Video Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT) for Treating a Complex Posttraumatic Anal Fistula: Case Report

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Very good

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Very good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Very good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Very good

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Very good

Comments: The case description is adequate. The Discussion section is well supported with the observations presented in this report and the relevant literature is adequately discussed. It demonstrates the clinical benefits and efficacy of video assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) over any other traditional surgical techniques for the treatment of complex post-traumatic trans-sphincteric fistula. On the other hand, due to the failure of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in diagnosing the actual size of the fistula, further studies are required to validate the diagnostic reliability of MR.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Very good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Excellent

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Good

Comments:

·       The word “sphincteric” is misspelled in several places throughout the text section of the article.

·       The 3^rd sentence of the 1^st paragraph of the Discussion should be rephrased as “The complete eradication of these infections and the hermetic closure of the internal opening are also essential, just to prevent the passage of faecal material through the fistula pathway.”

Further comments on the paper

Comments: This case report describes a case of a 60-year-old male presented with a gluteal abscess, a high trans-sphincteric anal fistula and a large second abscess located in the right ischiorectal fossa. This study highlights the clinical effectiveness of video assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) in case of complex post-traumatic anal fistula with no reported complications. This minimally invasive technique is safe and it enables direct visualization of anal fistula from inside. No significant continence worsening or sphincter damages have been reported. This study also provides significant information on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging which fails to assess the actual size of the fistula. Therefore, further studies need to be conducted to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of MR.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

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Science Repository Team