Risk factors for recurrence and incontinence after anal fistula surgery

Objective: Fistula-in-ano continues to raise problems that require important therapeutic decisions. Our aim was to evaluate its recurrence and incontinence risk factors. Method: We analysed a series of 279 patients who had undergone anal fistula surgery with long-term follow-up. Results: 42.7% of the fistulae were considered complex and 46% had been referred from other institutions. There was delayed healing or recurrence in 7.2% patients, which appeared at a median of 4 months. The factors associated with recurrence were the type of fistula (extrasphincteric/suprasphincteric), nonidentification of internal opening (IO), recurrent or complex fistulae (CF), and associated chronic abscess. On…