Fistula-in-ano is a benign anorectal disease which always poses a big dilemma to the surgeons
because of their significant recurrent rate following surgery. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study
involving 42 patients undergoing core out fistulectomy in the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan,
Pahang, Malaysia were included in this study. Demographic data of patients were assessed. Endoanal
ultrasound (EAUS) was done prior to the surgery to determine types of fistula and classified using Park’s
classification. Follow up was made post-operatively at 4th week, 2nd month, 3rd month, 4th month, 5th month
and 6th month to look for the duration of healing or recurrence. Results: 5 out of 42 patients were lost to
follow up leaving 37 patients available for the analysis. Mean age of the patient was 38.4 (13.8) years old.
Transphincteric and intersphincteric type of fistula accounted for 54.5% and 40.1%, respectively. 62.2%
(n=23) of patients achieved primary healing after the procedure. The mean for healing duration was 3.7
(3.1) months. Recurrence of the disease was seen only in 37.8% (n=14) of the patients. Conclusions: Even
though we managed to achieve significant success rate cumulatively, recurrence of fistula still impose a
significant challenge toward patient’s management. Therefore, further prospective study with a bigger
sample size is recommended to look into this method to reduce recurrence of fistula.