Cutting seton for anal fistulas

Abstract

Cutting seton yields fairly good results in regard to cure of fistula, but the risk of anal incontinence, despite its minor degree, seems to be too high to recommend its routine use for all high fistulas. The suprasphincteric fistulas and some extrasphincteric fistulas are difficult to treat otherwise, but especially for high transsphincteric fistulas, other methods of treatment (preferably those in which sphincter division can be avoided and the risk of anal canal deformity and incontinence are minimized) are advocated.