Fistulectomy is a surgical procedure where a surgeon completely removes a fistula, an abnormal tract (i.e. tube) that connects two hollow spaces of the body.
[2] In this case, fistulectomies may compromise a patient's anal sphincter, as the removal process may necessitate the surgeon to cut through the muscle.
[3] Based on guidelines published by the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ASCRS) in 2016, simple and complex anal fistulas were to be treated by fistulotomy or rubber band seton placement with fistulectomies being a secondary option.
[6] The wound can then be left open to heal or closed by approximating the tissue back to its anatomic position with sutures.
[6] As described above, when a fistulectomy is performed to remove an anorectal fistula tract that involves the anal sphincters, a common complication that may occur is fecal incontinence.