These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.
Pubmed for Handhelds
PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS
Search MEDLINE/PubMed
Title: Anti-TNF-alpha (infliximab) used as induction treatment in case of active proctitis in a multistep strategy followed by definitive surgery of complex anal fistulas in Crohn's disease: a preliminary report. Author: van der Hagen SJ, Baeten CG, Soeters PB, Russel MG, Beets-Tan RG, van Gemert WG. Journal: Dis Colon Rectum; 2005 Apr; 48(4):758-67. PubMed ID: 15750797. Abstract: PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the healing rate of complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease after a multistep strategy, including induction treatment with Infliximab in case of active proctitis, followed by definitive surgery. METHODS: From 2000 to 2003, all consecutive patients with complex fistulas and Crohn's disease underwent pretreatment with noncutting setons and, in case of severe recurrent fistulas or abscesses, a diverting stoma. Infliximab was added in cases of active proctitis. After definitive surgical treatment, patients were examined. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included (median age, 34 (range, 22-58) years). Seven patients were treated by surgery only, and in ten patients Infliximab was added. After a median follow-up of 19 (range, 8-40) months, fistula healing was observed in 17 patients (100 percent). One patient of the Infliximab group developed a recurrent fistula (10 percent) after 24 months, and in one patient (10 percent) soiling occurred. Two patients of the surgical group developed a recurrent fistula (29 percent) and soiling occurred in two patients (29 percent). CONCLUSIONS: A multistep strategy followed by definitive surgery for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease is a promising treatment modality. The preliminary results of this study suggest that Infliximab treatment has a beneficial additive effect in the multistep treatment followed by definitive surgery of complex anal fistulas and active proctitis in Crohn's disease.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]