The success rate of both FT and MF techniques decreases with time. Recurrence appears to be caused by failure of treatment and by recurrent patient disease.

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.

Objective To assess the efficacy of a staged strategy for the treatment of complex perianal fistula.Methods Between January 1999 and April 2003 all consecutive patients with complex perianal fistulas were treated according to a staged strategy. Fistula tracks originating from the middle third or upper part of the anal sphincter were included. Patients were examined for recurrent fistulas and complaints of incontinence and soiling. Initial treatment consisted of a noncutting seton with or without a diverting stoma. Definitive surgical treatment consisted of an advancement flap or fistulotomy.Results Thirty patients were included (median age; 42 years, range 22-68 years). Seven had Crohn's disease without signs of rectal and anal involvement other than the fistula. At a median follow up of 22 months (range 8-52 months) in 29 (97%) patients, the wounds had healed completely; 7 (22%) patients subsequently developed a recurrent fistula and minor soiling occurred in 7 (23%) patients.Conclusion Initial treatment with a seton with and without a diverting stoma minimizing inflammatory activity at the fistula site before definitive surgical treatment gave good results in this difficult group of patients.

Platelet-rich plasma as an adjunct to a staged mucosal advancement flap for the treatment of perianal cryptoglandular fistulae is a promising treatment modality and seems to establish a high healing rate.

AimThe aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate 40 patients with a high rectovaginal fistula treated by a laparoscopic fistula division and closure, followed by an omentoplasty.Patients and methodsForty patients with a rectovaginal fistula, between the middle third of the rectum and the posterior vaginal fornix, resulting from different causes (IBD, iatrogenic and birth trauma) were treated by a laparoscopic excision of the fistula and insertion of an omentoplasty in the rectovaginal septum. The patients completed the gastrointestinal quality of life index questionnaire (GIQLI) and the Cleveland Clinic incontinence score (CCIS). All tests were performed at regular intervals after treatment.ResultsIn 38 (95%) patients with a median age of 53 years (range 33–72), the surgical procedure was feasible. In two patients, the fistula was closed without an omentoplasty, and a diverting stoma was performed. The median follow-up was 28 months (range 10–35). Two patients (5%) developed a recurrent fistula. In one patient, the interposed omentum became necrotic and was successfully treated laparoscopically. In another patient, an abscess developed, which needed drainage procedures. The mean CCIS was 9 (range 7–10) before treatment and 10 (range 7–13) after treatment (p = 0.5 Wilcoxon). The median GIQLI score was 85 (range 34–129) before treatment and 120 (range75–142) after treatment (p = 0.0001, Wilcoxon).ConclusionsLaparoscopic fistula excision combined with omentoplasty is a good treatment modality with a high healing rate for high rectovaginal fistulas and an acceptable complication rate.