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.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for FISTULA IN ANO are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Pediatric Surgery
RECRUITINGErlangen, Bavaria, 91054, Germany
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can stem cells harvested during surgery heal Crohn's fistulas?
- Anal fistula surgery showdown: which technique spares continence?
- Could your own blood heal a painful fistula? new trial investigates
- The hidden toll of perianal disease on intimacy and confidence
- Hydrogel patch may seal painful anal fistulas without surgery
- New implant aims to seal anal fistulas without repeat surgery