The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1): 65-70.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.01.011

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Feasibility of modified LIFT guided by magnetic resonance imaging in the treatment of deep anorectal abscess

Zhilong SI,Hao WANG,Fei XIAO()   

  1. Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery,Wuhan Fourth Hospital,Wuhan 430032,Hubei,China
  • Received:2024-10-10 Online:2025-01-10 Published:2025-01-14
  • Contact: Fei XIAO E-mail:xiaofei74567@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of magnetic resonance?guided modified ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract in the treatment of deep anorectal abscess. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 148 patients with deep anorectal abscess treated at our hospital from September 2019 to June 2023, who met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 51 patients in the observation group underwent modified LIFT, while 97 patients in the control group received incision and drainage. Using propensity score matching, 47 patients from each group with balanced baseline characteristics were selected, resulting in a total of 94 patients being included in the analysis. The study compared operation time, hospital stay, pain index, postoperative complications, anal function, and healing rate between the two groups. Results Primary lesions originating in the sphincter space were identified through preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in all 94 patients. The mean operation time for the observation group was (43.75 ± 11.77) minutes, significantly longer than that of the control group at (28.90 ± 8.67) minutes (P < 0.05). At three months post?surgery, the healing rate in the observation group was 80.9%, which was significantly higher than the 57.4% observed in the control group (P < 0.05). Among patients with fistulas in the observation group, the healing rate was 73.1%, although this difference was not statistically significant in the univariate analysis of clinical characteristics (P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the length of hospital stay, pain index, postoperative complications, or anal function (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Modified LIFT guided by MRI can be conditionally applied in the treatment of deep anorectal abscesses. This approach can enhance the initial surgical healing rate without significantly increasing the incidence of postoperative complications, thereby avoiding potential damage to anal function.

Key words: anorectal abscess, magnetic resonance imaging, ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract, closure of internal opening, seton, propensity score matching

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