[Anal fistula treatment with seton].

The objectives of anal fistula treatment are to drain sepsis, irradicate the fistulous tract, and to preserve sphincter integrity and function. These goals can be achieved by either fistulotomy or fistulectomy. Alternative techniques include chemical setons, drainage setons, cutting setons and two-stage seton fistulotomy. We have treated 6 cases of trans-sphincteric fistula Parks type 2. The progressive fistulotomy technique was employed with a primary or one-stage cutting seton, as an outpatient procedure and without general anaesthetic. Complete division of the sphincter muscle took 18-27 days. No child presented incontinence or any other complications from the technique employed. No recurrences were observed at the 12 month follow-up. We conclude that the use of cutting setons is a simple and effective technique for the treatment of anal fistula in children, with low complication rates.