Anal Fistula Plug for High-type Anal Fistulae
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00487071 |
Recruitment Status :
Terminated
(No financial support)
First Posted : June 15, 2007
Last Update Posted : February 13, 2014
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
High-type Anal Fistulae | Device: Anal fistula plug | Not Applicable |
An anal fistula is an abnormal communication between the anal or rectal lumen and the perianal skin. Anal fistulae are described according to the level at which they transgress the anal sphincter. If the internal opening begins above the anal sphincter then the fistula is described as 'high'. Traditional surgery for high-type anal fistulae often requires staged operations with fistulotomy and seton insertion. The surgery usually results in large and deep wounds which can take months to heal. Moreover, risk of faecal incontinence is inevitable because part of the anal sphincter is divided during the surgery.
The Surgisis® anal fistula plug is a minimally invasive and sphincter-preserving alternative to traditional fistula surgery. It is a newly developed biomaterial made from complex collagen obtained from pigs - animals that have a collagen structure almost identical to that of human tissue. During manufacturing of the plug, living cells are removed by special processes to help ensure that no transmittable diseases are present in the tissue. The plug is a conical device and is placed by drawing it through the fistula tract and suturing it in place. As pig collagen is so similar to human collagen, the plug, once implanted, incorporates naturally over time into the human tissue (human cells and tissues will 'grow' into the plug), thus facilitating the closure of the fistula. Preliminary clinical data from USA showed a high fistula closure rate of 87%. The anal fistula plug can also avoid protracted postoperative wound care and minimise the risk of faecal incontinence.
We would like to carry out a pilot study, the aim of which is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this new anal fistula plug in the management of high-type anal fistulae. This is believed to be the first study of its kind in Hong Kong.
Patients with high-type anal fistulae confirmed by MRI will be recruited into this study. Patients with previous history of fistula surgery, patients with Crohn's disease, and patients with known allergy to porcine material will be excluded. EUA + anal fistula plug will be performed. Outcome measures include fistula healing rate, recurrence rate, and morbidity. Follow-up MRI will be arranged at 3 months and 6 months after the operation to objectively evaluate the healing of the fistulae.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 10 participants |
Allocation: | N/A |
Intervention Model: | Single Group Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Efficacy of Anal Fistula Plug in the Management of High-type Anal Fistulae: a Pilot Study |
Study Start Date : | August 2006 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | February 2014 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | February 2014 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Anal fistula plug |
Device: Anal fistula plug |
- Fistula healing rate and time for fistula closure [ Time Frame: Up to 1 year ]
- Fistula recurrence rate [ Time Frame: Up to 1 year ]
- Morbidity [ Time Frame: Up to 1 year ]

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients with high-type anal fistulae confirmed by MRI
- Informed consent available
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with previous fistula surgery
- Patients with Crohn's disease
- Patients allergic to porcine material

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00487071
China | |
Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital | |
Hong Kong SAR, China |
Principal Investigator: | Simon SM Ng, FRCSEd (Gen) | Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Responsible Party: | Simon S. M. Ng, Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00487071 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
CRE-2006.274 |
First Posted: | June 15, 2007 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | February 13, 2014 |
Last Verified: | February 2014 |
Anal fistula High-type Anal fistula plug Efficacy Recurrence |
Rectal Fistula Fistula Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Intestinal Fistula Digestive System Fistula |
Digestive System Diseases Intestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Rectal Diseases |