A new seton tightening method for anal fistula treatment: sailor’s knot

Abstract

AIM: There are certain problems experienced while retightening the seton material during the patient follow-ups, such as pain and anaesthesia requirements in perianal fistula. The aim of the present study was to compare a sailor’s knot with other seton tightening methods for the surgical treatment of perianal fistulas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of 105 patients who underwent surgeries for perianal fistulas using the seton method between 2016 and 2019 were analysed retrospectively. The demographic characteristics, complaints, fistula localizations, surgery types, hospital stay lengths, postoperative complications and imaging modalities of the patients included in the study were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical treatment method. Those patients who underwent seton procedures with a sailor’s knot were included in Group 1. Group 2 included those patients who underwent other seton procedures, including silk and penrose drain procedures. Groups were compared with regard to success rates and postoperative recurrence.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the age, gender, fistula type and follow-up duration. Success rate in all patient was 88.6%, 91.2% in group 1 and 87.1% in group 2 (p=0.36). The number of patients with a kind of incontinence was 7 (7.1%), 3 (5.8%) in Group 1 and 4 (7.4%) in Group 2 (p = 0.297).

CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant differences with regard to complications and recurrences between the sailor’s knot and the other seton tightening methods used for the treatment of anal fistulas. The sailor’s knot is recommended with regard to its easy application and seton retightening with satisfactory outcomes.