Fibrin glue treatment of low rectal and pouch-anal anastomotic sinuses.

PURPOSE

This report describes a treatment method for patients with persistent anastomostic sinuses in which fibrin glue is used.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of seven patients with radiologically documented sinus tracts after restorative proctocolectomy or low rectal anastomosis was managed with fibrin glue obliteration of the tract. The sinus was gently debrided with a curette and then filled with fibrin glue. Postoperatively, the patients received metronidazole 1.5 g per day in divided doses for one week. Outpatient examination of the internal opening was performed at 1, 3, and 12 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS

In all patients, healing of the sinus was observed after one week. After an average of 11.2 months (range, 3-15) of follow-up there were no recurrences and no episodes of pelvic sepsis.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of this experience, we believe that fibrin glue injection may be an alternative method of managing pelvic anastomotic sinuses.