A Prospective Evaluation of the Ligation of the Intersphincteric Tract Procedure for Complex Anal Fistula in Patients With Crohnʼs Disease

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate 2- and 12-month outcomes after ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) in Crohnʼs disease (CD). BACKGROUND:Surgical approaches to perianal fistulas in CD are frequently ineffective and hampered by concerns over adequate wound healing and sphincter injury. The efficacy of LIFT in CD patients is unknown. METHODS:Consecutive cases of CD patients with transsphincteric fistulas were prospectively analyzed. Fistula healing and 2 validated quality-of-life indices were assessed. RESULTS:Fifteen CD patients (9 women; mean age = 34.8 years) were identified. Location of the fistula was lateral (n = 10; 67%) or midline (n = 5; 33%). LIFT site healing was seen in 9 patients (60%) at 2-month follow-up. No patient developed fecal incontinence. LIFT site healing was seen in 8 of the 12 patients (67%) with complete 12-month follow-up. Significant factors for long-term LIFT site healing were lateral versus midline location (P = 0.02) and longer mean fistula length (P = 0.02). Patients who had successful operations significantly improved both their mean Wexner Perianal Crohnʼs Disease Activity Index and McMaster Perianal Crohnʼs Disease Activity Index quality-of-life scores at 2-month follow-up (14.0–3.8, P = 0.001, and 10.4–1.8, P = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:CD-associated anal fistulas may be treated with LIFT. This surgical procedure is a safe, outpatient procedure that minimizes both perianal wound creation and sphincter injury.