Therapeutic Management of Complex Anal Fistulas by Installing a Closure Clip: Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial

Anal fistulas are the main etiology of perianal abscesses and suppurations. They are common and generally associated with pain, anal incontinence, impaired quality of life and work incapacity. The therapeutic management of this disease has a double objective: heal the suppuration and preserve the sphincter function. Each year, anal fistulas affect 1 in 10 000 in the normal population, with a difference in prevalence between men and women (1.23 per 10 000 men and 0.56 per 10 000 women). The average age of the patients was 40 years (Simpson et al., 2012).

In about 80% of cases, anal fistulas are secondary to an infection of Hermann and Desfosses' anal glands (cryptogenic or cryptoglandular). Infection of the anal gland can result in an abscess between the internal and external sphincters, which in turn can spread to other parts of the perianal region. The infection can follow many directions from this point in the intersphincteric plan. When the pus reaches the skin, the fistula is formed. Anal fistula therefore has always an intraductal origin, cryptic, with a primary port at this level, and the disregard of which causes the recurrence of the fistula; and usually a secondary port in the skin.

Fistulas are usually divided into two groups. The first group contains fistulas called "simple", which are intersphincteric fistulas or trans-sphincteric involving only the lower third of the sphincter complex. Fistulas usually didn't affect any muscle. The second group contains fistulas called "complex". These are intersphincteric, trans-sphincteric, or even suprasphincteric, extrasphincteric fistulas.

For many years, the treatment of choice was to open the fistula (fistulotomy), but this procedure was associated with a risk of incontinence, the consequences could be potentially devastating. Other surgical treatments include setons, fibrin glue, collagen plugs and advancement flap technique to cover internal opening of the fistula. The success of these therapies remains variable.

The advancement flap technique remains a strategy of choice in the treatment of anal fistulas and particularly in the case of complex fistulas. The success rate of the advancement flap technique remains variable across studies but a recent meta-analysis finds a success rate of around 60%.

A new technique for closing anal fistula is currently in development with the use of a closure clip nitinol (OTSC® Proctology Laboratory: OVESCO and French Distributor: Life Partners). This new technique has been validated in a porcine model of anal fistula, ensuring the safety of the device. A first case was published in a patient with complex anal fistula (high trans-sphincteric). After erosion fistula tract with a special brush, a nitinol clip (OTSC® Proctology) was deposited on the internal opening of the fistula. Eight months after surgery, the fistula was healed and the clip was removed by cutting with special pliers. This technique is currently being broadcast and dozens of patients were treated with this clip without any further scientific validation of the process.

To date, this innovative technique of the closure clip has not yet been assessed in a randomized controlled trial. It is therefore essential to carry out a prospective evaluation in order to determine the effectiveness and safety of this new device in the case of complex anal fistulas.