IMPROVING HEALING AND CONTINENCE IN COMPLEX FISTULAS OF THE ANORECTUM: A PROSPECTIVE SURGICAL ANALYSIS

This article presents a comparative analysis of traditional versus minimally invasive techniques in the surgical management of complex rectal fistulas. The study included 114 patients, with 59 treated using a novel sphincter-preserving LigaSure-based method and 55 managed with conventional techniques (seton, advancement flap). The LigaSure group demonstrated significantly shorter operative times, reduced intraoperative blood loss, faster wound healing, and lower recurrence (5%) and fecal incontinence rates (0%). These findings support the clinical efficacy and functional safety of the LigaSure-assisted approach, making it a promising option for managing complex fistula-in-ano in proctological practice.