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Original Research | Health and Medical Sciences | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 890 - 898 | India
Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) for Complex Cryptoglandular Fistula-in-Ano: A Prospective Study of Healing Outcomes, Continence Preservation, Pain Reduction, and Functional Recovery
Abstract: Background: Complex fistula-in-ano remains a challenging surgical condition because successful treatment requires eradication of the fistulous tract while preserving anal sphincter function and continence. The Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) procedure has emerged as a promising sphincter-preserving technique for managing complex anal fistulas. Methods: This prospective observational study included 60 patients with complex fistula-in-ano who underwent the LIFT procedure at a tertiary care teaching hospital between March 2024 and November 2025. Primary outcomes included healing and recurrence rates. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), continence preservation assessed using the Wexner incontinence score, time to return to daily activities, time to return to work, and postoperative complications. Results: Transsphincteric fistulas constituted 73.3% of cases. Normal wound healing was achieved in 71.7% of patients, while recurrence occurred in 10.0%. Mean VAS scores decreased significantly from 6.18 ± 1.69 preoperatively to 2.82 ± 1.96 postoperatively (p<0.001). Mean Wexner scores improved from 2.82 ± 1.77 to 1.53 ± 1.63 (p<0.001), with no cases of moderate or severe incontinence. Patients resumed daily activities within 9.12 ± 3.39 days and returned to work within 13.73 ± 4.37 days. Postoperative complications were infrequent and predominantly minor. Conclusion: The LIFT procedure is a safe, effective, and sphincter-preserving treatment for complex fistula-in-ano, providing favorable healing rates, low recurrence, significant pain reduction, continence preservation, and rapid functional recovery.
Keywords: Anal fistula, Complex fistula-in-ano, LIFT procedure, Sphincter-preserving surgery, Continence preservation, Recurrence, Pain reduction, Functional recovery
How to Cite?: Dr. Manik Gedam, Dr. Gunjan Khandait, "Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (LIFT) for Complex Cryptoglandular Fistula-in-Ano: A Prospective Study of Healing Outcomes, Continence Preservation, Pain Reduction, and Functional Recovery", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 890-898, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR26617133637, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR26617133637