
| DOI | 10.34071/jmp.2025.7.19 | |
| Keywords | Áp xe cạnh hậu môn phức tạp, LIFT Complex anorectal abscess, LIFT procedure |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hue Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy
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