Among proctological disorders, anal fistula appears to be most controversial about classification and treatment.
Although several surgical procedures have resulted in relatively sufficient outcomes, none of them have resolved completely the problem of post operative dysfunction and other sequales. Adequate procedure with minimum invasion and maximum effectiveness should be chosen, based on careful considerations.
I examined the classifications of anal fistula and adopted Sumikoshi's one, which was most advantageous for planning the treatment. For surgical procedures, five methods were employed as follows : Lay-open method, Submucosal fistulectomy, Parks method, Hanley method, and modified Goligher method.
Two hundred and eighty four cases, treated according to this regimen during the past 5 years, have demonstrated excllent results. Sumikoshi's classification is strongly recom-mended here because it will introduce proper surgical treatment and simplified management even to unexperienced clinicians.
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