Effectiveness and safety of using cable tie as cutting seton for the treatment of anal fistulas

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the use of cable tie as cutting seton technique for the treatment of anal fistulas in patients between 2012 and 2024 at Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad.

Methods: Observational, analytical, longitudinal, retrospective study; in patients with anal fistula diagnosis who underwent surgical resolution with the use of cable tie as a cutting seton in the Coloproctology Unit at Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad between 2012 to 2024 who met inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: 42 patients are included for the study. From the epidemiological point of view there was a prevalence of the male sex (90,48%), the age average was 45 years old (range from 22 to 72). Regarding diagnosis, 13 patients presented acutely associated with abscess of the deep postanal space, the remaining 29 patients presented chronicallu. The average duration of the seton until the end of the treatment was 89 days. All adjustments were performed in an outpatient setting, without anesthesia, without complications. In 28 patients (66,67%) the seton was expelled spontaneously. All patients were followed up in consultation 1 year after removal, none of them presented complications (recurrence or incontinence).