Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of Xianfang Xiaodu decoction combined with warming moxibustion on wounds healing after anal fistula and its influence on epidermal growth factors (EGF) and rectal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). Method: One hundred and thirty-four patients with anal fistula were randomly divided into control group and treatment group according to the method of random digits table

67 patients for each group. All patients received basic treatment

including postoperative intravenous drip of levofloxacin for three days (0.4 g/time

qd) and orally taking Zhining pill (4 piece/time

tid). Control group received sitz bath of potassium permanganate liquid on the second day after operation (20 mins/time and 1 time/d)

and then with conventional dressing. Patients in treatment group orally took Xianfang Xiaodu decoction (1 dose/d and 2 times for conventional boiling water)

combined with warming moxibustion on wound and Changqiang point (20 mins/time

qd)

and then with conventional dressing. All cases received treatment for 2 weeks. Scores of postoperative pain

wound exudation

and wound swelling were recorded for two groups. Wound healing time

wound area

and wound longitudinal diameter were recorded. Serum EGF and SIgA were detected for both groups. Result: The total efficacy for treatment group (97.01%) was higher than that of control group (83.58%)

with statistical difference after 2 weeks (P<0.05). Scores for wound pain

exudation

and swelling at 7 d and 14 d after operation in treatment group were lower than those of control group (P<0.01). After treatment

wound area

wound longitudinal diameter

and wound healing time were less than those in control group (P<0.01). At 14 d after treatment

serum EGF and SIgA levels of treatment group were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Xianfang Xiaodu decoction combined with warming moxibustion may significantly decrease wound pain

wound exudation and swelling

promote wound healing after anal fistula

and its mechanism may associated with increasing serum EGF and SIgA levels.