Tiny trial aims to end repeat surgeries for kids with anal fistula

NCT ID NCT05666609

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looks at how long a soft silicone loop (seton) should remain in the fistula tract to treat anal fistula in children aged 0-18. The loop is placed under anesthesia to drain infection and allow healing without cutting the muscle. The goal is to find the best timing to prevent the fistula from coming back or forming an abscess. Only 20 children will take part, and there is no comparison group, so results are preliminary.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

non-cutting silicone seton (a soft loop placed through the fistula tract to drain infection and promote healing)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could establish a standard treatment duration for seton placement in children, reducing the chance of fistula recurrence and repeat surgeries.

What could go wrong

This is a very small early trial (20 children) with no comparison group, so results may not apply broadly. The seton procedure itself carries risks of infection or discomfort.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anal fistula

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Pediatric Surgery

    RECRUITING

    Erlangen, Bavaria, 91054, Germany

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••