The Modified Clipped-LIFT Procedure for High Transsphincteric or Suprasphincteric Fistula

The Modified Clipped Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract (Clipped-LIFT) for High Transsphincteric or Suprasphincteric Fistula: a Proof-of-concept Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT07102134

Enrollment

Registered

2025-08-03

Start date

2020-03-01

Completion date

2025-05-15

Last updated

2025-08-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anal Fistula, Anal Fistula Surgery

Keywords

High anal fistula; Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract procedure; Sphincter-preserving; Clipped ligation.

Brief summary

A retrospective analysis was performed on 96 patients who underwent modified LIFT procedures to treat transsphincteric or suprasphincteric fistulas. Two distinct methods were utilized to ligate the internal sphincter side of the intersphincteric tract: one group received conventional ligation with absorbable sutures (Suturing-LIFT, n=74), while the other group was treated with absorbable clips commonly used for vascular or biliary duct occlusion (Clipped-LIFT, n=22). The primary outcome was the one-stage healing rate, which was compared between the two groups, and the safety profile of the clipped-LIFT approach was analyzed. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify potential prognostic factors associated with therapeutic outcomes.

Interventions

PROCEDURESuturing-LIFT procedure

This group received conventional ligation with absorbable sutures

PROCEDUREClipped-LIFT procedure

This group was treated with absorbable clips commonly used for vascular or biliary duct occlusion

Study design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* (1) preoperative pelvic MRI confirming Parks classification; (2) all patients undergoing a modified LIFT procedure, either with suture ligation (suturing-LIFT group) or clip ligation (clipped-LIFT group).

Exclusion criteria

* (1) presence of secondary rectal or anal openings identified as unsuitable for LIFT during postoperative evaluation; (2) lack of clinical outcomes following initial modified LIFT procedure.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
the one-stage healing rate	Complete wound healing without discharge more than 6 months after the modified LIFT procedure

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026