1 Recommendations

1 Recommendations

1.1 Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of radially emitting laser fibre treatment of an anal fistula is limited in quantity and quality. Therefore, although there are no major safety concerns, this procedure should only be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent, and audit or research. Find out what special arrangements mean on the NICE interventional procedures guidance page.

1.2 Clinicians wishing to do radially emitting laser fibre treatment of an anal fistula should:

1.3 The procedure should only be done by clinicians experienced in cannulating fistulas, and who are trained in the use of lasers.

1.4 Further research should report details of patient selection, including fistula size, recurrence rates in the medium and long term, and quality-of-life outcomes.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)