Transanal opening of the intersphincteric space (TROPIS): a novel procedure on the horizon to effectively manage high complex anal fistulas

Ann Coloproctol. 2024 Feb;40(1):74-81. doi: 10.3393/ac.2022.01263.0180. Epub 2023 Oct 24.ABSTRACTAnal fistulas, especially complex and high fistulas, are difficult to manage. The transanal opening of the intersphincteric space (TROPIS) procedure was first described in 2017, and a high success rate of over 90% was reported in high complex fistulas. Since then, more studies and even a meta-analysis have corroborated the high efficacy of this procedure in high fistulas. Conventionally, the main focus was to close the internal (primary) opening for the fistula to heal. However, most complex fistulas have a component of the fistula tract in the intersphincteric plane. This component is like an abscess (sepsis) in a closed space (2 muscle layers). It is a well-known fact that in the presence of sepsis, healing by secondary intention leads to better results than attempting to heal by primary intention. Therefore, TROPIS is the first procedure in which, instead of closing the internal opening, the opening is widened by laying open the fistula tract in the intersphincteric plane so that healing can occur by secondary intention. Although the drainage of high intersphincteric abscesses through the transanal route was described 5 decades ago, the routine utilization of TROPIS for the definitive management of high complex fistulas was first described in 2017. The external anal sphincter (EAS) is completely spared in TROPIS, as the fistula tract on either side of the EAS is managed separat...

Source: Annals of Coloproctology - February 28, 2024 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Pankaj Garg Anvesha Mongia Source Type: research