Postoperative pain following laser fistula closure versus ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract: A prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Prior studies focus primarily on surgical outcomes of anal fistula treatment, such as healing rates, rather than patient-reported outcomes, such as postoperative pain, which could influence surgical choice.

Objective: To compare pain scores at 6 and 24 h postoperatively between laser closure and ligation of the intersphincteric tract for anal fistula.

Design: Prospective, double-blinded randomized controlled trial.