CD is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation that can affect the entire thickness of the intestinal wall. Chronic inflammation may be present throughout the gastrointestinal tract. A common complication of CD is perianal fistulas, which occur in up to 26% of patients over a 20-year follow-up period. Perianal fistulas are abnormal tracts between the rectum or anal canal and the skin around the anus. The presence of fistulas significantly reduces patients’ quality of life due to pain, fistula discharge, and impaired physical and sexual function.
Injection of freshly harvested autologous adipose tissue has proven effective in treating fistulas in patients without underlying CD. This project will determine whether this treatment is also effective for fistulas in patients with CD.