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Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and morbidity of two surgical procedures, firm cutting seton andloose seton / fistulotomy in the management of suprasphincteric and high trans-sphincteric fistula in ano. Setting: Jinnah Hospital / AllamaIqbal Medical college, Lahore. Period: June 1999 to January 2008. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized study of 50 consecutivepatients (25 in each group) suffering from suprasphincteric and high trans-sphincteric fistula in ano. Patients were randomly allocated oneof the two methods of treatment. In firm cutting seton, seton was repeatedly tightened with the interval of 15 days till the thread came outwhereas loose seton / fistulotomy was a two staged surgical procedure. Follow up was made for 12months to record the fistula recurrence,anal incontinence, duration of complete wound healing and number of hospitalizations. Comparison was made using standard statisticalmethods. Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test was applied for comparison. Results: There was no significant statistical difference betweenthe groups in age, sex and type of fistula. Patient treated with loose seton / fistulotomy required more than one hospitalization, more offwork and more expenditures as compared to firm cutting seton method. The rate of anal incontinence was more in patients treated withloose seton / fistulotomy. Recurrence rate was almost the same in both groups. Conclusion: Both techniques are equally effective ineradication of fistula but the rate of postoperative anal incontinence and duration of complete healing of the wound is more in patients treatedwith loose seton / fistulotomy.