Perianal FistulaNCT07797842
Open Fistulectomy vs. Laser Closure for Low Perianal Fistula
A study testing Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC) and Open Fistulectomy in people with Perianal Fistula and Fistula-in-Ano, run by Assiut University.
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Perianal Fistula, Fistula-in-Ano, Low Perianal Fistula
- What is being tested?
- Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC) and Open Fistulectomy
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Oct 2026to Nov 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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).
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- 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.
About this study
Official title: Open Fistulectomy Versus Fistula Tract Laser Closure in Low Perianal Fistula
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.
Read more
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
- Being tested
- Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC), Open Fistulectomy
- Keywords
- FiLaC, Laser fistulotomy, Open fistulectomy, Fistula tract laser closure, Sphincter preservation, Diode laser, Anal incontinence, Wexner score
- Medical subject headings
- Rectal Fistula, Encopresis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC)Procedure or surgery
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.
Open FistulectomyProcedure or surgery
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: 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. Receives: Procedure: Open Fistulectomy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 6 months postoperatively
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Sep 2026
- Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionOct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionNov 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Perianal FistulaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Assiut UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nada Mohamed Abd El Meged, Assiut University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07797842
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FiLaC vs Open Fistulectomy
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Open Fistulectomy Versus Fistula Tract Laser Closure in Low Perianal Fistula
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07797842
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FiLaC vs Open Fistulectomy
- 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
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Assiut UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Nov 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Laser Fistulotomy (FiLaC) | Experimental | Procedure: Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC)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. |
| Open Fistulectomy | Active comparator | Procedure: Open FistulectomyPatients 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- 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).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC)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. | Procedure or surgery | Laser Fistulotomy (FiLaC) |
| Open FistulectomyComplete 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. | Procedure or surgery | Open Fistulectomy |
Primary outcome
Fistula Healing Rate at 6 Months
Time frame: 6 months postoperatively
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.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Sep 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Fistula-tract Laser Closure (FiLaC) and Open Fistulectomy in people with Perianal Fistula and Fistula-in-Ano, run by Assiut University.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Fistula Healing Rate at 6 Months (time frame: 6 months postoperatively). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.