Open Fistulectomy vs. Laser Closure for Low Perianal Fistula

NCT07797842 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FiLaC vs Open Fistulectomy
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Perianal fistula is an abnormal tunnel connecting the anal canal to the perianal skin, frequently causing chronic pain, discharge, and impaired quality of life. Traditional open fistulectomy is an established treatment with high healing rates, but it leaves an open wound that requires prolonged recovery and carries a risk of anal sphincter injury. Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC) is a minimally invasive, sphincter-preserving technique that uses laser thermal energy to close the tract from within while minimizing tissue trauma. This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the efficacy and safety of open fistulectomy versus laser fistulotomy in adult patients with primary low perianal fistula. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two surgical treatment groups:

• Group 1: Laser fistulotomy (FiLaC) using a 1470 nm diode laser probe to seal the tract, combined with internal opening closure.
• Group 2: Conventional open fistulectomy involving complete excision of the fistula tract, allowing the wound to heal by secondary intention. Patients are evaluated during surgery and followed postoperatively at 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary goals are to assess fistula healing rates and postoperative pain levels. Secondary goals include evaluating operative time, intraoperative blood loss, wound healing duration, complication rates, time to return to daily activities, fecal continence (measured by the Wexner Continence Score), and quality of life.

Conditions

Perianal Fistula; Fistula-in-Ano; Low Perianal Fistula

Keywords

FiLaC; Laser fistulotomy; Open fistulectomy; Fistula tract laser closure; Sphincter preservation; Diode laser; Anal incontinence; Wexner score

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Fistula Healing Rate at 6 Months

  Percentage of participants achieving complete clinical fistula healing, defined as complete epithelialization of the surgical site and external wound with total absence of discharge or purulent drainage on clinical examination, without the need for secondary surgical intervention.

  6 months postoperatively

Study Arms (2)

Laser Fistulotomy (FiLaC)

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients undergo Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC™) using a 1470 nm diode laser system. The internal opening is curetted and sutured closed with polyglycolic acid suture. Granulation tissue is debrided with a fistula brush, and a radially emitting laser probe is introduced through the external opening to deliver energy circumferentially (10-14 W) at a continuous withdrawal rate of 1 mm/s to obliterate the tract. The external opening is left open or loosely sutured for drainage.

Procedure: Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC)

Open Fistulectomy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients undergo conventional open fistulectomy. The fistula tract is cannulated with a malleable probe, followed by complete surgical excision of the tract and its epithelialized lining using electrocautery and sharp dissection. The surgical wound is left open to heal by secondary intention, with wound edge marsupialization performed as needed to prevent premature skin bridging.

Procedure: Open Fistulectomy

Interventions

Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC) PROCEDURE

Debridement of the fistula tract using a fistula brush followed by closure of the internal opening with 2/0 polyglycolic acid suture. Photothermal obliteration of the tract is achieved using a 1470 nm diode laser system with a 360-degree radial emitting fiber delivering energy circumferentially (10-14 W) during steady withdrawal at 1 mm/s.

Laser Fistulotomy (FiLaC)

Open Fistulectomy PROCEDURE

Complete surgical excision of the fistulous tract from the external opening to the internal opening using sharp dissection and electrocautery over a probe guide. The resulting wound is left open to heal by secondary intention with wound edge marsupialization performed as necessary.

Open Fistulectomy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult patients aged 18 years and above.
• Diagnosis of primary (non-recurrent) low perianal fistula (intersphincteric or low transsphincteric involving less than one-third of the external sphincter) confirmed by clinical examination.
• Fistula tract anatomy confirmed by preoperative endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and/or pelvic MRI.
• Fit for surgery under spinal or general anesthesia.
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Complex or high perianal fistulae (suprasphincteric, extrasphincteric, or involving more than one-third of the external sphincter).
• Recurrent or previously operated perianal fistulae.
• Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease-associated fistulae.
• Active anorectal sepsis or undrained abscess at the time of enrollment.
• Immunocompromised patients (e.g., HIV/AIDS, long-term systemic corticosteroid therapy, post-organ transplantation).
• Pre-existing fecal incontinence (baseline Wexner Continence Score \> 5).
• Pregnant or breastfeeding females.
• Known bleeding disorders or therapeutic anticoagulation that cannot be temporarily safely discontinued.
• History of prior pelvic irradiation.
• Inability or unwillingness to comply with the postoperative follow-up protocol.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Assiut University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Rectal Fistula; Encopresis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intestinal Fistula; Digestive System Fistula; Digestive System Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Rectal Diseases; Fistula; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Elimination Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Resident

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 27, 2026
• First Posted: September 1, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08