Impact of Surgical Timing on Anal Fistula Outcomes

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Conditions studied: Anal Fistula Surgery, Anal Fistula, Surgery Timing

In brief

This study aims to evaluate if the amount of time a person experiences symptoms of an anal fistula before having surgery affects their surgical outcomes and recovery. An anal fistula is a chronic condition that typically requires surgery to heal properly. In routine clinical practice, many patients experience a significant delay before getting surgery due to a variety of reasons, such as under-reporting symptoms, misdiagnosis, or prolonged conservative treatments. Doctors want to understand if this delay in surgical intervention allows ongoing infection and scarring to complicate the surgery and worsen the patient's recovery. To investigate this, researchers will observe 90 adult patients who are undergoing definitive surgery for a primary anal fistula. The participants will be divided into three groups based on how long they had symptoms before their operation: 3 months or less Between 3 and 6 months More than 6 months The main goal of the study is to compare these groups to see how many patients achieve complete clinical healing and how many experience a recurrence (the fistula returning) within 12 months after the surgery. Additionally, the study will track secondary outcomes, including how long it takes the wound to heal completely, any postoperative complications, changes in bowel control (fecal incontinence), pain resolution, and the patient's overall postoperative quality of life. The findings will help inform both doctors and patients on the optimal timing for anal fistula surgery.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07482241

Run by

Assiut University

People needed

90

Starts

2026-05-01

Expected to finish

2028-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-19

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Patients aged 18 years or older diagnosed with primary cryptoglandular anal fistula confirmed by clinical examination and preoperative imaging (MRI).
• Patients who will be undergoing definitive surgical intervention for anal fistula at Assiut University Hospital between 2026 and 2028.
• Complete medical records available, including documented symptom onset date (defined as first reported perianal pain, swelling, or discharge) and surgery date.
• Minimum postoperative follow-up of 12 months, with clinical assessment data on healing and recurrence.

You may not qualify if…

• Fistulas due to Crohn's disease, tuberculosis, malignancy, trauma, radiation, or obstetrical injury.
• Pregnant women.
• Recurrent anal fistulas or those with prior surgical intervention for the same fistula.
• Incomplete records or loss to follow-up before 6 months postoperatively.
• Patients with comorbidities precluding surgery (e.g., uncontrolled coagulopathy or active systemic infection).

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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