Abstract
Objective: To undertake a randomised comparison of the Biodesign Surgisis® anal fistula plug against surgeon’s preference in treating cryptoglandular transsphincteric fistula-in-ano.
Summary Background Data: The efficacy of the Biodesign Surgisis® anal fistula plug in healing anal fistulae is uncertain.
Methods: Participants were randomised to the fistula plug with surgeon’s preference (advancement flap, cutting seton, fistulotomy, LIFT procedure). The primary outcome was faecal incontinence quality of life (FIQoL) at 12-months. Secondary outcomes were fistula healing, incontinence rates, and complication and re-intervention rates.
Results: Between May 2011 and March 2016, 304 participants were randomised to fistula plug or surgeon’s preference. No differences were seen in FIQoL between the two groups at 12-months. Clinical fistula healing was reported in 66/122 (54%) of the fistula plug and 66/119 (55%) of the surgeon’s preference groups at 12-months. Faecal incontinence rates improved marginally in both groups. Complications and re-interventions were frequent, with significantly more complications in the fistula plug group at 6-weeks (49/142, 35% vs. 25/137, 18%; p=0.002). The mean total costs were £2,738 (s.d. £1,151) for the fistula plug and £2,308 (s.d. £1,228) for the surgeon’s preference group (mean difference +£430, p=0.0174). The average total QALYs gained was marginally higher in the fistula plug group. The fistula plug was 35% - 45% likely to be cost-effective across a willingness to pay threshold of £20,000-£30,000 / QALY.
Conclusions: The Biodesign Surgisis® anal fistula plug is associated with similar FIQoL and healing rates to surgeon’s preference at 12-months. Higher costs and highly uncertain gains in QALYs mean that the fistula plug may not be considered as a cost-effective treatment in the UK NHS.
Summary Background Data: The efficacy of the Biodesign Surgisis® anal fistula plug in healing anal fistulae is uncertain.
Methods: Participants were randomised to the fistula plug with surgeon’s preference (advancement flap, cutting seton, fistulotomy, LIFT procedure). The primary outcome was faecal incontinence quality of life (FIQoL) at 12-months. Secondary outcomes were fistula healing, incontinence rates, and complication and re-intervention rates.
Results: Between May 2011 and March 2016, 304 participants were randomised to fistula plug or surgeon’s preference. No differences were seen in FIQoL between the two groups at 12-months. Clinical fistula healing was reported in 66/122 (54%) of the fistula plug and 66/119 (55%) of the surgeon’s preference groups at 12-months. Faecal incontinence rates improved marginally in both groups. Complications and re-interventions were frequent, with significantly more complications in the fistula plug group at 6-weeks (49/142, 35% vs. 25/137, 18%; p=0.002). The mean total costs were £2,738 (s.d. £1,151) for the fistula plug and £2,308 (s.d. £1,228) for the surgeon’s preference group (mean difference +£430, p=0.0174). The average total QALYs gained was marginally higher in the fistula plug group. The fistula plug was 35% - 45% likely to be cost-effective across a willingness to pay threshold of £20,000-£30,000 / QALY.
Conclusions: The Biodesign Surgisis® anal fistula plug is associated with similar FIQoL and healing rates to surgeon’s preference at 12-months. Higher costs and highly uncertain gains in QALYs mean that the fistula plug may not be considered as a cost-effective treatment in the UK NHS.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 433-441 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Annals of surgery |
| Volume | 273 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 9 Jun 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2021 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery