Surgical Treatment for perianal Crohn's disease

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory disease that occurs in unexplained gastrointestinal mucosa. Anal fistula is a common complication of CD. Anal fistula accounts for 15% of patients with ileocolonic CD, and 92% of CD patients with colon and rectum involvement have anal fistula. Although perianal CD is an anorectal benign disease, it significantly affects the patients' quality of life. Medical and surgical management are two major treatment approaches for Crohn's anal fistula. Drug treatment includes antibiotics, immunological agents, and biological agents. Nearly 30% of patients with CD anal fistula can be cured by standard medical treatment, and 70% need surgical intervention. The purpose of the current surgical treatment is to alleviate local symptoms and protect the anal sphincter function. The surgical treatment of Crohn's anal fistula depends largely on the type of anal fistula, the relationship with the sphincter, and whether it is in the remission of CD.