Repeat Transanal Advancement Flap Repair: Impact on the Overall Healing Rate of High Transsphincteric Fistulas and on Fecal Continence

摘要

PurposeTransanal advancement flap repair (TAFR) has been advocated as the treatment of choice for transsphincteric fistulas passing through the upper or middle third of the external anal sphincter. It is not clear whether previous attempts at repair adversely affect the outcome of TAFR. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the success rate of a repeat TAFR and to assess the impact of such a second procedure on the overall healing rate of high transsphincteric fistulas and on fecal continence.