Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	121507
Country	China

Category	Surgery
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Cohort Study
Article Title	Fistulotomy under general anesthesia in infants and toddlers: A retrospective cohort study on perioperative safety and long-term recurrence
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Xue-Cheng Zhang, Huang-Fu Ma, Zhang-Yun Zhou, Li-Na Zhang, Fang Kong, Yan-Mei Wang, Xin-Bo Song and Yue Wang
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Independent Research Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital No. 2024-ZF-31
Corresponding Author	Yue Wang, MD, PhD, Department of Proctology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 Yinghuayuan East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China. wangyue@zryhyy.com.cn
Key Words	Fistula-in-ano; Anal fistula; Fistulotomy; Infants; Toddlers; General anesthesia
Core Tip	Infants and toddlers differ in fistula location patterns and surgical outcomes, likely reflecting the distinct developmental pathological processes that evolve in early childhood. Our study reveals Fistulotomy under general anesthesia appears to be a safe and effective option for infants/toddlers with fistula-in-ano, with low recurrence rate and a negligible impact on fecal continence. Given this favorable safety record, the potential risks of general anesthesia should be balanced against the benefits of definitive treatment, and necessary surgical intervention should not be postponed because of anesthesia concerns.
Citation	Zhang XC, Ma HF, Zhou ZY, Zhang LN, Kong F, Wang YM, Song XB, Wang Y. Fistulotomy under general anesthesia in infants and toddlers: A retrospective cohort study on perioperative safety and long-term recurrence. World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press

Received	2026-04-02 09:44
Peer-Review Started	2026-04-02 09:44
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-15 07:49
Return for Revision	2026-04-15 07:49
Revised	2026-04-30 04:35
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-05-20 02:41
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-05-20 08:48
Articles in Press	2026-05-20 08:48
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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