Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Manuscript ID	120621
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Randomized Controlled Trial
Article Title	Modified anal fistula clip: A safe and effective alternative to incision and thread hanging for anal fistula
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Ying Han, Xiao-Li Fang, Kun Tang, Ran Tang, Xian-Shui Mei, Run Zhang, Li Chen, Jian-Min Wang and Ming Li
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province 2408085MH227 Chinese Medicine Advantageous Specialty Project of Anhui Province Clinical Medical Research Transformation Project of Anhui Province 202427b10020014 Clinical Research Foundation of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine 2020yfyzc42
Corresponding Author	Ming Li, MD, Department of Anorectal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 116 Meishan Street, Hefei 230031, Anhui Province, China. lmyys154@163.com
Key Words	Anal fistula clip; Incision and thread hanging treatment; Anal fistula; Anal sphincter function; Postoperative pain; Complications
Core Tip	This exploratory study compared the anal fistula clip (AFC) with conventional incision and thread hanging in 70 patients with anal fistulas. Both techniques achieved high short-term cure rates, with AFC demonstrating early postoperative pain reduction, faster wound healing, and better function preservation of. No recurrences were observed during the follow-up period, although these findings were preliminary. By directly closing the internal orifice through sustained centripetal compression, the AFC interrupts infection source while minimizing sphincter injury. Therefore, AFC may be a safe, minimally invasive, and function-preserving alternative for anal fistula management, warranting further investigation in larger and long-term studies.
Citation	Han Y, Fang XL, Tang K, Tang R, Mei XS, Zhang R, Chen L, Wang JM, Li M. Modified anal fistula clip: A safe and effective alternative to incision and thread hanging for anal fistula. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; In press

Received	2026-03-06 10:00
Peer-Review Started	2026-03-06 10:00
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-03-20 09:48
Return for Revision	2026-03-20 09:48
Revised	2026-04-01 16:45
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-04-08 02:45
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-08 06:21
Articles in Press	2026-04-08 06:21
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-9366 (online)
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