Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Manuscript ID	110143
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Cohort Study
Article Title	Enhanced surgical management of complex anal fistulas via integrated traditional Chinese medicine: A retrospective cohort study
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Ji-Feng Liu, Yu Wang, Xue-Song Peng and Qing-Long Li
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Qing-Long Li, Department of Anorectal Diseases of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital Chongqing Hospital (Qijiang District People’s Hospital), No. 54 Tuowan Branch Road, Gunan Town, Qijiang District, Chongqing 401420, China. 19123401518@163.com
Key Words	Anal fistula; Surgical treatment; Optimized strategy; Therapeutic efficacy; Retrospective analysis
Core Tip	In 132 patients with complex anal fistulas, this retrospective cohort study compared traditional Chinese medicine-integrated surgical treatment with conventional seton drainage. The integrated approach produced better results. Faster healing (21.5 days vs 28.3 days), less problems (10% vs 20%), decreased recurrence rates (2.9% vs 11.3%), and improved patient satisfaction are some of the main benefits. These results provide a viable therapeutic paradigm for situations where traditional methods prove ineffective, supporting the clinical acceptance of evidence-based traditional Chinese medicine integration in difficult anal fistula therapy.
Citation	Liu JF, Wang Y, Peng XS, Li QL. Enhanced surgical management of complex anal fistulas via integrated traditional Chinese medicine: A retrospective cohort study. World J Gastrointest Surg 2025; In press

Received	2025-06-13 09:50
Peer-Review Started	2025-06-13 09:50
To Make the First Decision
Return for Revision	2025-07-08 06:36
Revised	2025-07-23 08:25
Second Decision	2025-09-19 02:40
Accepted by Journal Editor-in-Chief
Accepted by Executive Editor-in-Chief	2025-09-19 03:40
Articles in Press	2025-09-19 03:40
Publication Fee Transferred	2025-07-28 01:36
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-9366 (online)
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