Fistulous complications of Crohn's disease

The fistulas encountered in Crohn's disease are a frequent complication and may be internal or external. The first type are gut-to-gut, the second gut-to-skin. Of the 47 Crohn's disease patients operated in this series, 13 presented at least one fistula. The series included 4 cases (8.51%) of external and 9 (19.14%) of internal fistula. A complete cure was obtained in 92.3%, the one failure relating to the still incomplete closure of an enterocutaneous fistula treated conservatively. Surgical mortality was nil and morbidity 15.38% (one energy reoperation and one delayed closure of a perineal wound following proctectomy). The present review examines the various types of fistula encountered and their possible treatment.