[Anal surgery in Crohn disease]

For twenty years, opinions concerning local surgery of anal lesions in Crohn's disease have changed in practice and in the literature. We have reviewed 209 patients, usually in remission of disease, with at least 6 months' follow-up, who underwent local surgery for various anal lesions from 1974 to 1992. In this study, our indications and results are discussed and compared to the literature. Results of partial haemorrhoidectomy are successful. In anorectal stenosis, with rectal involvement, surgery improves the symptoms and can avoid or delay proctectomy. Results of surgery for simple fistulas appear to be identical in cases with or without Crohn's disease. In complex and suprasphincteric fistulas, seton management improves chronic suppuration, occasionally cures the lesion and reduces the number of tracts. After seton drainage, transanal rectal advancement flaps can be performed, but the results of this procedure have yet to be confirmed.