Long-term outcome of infliximab combined with surgery for perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcome of infliximab combined with surgery to treat perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: The work was performed as a prospective study. All patients received infliximab combined with surgery to treat perianal fistulizing CD, which was followed by an immunosuppressive agent as maintenance therapy.

Results: A total of 28 patients with perianal fistulizing CD were included. At week 30, 89.3% (25/28) of the patients were clinically cured with an average healing time of 31.4 d. The CD activity index decreased to 70.07±77.54 from 205.47±111.13 (P<0.01) after infliximab treatment. The perianal CD activity index was decreased to 0.93±2.08 from 8.54±4.89 (P<0.01). C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelets, and neutrophils all decreased significantly compared with the pretreatment levels (P<0.01). Magnetic resonance imaging results for 16 patients after therapy showed that one patient had a persistent presacral-rectal fistula and another still had a cavity without clinical symptoms at follow-up. After a median follow-up of 26.4 mo (range: 14-41 mo), 96.4% (27/28) of the patients had a clinical cure.

Conclusion: Infliximab combined with surgery is effective and safe in the treatment of perianal fistulizing CD, and this treatment was associated with better long-term outcomes.