TREATMENT OF PERIANAL FISTULAS WITH ND-YAG LASER - RESULTS IN 20 CASES

Excision of perianal fistulas using a 1.064 micron wavelength neodymiu m:yttrium aluminum garnet (ND:YAG) contact tipped laser with primary w ound closure was used to treat 20 dogs with perianal fistulas. Overall , 19 of 20 (95%) dogs had resolution of fistulas after one or more ND: YAG treatments. The period of resolution ranged from 10 to 42 months w ith a mean of 22.9 months. Sixteen of 20 (80%) dogs had resolved fistu las after one laser excision. Three of the four recurrences underwent additional laser treatments with successful results. The total number of laser procedures ranged from one to three with a mean of 1.2 proced ures. Postoperatively, anal tone as judged by digital rectal examinati on was reduced in about 60% of the cases, but clinical evidence of fec al incontinence only occurred in four of 20 cases. This was managed ef fectively with diet modification. The tendency toward loss of anal ton e or fecal incontinence depended on the severity of preexisting anal s tenosis. On a client survey, 19 of 20 owners believed that their anima ls experienced less pain during defecation after surgery and rated the results as excellent or good. The overall success rate using ND:YAG l aser excision compared very favorably with previously reported studies of other methods of treatment for perianal fistulas in dogs. (C)Copyr ight 1995 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons