Perianal fistulae in Crohnʼs Disease: Current and future approaches to treatment

Perianal fistulae are common in Crohn's disease but rarely heal without treatment. The main aim of treatment is to effectively close the fistula without affecting sphincter integrity and continence. Traditional surgical and medical approaches are not without their limitations and may result in either comorbidity, such as fecal incontinence, or incomplete healing of the fistulae. Over the last 2 decades these limitations have led to a paradigm shift toward the use of biomaterials, and more recently cell-based therapies, which have met with variable degrees of success. This review discusses the traditional and current methods of treatment, as well as emerging and possible alternative approaches that may improve fistula healing.