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The role of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients presenting with fistula-in-ano: an observational study
Dharmabandhu Nandadeva Samarasekera
University of Colombo
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2229-7549
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Objective: Flexible sigmoidoscopy is useful to look for an underlying aetiology in fistula-in-ano. This study was aimed to assess the yield of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients presenting with fistula-in-ano. A retrospective analysis of 159 consecutive patients with fistula-in-ano who underwent routine flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed. Sigmoidoscopy findings were recorded on a standard uniform format using a computer database. Those with a known aetiology were excluded.
Results: The median age was 39(range:14-74) years and the majority were males(n=128,80.5%). Forty-nine patients(30.8%) presented with a recurrent fistula-in-ano. On flexible sigmoidoscopy, internal opening was seen in only 23 patients (14.4%). Furthermore, incidental findings of haemorrhoids (n=5, 3.1%) and polyps (n=7, 4.4%) were found. One patient(0.6%) had a healed anal fissure, 5 patients(3.1%) had inflamed mucosa and 2 patients(1.3%) had ulcers. Only two patients with inflamed mucosa were diagnosed to have Crohn’s disease on histology. Therefore, flexible sigmoidoscopy was not helpful in the majority to locate the internal opening. Only two patients had evidence of an underlying aetiology, which was Crohn’s disease. However, they had recurrent complex fistulae and other associated symptoms. Therefore, flexible sigmoidoscopy may be reserved for selected group of patients with symptoms of an underlying aetiology.
Keywords
Anal fistula, fistula-in-ano, flexible sigmoidoscopy, yield
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Research Notes. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research note
The role of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients presenting with fistula-in-ano: an observational study
Dharmabandhu Nandadeva Samarasekera
University of Colombo
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2229-7549
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 2
Posted 12 Apr, 2020
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 06 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 05 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 05 Apr, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 30 Mar, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 28 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 19 Mar, 2020
Editor assigned
On 10 Mar, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 10 Mar, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 10 Mar, 2020
Editor invited
On 10 Mar, 2020
First submitted
On 09 Mar, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Objective: Flexible sigmoidoscopy is useful to look for an underlying aetiology in fistula-in-ano. This study was aimed to assess the yield of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients presenting with fistula-in-ano. A retrospective analysis of 159 consecutive patients with fistula-in-ano who underwent routine flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed. Sigmoidoscopy findings were recorded on a standard uniform format using a computer database. Those with a known aetiology were excluded.
Results: The median age was 39(range:14-74) years and the majority were males(n=128,80.5%). Forty-nine patients(30.8%) presented with a recurrent fistula-in-ano. On flexible sigmoidoscopy, internal opening was seen in only 23 patients (14.4%). Furthermore, incidental findings of haemorrhoids (n=5, 3.1%) and polyps (n=7, 4.4%) were found. One patient(0.6%) had a healed anal fissure, 5 patients(3.1%) had inflamed mucosa and 2 patients(1.3%) had ulcers. Only two patients with inflamed mucosa were diagnosed to have Crohn’s disease on histology. Therefore, flexible sigmoidoscopy was not helpful in the majority to locate the internal opening. Only two patients had evidence of an underlying aetiology, which was Crohn’s disease. However, they had recurrent complex fistulae and other associated symptoms. Therefore, flexible sigmoidoscopy may be reserved for selected group of patients with symptoms of an underlying aetiology.