Enterovesical fistulas in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel, that may affects the urinary system. Although fistula formation has been reported in up to 35% patients suffering from Crohn's disease, urinary fistulas affect only 2 to 8% patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Authors have done a retrospective study with the aim to investigate the incidence of enterovesical fistulas in patients admitted due to Crohn's disease to the IInd Department of Surgery of the Comenius University Medical School and Department of Surgery of University Hospital Nitra during 10 years long period. RESULTS: The overall incidence of enterovesical fistulas in our clinical material was 6.83%. All patiens underwent elective surgery. There were no serious postoperative complication. A two stage approach was necessary due to severe inflammation in one patient. Severity of inflammation decreased later on, after treatment with anti TNF *, which allowed subsequent elective surgery. CONCLUSION: Authors consider elective surgery as a treatment of choice in the managenet of enterovesical fistulas in Crohn's disease. Surgery is effective and safe (Fig. 2, Ref. 3). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.