CONTINENCE DISORDERS AFTER ANAL FISTULOTOMY

PURPOSE: This study was designed to detect factors that predict the oc currence of continence disorders after anal fistulotomy. METHODS: A re trospective study of the charts of 312 patients was undertaken. A ques tionnaire was sent to all patients, with a response rate of 90 percent . RESULTS: Minor continence disorders occurred in 73 patients, inconti nence did not occur. Multivariate analysis (chi-squared test) was perf ormed showing that extensions (P = 0.008), location (P = 0.03), and le vel (P = 0.029) of the anal opening appeared to be independent factors . CONCLUSION: Patients with high openings, posterior openings, or fist ula extensions are at risk to develop continence disorders after anal fistulotomy.