✦ SPHINCTER-SPARING FISTULA SURGERY

LIFT Procedure

Q: Will LIFT affect my continence?

No. LIFT is specifically designed to preserve the sphincter muscle completely. Continence is fully maintained, which is one of the major advantages of this technique.

Q: What if LIFT does not work?

If LIFT is not successful, options such as advancement flap, laser closure (FiLaC), VAAFT, or repeat seton may be considered. The procedure can also sometimes be safely repeated.

Q: How long is the recovery?

Most patients return to office work within a week. Sitz baths, light dressings, and a high-fibre diet support comfortable healing over 3–4 weeks.

Q: Is LIFT suitable for all fistulas?

LIFT is best for transsphincteric fistulas with a well-defined, matured tract. Very high, very low, or extensively branching fistulas may need other techniques. Dr. Tejasree decides the best option after detailed evaluation.

Modern sphincter-sparing surgery — the fistula tract is identified and tied off in the intersphincteric space, completely preserving the sphincter muscle for full continence.

45–60 min PROCEDURE

Day Care – 1 Day HOSPITAL STAY

>75% SUCCESS RATE

1 Week RETURN TO WORK

What is LIFT Procedure?

LIFT (Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract) is a modern, sphincter-sparing surgical technique for transsphincteric anal fistulas. A small incision is made between the internal and external sphincter muscles (intersphincteric groove), the fistula tract is identified, ligated on both sides and divided. This preserves the sphincter muscle completely while curing the fistula. As a female proctologist in Hyderabad, Dr. Tejasree Vengala performs LIFT at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad, offering an excellent option for patients who want full continence preservation.

Suitable for transsphincteric anal fistulas with a well-defined tract, particularly when fistulotomy would risk significant sphincter damage and the tract has matured after seton drainage.

How the Procedure Works

Anaesthesia & Positioning

Surgery is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia. The patient is positioned in lithotomy or prone position.

Intersphincteric Incision

A small curved incision is made over the intersphincteric groove, where the internal and external sphincters meet.

Tract Identification

The fistula tract is carefully identified between the sphincters using gentle dissection and a probe.

Ligation & Division

The tract is ligated with absorbable sutures on both the internal and external sides, then divided in the middle.

Closure & Recovery

The intersphincteric wound is closed, the external opening curetted and left to heal naturally. Patients usually go home the same day or next.

Outcomes

45–60 minDURATION

Day Care – 1 DayHOSPITAL STAY

>75%SUCCESS RATE

3–4 WeeksFULL RECOVERY

Who Needs This Treatment?

→Complete sphincter preservation — full continence maintained
→Effective for transsphincteric fistulas
→Day-care or short-stay procedure
→Quick return to work in about a week
→Can be repeated or combined with other techniques if needed
→Discreet, sensitive care by a female proctologist

LIFT is a wonderfully thoughtful operation — by working between the sphincters, we can divide the fistula and protect every fibre of the muscle. For young women especially, where preserving continence is paramount, it is often the most respectful, balanced choice.

— — Dr. Tejasree Vengala, Consultant Proctologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Will LIFT affect my continence?+

What if LIFT does not work?+

How long is the recovery?+

Is LIFT suitable for all fistulas?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

Book a consultation with Dr. Tejasree Vengala and get a personalised treatment plan.

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