Acute paraproctitis and anal fistula in children: A review

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Abstract

Acute paraproctitis and pararectal fistulas are common diseases in infants and adolescents. To date, discussions are ongoing about whether to use conservative or surgical treatment options, their implementation, and the use of antibiotics during the perioperative period. The study is based on a literature review of treating children with this pathology. The databases in Russian eLibrary.ru and English Medline, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched for literature sources. The following keywords were entered into the search: “acute paraproctitis”, “pararectal fistulas”, “fistulotomy”, and “fistulectomy.” There were 155 papers discovered, 51 of which were congruent with the purpose of our study and were evaluated. According to the data presented in the literature review, pararectal fistula is the outcome of acute paraproctitis in 20%–85% of cases. The cause of acute paraproctitis and pararectal fistulas in children is unknown. Imaging methods that allow you to identify all the hidden passages and characterize the relationship between the fistula and the anal sphincter play an important role in diagnosing pararectal fistulas. Cellular technologies are being used as a conservative treatment with established approaches. Incision and drainage are the preferred surgical procedures in treating acute paraproctitis, and fistulotomy is used in pararectal fistulas. Stem cell therapy is described as a promising treatment. Relapses of paraproctitis and/or the establishment of pararectal fistulas occur at a rate ranging from 0% to 85%. Such a large range may be related to the nature of the treatment and how fistulas are classified as relapses or complications. The recurrence of abscesses and anal fistulas is closely related to the type of surgical intervention. If the channel of the anal fistula is not identified and not dissected, the risk of recurrence is relatively high. Based on the findings of the data analysis, it is possible to infer that there is currently no single procedure for treating children with acute paraproctitis and pararectal fistulas. This explains the importance of performing randomized prospective studies to determine the best treatment strategies for children with this pathology.

About the authors

Daria D. Zyuzko

Russian Children’s Clinical Hospital, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: das-yakoven@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9342-2517
SPIN-code: 6121-5842

Pediatric Surgeon

Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow

Olga V. Shcherbakova

Russian Children’s Clinical Hospital, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University

Email: Shcherbakova_o_v@rdkb.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8514-3080
SPIN-code: 3478-8606

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Head of Surgical Department No. 1

Russian Federation, Moscow

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