The Songdo consensus: Development of minimum reporting standards for studies of intervention in idiopathic anal fistula using a modified nominal group technique

Joshi S, Hanna L, Cho DH, Garg P, Glyn T, Gurland B, Hwang DY, Kim K, Kotze PG, Lee JK, Lightner AL, Matzel K, Sahnan K, Seow-Choen F, Shafik A, Won D, Zimmerman DD, Tozer PJ (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Colorectal Disease Wiley

Book Volume: 27

Article Number: e17300

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1111/codi.17300

Abstract

Aim: Cryptoglandular anal fistulas carry a substantial burden to quality of life. Surgery is the only effective curative treatment but requires balancing fistula healing against pain, wounds and continence impairment. Sphincter-preserving procedures do exist but demonstrate variable rates of success. A lack of consistency and precision in outcome reporting and methodological quality hinders effective evidence-based decision-making. We aimed to establish a series of minimum reporting standards for interventional studies in idiopathic anal fistula, to eradicate low-quality studies, thus providing a consistent baseline of useful evidence. Methods: An international group of 16 experts participated in a modified nominal group technique consensus. The nominal question was: ‘What should be the minimum set of reporting standards for studies of intervention in idiopathic anal fistula?’ The process was conducted between May and June 2023, culminating in a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting that took place at the Songdo International Proctology Symposium in June 2023. Results: Initial idea generation resulted in 37 statements within the first round. Themes included variable reporting of follow-up and incontinence. Participants indicated their agreement via a 9-point Likert scale. Any statement achieving >70% consensus was retained. Subsequent group discussion condensed the list to 11 statements for further voting and a final minimum set of 12 reporting standards was created. Conclusion: To date, this is the first study dedicated to developing minimum reporting standards for interventional studies in idiopathic anal fistula using a modified nominal group technique. These standards will instruct researchers in producing meticulous, high-quality studies that are accurate, transparent and reproducible.

Authors with CRIS profile

Klaus Matzel Lehrstuhl für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie

Involved external institutions

Songdo Hospital / 서울송도병원 KR Korea, Republic of (KR) Garg Fistula Research Institute IN India (IN) University of Otago NZ New Zealand (NZ) Stanford University US United States (USA) (US) Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR) / Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná BR Brazil (BR) Imperial College London / The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine GB United Kingdom (GB) Scripps Health US United States (USA) (US) St. Mark's Hospital GB United Kingdom (GB) National University of Singapore (NUS) SG Singapore (SG) Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Joshi, S., Hanna, L., Cho, D.H., Garg, P., Glyn, T., Gurland, B.,... Tozer, P.J. (2025). The Songdo consensus: Development of minimum reporting standards for studies of intervention in idiopathic anal fistula using a modified nominal group technique. Colorectal Disease, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.17300

MLA:

Joshi, Shivani, et al. "The Songdo consensus: Development of minimum reporting standards for studies of intervention in idiopathic anal fistula using a modified nominal group technique." Colorectal Disease 27.1 (2025).

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