What do systematic reviews say?

Fistulotomy vs Fistulectomy

Fistulotomy showed no clear difference in incontinence compared with fistulectomy (moderate certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.26 [0.02, 2.72]
  1 study · 45 participants
  Moderate

Island flap anoplasty vs Conventional fistulotomy / seton

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 20 participants
  High

Island flap anoplasty vs Conventional fistulotomy / seton

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 20 participants
  High

IAS preserving seton vs Conventional seton

IAS preserving seton showed no clear difference in incontinence compared with conventional seton (moderate certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.41 [0.03, 5.03]
  1 study · 34 participants
  Moderate

Ayurvedic seton vs Conventional fistulotomy

Ayurvedic seton showed no clear difference in recurrence compared with conventional fistulotomy (moderate certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.38 [0.02, 9.64]
  1 study · 100 participants
  Moderate

Ayurvedic seton vs Conventional fistulotomy

Ayurvedic seton showed no clear difference in incontinence compared with conventional fistulotomy (moderate certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 2.07 [0.47, 9.19]
  1 study · 100 participants
  Moderate

Fibrin glue vs Conventional fistulotomy / seton

Fibrin glue showed no clear difference in recurrence simple fistula compared with conventional fistulotomy / seton (moderate certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 15 [0.6, 376.7]
  1 study · 13 participants
  Moderate

Fibrin glue vs Conventional fistulotomy / seton

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 13 participants
  High

Radiofrequency vs Conventional fistula surgery

Radiofrequency showed no clear difference in recurrence compared with conventional fistula surgery (low certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.73 [0.15, 3.48]
  2 studies · 122 participants
  Low

Radiofrequency vs Conventional fistula surgery

Radiofrequency showed no clear difference in incontinence compared with conventional fistula surgery (moderate certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.44 [0.14, 1.41]
  2 studies · 122 participants
  Moderate

Fistulotomy vs Marsupialization fistulotomy

Fistulotomy showed no clear difference in recurrence compared with marsupialization fistulotomy (moderate certainty).

• Surgical intervention for anorectal fistula 2010 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 1.26 [0.27, 5.97]
  2 studies · 137 participants
  Moderate