Garg Classification for Anal Fistulas: Is It Better than Existing Classifications?—a Review

Abstract

Classifying a disease is important as it helps in categorizing the disease according to its severity and also guide the treating physician regarding the management of the disease. There are three classifications in vogue for fistula-in-ano—Parks, St James university hospital, and Standard Practice Task Force classification. These existing classifications were compared with the recently proposed Garg classification. The grading of earlier three classifications do not correlate with the severity of the disease and also does not provide any input about the management. Garg classification correlate quite well with the disease severity and also guides the surgeon regarding the management of the disease (fistulotomy can be safely done in Garg grade I-II and should never be attempted in Garg grade III-V). Thus, Garg classification should be used by surgeons and radiologists.