Fistulectomy versus fistulotomy with marsupialisation in the treatment of low XXXX -in- ano: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

@entity1 @entity322 @entity281 @entity292 @entity282
Low @entity292 has traditionally been treated with fistulectomy and fistulotomy. Recent studies have shown that marsupialisation of the fistulotomy wounds can reduce the healing time. A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre in north-western Tanzania between January 2008 and December 2012 to compare the efficacy of fistulectomy versus fistulotomy with marsupialisation in the treatment of low @entity292 in ano. @entity1 were randomized into two groups, namely Group A (fistulectomy) and Group B (fistulotomy with marsupialisation). A total of 162 @entity1 were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to Group A (n = 82) and Group B (n = 80). Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex ratio, duration of symptoms, type of @entity292 and radial distance of the external opening from the anal verge. The mean healing time was statistically significantly longer in group A than in group B (P = 0.002). The duration of postoperative wound discharge was statistically significantly shorter in group B than in group A (P = 0.012). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean operating time, mean operation wound size, mean @entity282 score, rate of @entity281 and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (P > 0.05). None of the @entity1 in either group had recurrence or was found to have anal @entity322 . No differences in the extent of adverse effects of surgery on the physical, social and sexual lives of the @entity1 in the two groups. We conclude that in comparison to a fistulectomy, a fistulotomy with marsupialisation results in faster wound healing and a shorter duration of wound discharge and should therefore be recommended as a standard surgical procedure in the treatment of low @entity292 .
