Incidence, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Enteric and Colorectal Fistulae in Patients with Crohnʼs Disease

Abstract

Fistulae are diagnosed preoperatively in 69% of cases and can be suspected in as many as 42% of patients with an abdominal mass. Fistulae are the primary or single indication for surgical treatment and are directly responsible for a stoma only in a few patients. Treatment, based on resection of the diseased bowel and extirpation of the fistula, can be accomplished with minimal morbidity and mortality.