Prospects for the Use of Mini-Invasive Technologies in the Surgical Treatment of Rectal Fistulas

Abstract

Summary. The search for the optimal method of surgical treatment of fistulas of the rectum is an important issue of modern surgery. The main complications after operations are the recurrence of the disease and anal incontinence. The reasons for such complications are not only the incorrect choice of the surgical technique, but also technical errors in their implementation. The proposed methods of surgical interventions are characterized by a combination of radical excision of the fistula tract and minimal impact on the anal sphincter.
 Objective. To analyze the results of surgical treatment of rectal fistulas using minimally invasive technologies and to determine the prospects of their use.
 Materials and methods. The study consisted retro- and prospective analysis of surgical treatment of patients with various types of rectal fistulae. The advantages of using minimally invasive methods (the modified method LIFT and excision anal fistulas with biowelding) were revealed.
 Results. The use of the proposed methods demonstrated high efficiency and reduced rates of postoperative complications.
 Conclusions. The effectiveness of the techniques consists in the minimal damaging effect on the muscle structures of the anal complex. This reduces the risk of insufficiency of the anal sphincter in the postoperative period. The use of minimally invasive techniques reduce the duration of surgery, the number of hospital days, and the overall wound healing time.