There is a great need for more epidemiology work to determine the true burden of CCF in the global population.

Primary healing rates associated with local surgical and intersphincteric ligation procedures for CCF were 57.1–100%.

Recurrence rates associated with local surgical and intersphincteric ligation procedures for CCF were 4.9–60.7%.

Failure of local surgical and intersphincteric ligation procedures for CCF occurred in 2.8–18.0% of patients.

There are substantial knowledge gaps and a great need for future research to help improve our understanding of how best to support and treat patients with CCF.