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Background: Approximately one third of patients with Crohn's disease develop perianal fistulas. This study was conducted to determinate outcome predictors in patients treated at a specialized multidisciplinary unit., Patients and Methods: Between May 2005 and May 2008, all patients with perianal Crohn's fistulas were treated by the same surgeon and a gastroenterologist specialized in managing patients with Crohn's disease. Deep fistulas were treated by fistulotomy. For high fistulas, a noncutting seton was placed followed by maintenance treatment with azathioprine and/or infliximab. "Optimal outcome" was recorded when (a) there was no need for diverting stoma, (b) complete healing was achieved by fistulotomy, or (c) fistula symptoms were under control, i.e. there was no need for treatment extension during follow-up., Results: Thirty-four male and 32 female patients underwent 100 surgical interventions. The most frequent types of fistula were high trans-sphincteric (62%) and high intersphincteric (15%). Eleven of the 32 females presented with rectovaginal fistulae. At the study end, complete healing was observed in 12 patients and 32 had good control of fistula symptoms. Seven required proctectomy, fistula symptoms were not under control in 12, and three required diverting stoma. Altogether 44 patients (67%) achieved optimal outcome. The following factors were predictors of nonoptimal outcome by multivariate analysis: presence of Crohn's colitis (P=0.01), age at the onset of Crohn's disease <20 years (P=0.02), and types of fistula not suitable for fistulotomy (P=0.05)., Conclusions: The multidisciplinary approach at specialized units will lead to successful outcome in >60% of patients with Crohn's perianal fistulas. The presence of Crohn's colitis, young age at disease onset, and presence of high fistulas are indicators of poor prognosis.

Unlabelled: In the surgery of anal fistulae, very demanding problems warranting special consideration are caused by the non-classifiable fistulae in ano., Results: Of 823 patients who underwent surgery for anal fistulae between 1993 and 1996, 38 (4.5%) were, according to Parks' classification, non-classifiable; the anal canal was intact. There was no internal opening. All patients had already undergone operations, some of them multiple. In 53%, complete healing of the fistula was achieved by using a single excision. In 47% a recurrence developed. During a second revision we explored the intersphincteric space and were able to reclassify the fistulae in 50% of the cases. A continent fistulectomy led to complete healing in these patients., Conclusion: Non-classifiable fistulae in ano, in which an internal opening of the fistula cannot be found, can primarily be treated by a single excision of the fistula. If recurrence does occur, the patient should undergo exploration of the intersphincteric space in the region, where the cryptoglandular infection is suspected.

In a prospective study on 169 patients with a so-called high fistula-in-ano (147 transsphincteric, 22 suprasphincteric) the value of a sphincter-saving operation technique was assessed. This technique consists of one-stage fistulectomy as well as of drainage of the intersphincteric space by internal sphincterotomy. The site of the former primary orifice of the fistula is adapted by multiple peranally performed single stitches. The perianal part of the wound is left to heal by second intention. Post-operatively, 19 cases of suture leakage occurred (9.5% with the transsphincteric and 23% with the suprasphincteric fistula, resp.). 32 patients (19%) had to have repeated surgery because of recurrent abscess or fistula or because of suture leakage (mean follow-up 3.2 years). Anal manometry was carried out preoperatively as well as postoperatively. It revealed a decrease in anal resting and squeezing pressure of 10 to 40% with a mean about 30%. Of the patients who had not been operated on previously, an impairment of continence developed in 15% postoperatively. This percentage rose up to 40% according to the rising number of previous fistula operations. The main problem in these cases was soiling. Total anorectal incontinence for formed stool did not occur.

95% of our patients have a simple fistula in ano. The majority of these fistulas were following a cryptoglandular abscess. No definitive incontinence occurred after laying open the fistula penetrating the anal sphincter and excision of the extrasphincteric part. In only 7% there was a temporary incontinence for faeces or flatus respectively. The recurrence rate was 5%. High fistulas are seldom an indication for a seaton. In 5% we found a complex fistula with supralevator or extrasphincteric extension. Thereby we usually performed a defunctioning colostomy. This became the permanent treatment for more than half of these patients.