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Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The exact identification of the internal opening in the surgical treatment of anorectal fistulae is of basic importance for effective management, and the same concept was existed long back which was described by Acharya Sushruta in the context of Bhagandar (Arvachina and Parachina). In the current practice, the rule of Goodsall enables identification of the internal opening whether anterior or posterior with relation to its external opening.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this study is to substantiate the accuracy of Goodsall's rule and to establish rationality of the rule with anatomical consideration

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 53 operated (kshara sutra ligation) cases of fistula-in-ano during 2014–2015 were retrospectively assessed for locations of the primary (Arvachina) and secondary (Parachina) openings from the case sheets. The normal distribution test was used for the data analysis.

RESULTS:

Totally 46 anal fistula patients followed the Goodsall's rule while 7 patients were not as per rule, and all of them were falling in anterior external opening group.

CONCLUSION:

Posterior external opening fistulas were as per Goodsall's rule and anterior opening >3.25 cm or far had a straight or radial fistulous tract, which are against the Goodsall's rule.

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151

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154

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