Management of enterocutaneous fistulae in Crohn's disease

Efficacy and Safety of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Fistulizing Crohn's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) delivers 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, increasing tissue oxygen levels and regulating inflammatory pathways. Mounting evidence suggests that HBOT may be effective for inflammatory bowel disease. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the efficacy and safety of HBOT in fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using the EMBASE, Web of Science, Pubmed, and Cochrane Library databases according to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses" criteria. Study bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook guidelines.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies with 164 patients were included in the analysis. For all fistula subtypes, the pooled overall clinical response was 87% (95% CI: 0.70-0.95, I2 = 0) and the pooled clinical remission was 59% (95% CI: 0.35-0.80, I2 = 0). The overall clinical response was 89%, 84%, and 29% for perianal, enterocutaneous, and rectovaginal fistulas, respectively. On meta-regression, hours in the chamber and the number of HBOT sessions were not found to correlate with clinical response. The pooled number of adverse events was low at 51.7 per 10,000 HBOT sessions for all fistula types (95% CI: 16.8-159.3, I2 = 0). The risk of bias was observed across all studies.

CONCLUSION

HBOT is a safe and potentially effective treatment option for fistulizing CD. Randomized control trials are needed to substantiate the benefit of HBOT in fistulizing CD.

Prevalence of Fistulizing Crohn's Disease in the United States: Estimate From a Systematic Literature Review Attempt and Population-Based Database Analysis

BACKGROUND

Fistulas may arise as a relevant complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Despite their clinical significance and the substantial burden imposed on patients, limited data are available on the epidemiology of fistulizing CD in the United States.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify data published between 1970 and 2017 on the epidemiology of fistulas in patients with CD, with the aim to estimate the number of prevalent cases in the United States. Retrieved titles and abstracts were screened by 2 independent researchers for inclusion criteria (US population-based studies reporting data on the epidemiology of fistulizing CD). To validate the literature-based estimate, data from a US claims database (Truven Health MarketScan database) were analyzed. This database has broad geographic coverage, with health care data for >60 million patients during the period of the analysis.

RESULTS

The literature search retrieved 7 articles for full-text review, and only 1 met the criteria for inclusion. This study described the cumulative incidence of fistulas in a CD population from Minnesota over 20 years. From the reported data, the estimated number of prevalent cases with fistulizing CD in the United States was ~76,600 in 2017 (~52,900 anal, ~7400 rectovaginal, ~2300 enterocutaneous, and ~14,100 internal). Analysis from the US health care database resulted in an estimated number of ~75,700 patients, confirming the robustness of the original estimate from the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on 2 separate analyses, the estimated number of patients with fistulizing CD in the United States is ~77,000 patients.

Surgical treatment of complex small bowel Crohn disease

INTRODUCTION

The clinical presentations of Crohn disease of the small bowel vary from low to high complexity. Understanding the complexity of Crohn disease of the small bowel is important for the surgeon and the gastroenterologist caring for the patient and may be relevant for clinical research as a way to compare outcomes. Here, we present a categorization of complex small bowel Crohn disease and review its surgical treatment as a potential initial step toward the establishment of a definition of complex disease.

RESULTS

The complexity of small bowel Crohn disease can be sorted into several categories: technical challenges, namely, fistulae, abscesses, bowel or ureteral obstruction, hemorrhage, cancer and thickened mesentery; extensive disease; the presence of short gut; a history of prolonged use of medications, particularly steroids, immunomodulators, and biological agents; and a high risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the principles of modern surgical treatment of Crohn disease have evolved to bowel conservation such as strictureplasty techniques and limited resection margins, such practices by themselves are often not sufficient for the management of complex small bowel Crohn disease. This manuscript reviews each category of complex small bowel Crohn disease, with special emphasis on appropriate surgical strategy.

Surgical management of entero and colocutaneous fistulae in Crohn's disease: 17 year's experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Fistulous disease is common in Crohn's disease, and entero- and colocutaneous fistulae are particularly debilitating and difficult to manage. We present the results of surgical management of these fistulas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective chart review of all 51 patients with Crohn's disease (56 surgical procedures) undergoing surgery for cutaneous fistulae between 1983 and 2000.

RESULTS

Previous surgery for Crohn's disease had been carried out in 43 patients (84%). The fistula site was enterocutaneous in 36 patients (64%), colocutaneous in 12 (21%), and anastomotic in 8 (14%); 9 patients (16%) also had associated enteroenteric fistulas. The onset of the fistula followed abscess drainage in 15 (27%) and occurred at the site of recurrent disease in 41 (73%). Forty patients (71%) initially underwent conservative management prior to surgery; 16 (28%) underwent surgery directly. Surgical procedures were: 25 ileocolic resections, 8 stoma revisions with resection, 8 small bowel resections 7 subtotal colectomies, 4 partial colectomies, 3 proctocolectomies, and one fistula tract excision. Mean total length of stay was 18 days (postoperative 10.7 days). Six (11%) patients had eight postoperative complications. Mean follow-up was 48.6 months (range 3-187). Recurrence as defined by either clinical examination or reoperation was documented in nine fistulas (16%), with a mean time to recurrence of 27 months.

CONCLUSION

Entero-and colocutaneous fistulae usually occur from a site of active disease. Surgical management with bowel resection, including the fistula, is the preferred method of treatment. Morbidity has been low and recurrence rate lower than expected.

Hydrogen peroxide enhanced ultrasound- fistulography in the assessment of enterocutaneous fistulas complicating Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Proper management of enterocutaneous fistulas complicating Crohn's disease largely depends on the anatomical characteristics of the sinus tracks as well as the coexistence of complications such as abscesses and distal bowel stenosis. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of a new technique (hydrogen peroxide enhanced ultrasound (US)-fistulography) compared with conventional x ray fistulogram and/or surgical findings in the detection of Crohn's disease associated enterocutaneous fistulas.

METHODS

Patients with known Crohn's disease and a suspicion of enterocutaneous fistulas were prospectively studied with this novel technique, conventional x ray fistulogram, and barium radiography as well as with computed tomography whenever an abdominal abscess was suspected at US. In those undergoing surgery, intraoperative findings were also compared.

RESULTS

Seventeen of 502 (3.4%) consecutive patients with Crohn's disease seen over a ten month period had associated enterocutaneous fistulas and were enrolled. Hydrogen peroxide enhanced US-fistulography visualised the extent and configuration of fistula in all cases: 13 patients had a fistula arising from the ileum and two from the sigmoid colon, whereas in two there was no evidence of communication with intestinal loops; in contrast, conventional x ray fistulography missed a correct definition of the fistulous branches or communication with intestinal loops in 50% (4/8) and 36% (4/11) of patients respectively; barium radiography showed fistulas in two cases only. The presence of abscesses along or close to the sinus track, as well as the coexistence of intestinal stenosis, was correctly detected at US in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Hydrogen peroxide enhanced US-fistulography could be considered the diagnostic procedure of choice in Crohn's disease associated enterocutaneous fistulas, as it is at least as accurate, simple, and safe as conventional x ray fistulogram, does not miss coexisting abdominal complications, and also provides information on the diseased bowel segments. In addition, it can be easily repeated over time in order to monitor the course of fistulas undergoing conservative treatment.

Surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Surgery continues to play an important role in the overall treatment strategy for patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Innovative techniques have greatly facilitated the operative approach in patients with both disorders.

Nutrition support in inflammatory bowel disease

Many patients with the inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis have significant protein-calorie malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Factors that contribute to these nutritional deficits include inadequate nutrient intake, malabsorption, excessive nutrient secretion across the diseased gastrointestinal tract, drug-nutrient interactions, and increased nutrient requirements. In this review, the use of enteral and parenteral nutrition support as primary therapy for active Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is discussed. Other roles for nutrition support in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including preoperative nutrition support, nutritional treatment of intestinal fistulas and growth retardation, and home parenteral nutrition for gut failure, are also reviewed.

The medical, nutritional and surgical treatment of fistulae in Crohn's disease

Of a total 44 patients with Crohn's disease, 10 patients with 9 internal and 15 external fistulae, some of which were recurrent, were analyzed at the Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University between 1973 and 1988. Twenty-two fistulae were treated with medical and nutritional therapy using either total parenteral or enteral hyperalimentation by which the closure rate of the internal and external fistulae was 0 (0/9) and 42 per cent (9/14), respectively. The nutritional status of all the patients with fistulae treated by nutritional therapy improved, especially those whose fistulae were closed. However, 8 of 9 internal fistulae and 5 of 15 external fistulae finally required resection of the fistula with the distal stenotic bowel segment. The re-opening rate of fistulae following successful medical/nutritional therapy and surgical therapy was 88.9 per cent (8/9) and 53.8 per cent (7/13), respectively, and the mean interval until recurrence was shorter in the patients who underwent medical and nutritional therapy (4.5 months) than in those who underwent surgical therapy (19.4 months). Thus, using medical and nutritional therapy, none of the internal fistulae were closed, but 9 of 14 external fistulae were. The optimal management of internal fistulae is therefore thought to be bowel resection to include the distal stenotic lesion, while medical and nutritional therapy is thought to be of value for external fistulae.

Enterovesical fistulas in Crohn's disease

A total of 19 enterovesical fistulas were recorded in a series of 799 patients with Crohn's disease (2.4%). The origin of the fistulas was: ileum (9), colon (6) and four were complex involving the small and large bowel. Only 13 patients presented with urinary symptoms: pneumaturia (9), haematuria (1) and urinary tract infection (3). Four fistulas were identified incidentally during contrast radiology, one fistula was identified during a laparotomy and one further fistula developed after a previous resection for Crohn's disease. Four patients were managed conservatively and all are asymptomatic, but it is not known whether the fistula has healed. Twelve fistulas were resected: 9 healed, 2 recurred and 1 patient died following resection for a malignant fistula complicating Crohn's disease. Early in the series three patients were managed by bypass or defunction of the fistula. In all cases the sepsis persisted resulting in mortality. Persistent symptomatic fistulas should be treated by resection of the affected segment of bowel with primary anastomosis if appropriate. The defect in the bladder should be closed over an indwelling catheter which should not be removed until there is radiological confirmation that the bladder defect has healed satisfactorily.

Percutaneous drainage of abscesses in patients with Crohn's disease

The hospital courses of 9 patients with intraabdominal abscesses and Crohn's disease who underwent abscess drainage utilizing percutaneous techniques were reviewed. Percutaneous methods brought about resolution of fever, leukocytosis, and the abscess cavity in 8 patients. In 5 of these, definitive cure was achieved with percutaneous drainage. In 3, single-stage bowel surgery and fistulectomy were performed following resolution of the abscess cavities and improvement of clinical signs and symptoms. All patients had uncomplicated postoperative courses. Percutaneous drainage should be the initial drainage procedure in treating postoperative abscesses, and, when performed preoperatively, can diminish surgical morbidity.

Strictureplasty. A good operation for small bowel Crohn's disease?

Seven patients with widespread, active, stricturing, small intestinal Crohn's disease and two with localized disease were treated by a total of 45 strictureplasties. They have been followed up for a mean of 20 months (range 6 to 30). Two patients had early postoperative complications with enterocutaneous fistulas, one of which may have been related to a strictureplasty. The two patients with localized disease remain well after 16 and 30 months. Of the seven patients with extensive small bowel disease, two are well six and 28 months after surgery. Recurrent symptoms developed in six patients two to six months postoperatively; four of those patients required further surgery. Previous reports of strictureplasty in inactive Crohn's strictures suggest it is a safe operation with good long-term results. Strictureplasty in active Crohn's disease has a much higher recurrence rate of symptoms. Because it is a conservative operation, however, we believe it has a place in the surgical treatment of Crohn's disease.