LIFT surgery
The acronym LIFT comes from the English term “Ligation of the Intersphincteric Fistula Tract”, which means the ligation of the fistula in the layer between the external and internal sphincter of the rectum.
This type of surgery can be chosen for transsphincteric fistula tracts, i.e. tracts that span both the outer and inner rings of the sphincter apparatus.
The procedure is performed through a small incision, with maximum sparing of the sphincter muscles, to access the space between the intersphincteric muscles, excise the inflamed glandular tissue and ligate the fistula duct.
In a modified LIFT operation, the internal fistula opening into the rectum is cut out with an electric needle and the wound is closed with direct suture or a mucosal flap.
This technique can be added to increase the success rate.