June 27, 2025 By Kaizen Fistula Care Crohn’s Disease is a chronic in ammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can a ect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. One of its most uncomfortable and complex complications is the development of stulas, especially perianal stulas. These abnormal tracts or tunnels form between the intestine and another organ or the skin, often causing pain, infection, and a signi cant impact on a patient’s quality of life. As a leading specialist in treating complex and recurrent stulas, Dr. Samrat Jankar at Kaizen Fistula Care Clinic , Pune has helped numerous Crohn’s patients navigate this di cult condition with modern, minimally invasive treatments and a multidisciplinary approach. In this blog, we will explore how Crohns disease leads to stulas, the symptoms, the diagnosis, and the most e ective management strategies available today. Understanding the Link Between Crohn's Disease and Fistulas: Fistulas happen in about 30-40 % of patients with Crohn’s disease, most commonly forming around the anal region —referred to as perianal stulas. In Crohn’s disease, in ammation penetrates deeply into the bowel wall, which can cause ulcers that develop into tunnels and connect the bowel to adjacent organs or skin. Common types of stulas in Crohns disease include: Perianal stulas: Connecting the anal canal to the skin near the anus. Enteroenteric stulas: Between two segments of the intestine. Enterocutaneous stulas: Between the intestine and the skin. Enterovesical stulas: Between the intestine and the bladder. Rectovaginal stulas: Between the rectum and the vagina (especially in women). Among these, perianal stulas are the most frequent and the most di cult to manage due to constant contamination from stool and complex tract anatomy. Why Are Fistulas in Crohn's Disease So Di cult to Manage? 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Call Us: 9763635252 | 7558423708 Email Us: gastrosamrat@gmail.com Online Consultation Home About us About Fistula Fistula Care Fistula Treatment Patients Corner Fistula Workshop Contact Us Book an Appointment Managing stulas in Crohn’s disease is more complex than treating a regular anal stula because: Ongoing in ammation delays healing and increases recurrence. Multiple stula tracts may be present. Infection and abscess formation are common. The immune system is compromised, especially if the patient is on immunosuppressive therapy. Surgical interventions carry risks and must be done cautiously to prevent damage to continence. Therefore, treatment must be individualized, combining medical, surgical, and supportive care to achieve the best outcomes. Symptoms of Fistula in Crohn's Disease: Fistulas may vary in presentation depending on their location. Common signs and symptoms include: Pain and swelling near the anus or other a ected area Persistent drainage of pus, stool, or uid from an external opening Fever or chills if infection or abscess forms Discomfort while sitting or during bowel movements Skin irritation and foul odor due to continuous discharge Recurrent perianal abscesses Incontinence (in severe cases with sphincter involvement) Due to these symptoms, stulas can signi cantly impair the patient’s daily life and mental health, making timely diagnosis and expert treatment essential. Diagnosis at Kaizen Fistula Care Clinic: At Kaizen Fistula Care Clinic, under the expert guidance of Dr. Samrat Jankar, a comprehensive diagnostic procedure is followed to accurately map and assess the stula. Diagnostic methods may include: MRI Pelvis (with stulogram): The gold standard for detecting stula tracts. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Helpful in assessing rectal and perianal stulas. CT Scan or MRI Enterography: For internal or complex enteric stulas. Colonoscopy: To assess the extent of Crohn’s in ammation and identify active disease. Examination under anesthesia (EUA): To probe and map the tract more precisely, often combined with surgical planning. Dr. Jankar believes in treating not just the stula but the root cause – Crohn’s in ammation – with a multi- disciplinary strategy. Treatment Options for Crohn's-Related Fistulas: At Kaizen Fistula Care Clinic, Dr. Samrat Jankar uses the latest techniques tailored to each patient’s condition. The treatment strategy includes both medical management and surgical interventions. Medical Therapy: Controlling Crohn’s in ammation is the rst step. Common medications include: Biologics (In iximab, Adalimumab): These anti-TNF agents are highly e ective in closing stulas and controlling in ammation. Antibiotics: Such as metronidazole or cipro oxacin for infection control. Immunosuppressants: Like azathioprine or methotrexate in selected cases. These medicines ease in ammation, promote healing, and reduce recurrence. Surgical and Minimally Invasive Procedures: When medical therapy alone isn’t su cient, surgery becomes essential. Dr. Jankar specializes in advanced, sphincter-saving procedures like: Seton placement: A thread is placed in the stula tract to allow drainage and prevent abscess formation. LIFT (Ligation of Intersphincteric Fistula Tract): A safe option for transsphincteric stulas with good healing rates. VAAFT (Video Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment): A minimally invasive approach that visualizes and cauterizes the tract internally. © 2025 Kaizen Fistula Care All rights reserved Why Does an Anal Abscess Often Lead to a Fistula? How to Identify the Early Signs of Anal Fistula Before It Worsens? Fistula plug or glue: Biocompatible material used to close the tract, especially in patients where surgery is risky. Advancement ap surgery: For rectovaginal or complex stulas when the internal opening needs to be sealed. Lifestyle and Diet Modi cations: Managing Crohn’s disease e ectively also involves lifestyle changes: Balanced Diet: Avoiding trigger foods, increasing ber intake (as tolerated), and maintaining hydration. Stress Management: Stress can worsen in ammation. Regular Follow-ups: To monitor medication side e ects and Crohn’s activity. Personal Hygiene: Particularly important for patients with perianal stulas to avoid secondary infections. Conclusion: A stula associated with Crohn’s disease can be physically and emotionally draining, but with the right approach and expert guidance, it is manageable. At Kaizen Fistula Care Clinic, Dr. Samrat Jankar combines modern surgical excellence with a compassionate, personalized touch to deliver e ective, long-term relief to patients su ering from this challenging condition. Don’t su er in silence. If you or a loved one is dealing with Crohn ‘s-related stulas, early consultation can prevent complications and enhance quality of life. Book an appointment with Dr. Samrat Jankar and take the rst step toward healing. PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST Location Kaizen Gastro Care, Shop no. 208 / 209, Oriana Crest building, Datta mandir road, Opposite Costa Rica society, Wakad, Pune - 411057 gastrosamrat@gmail.com 097636 35252 / 075584 23708 Contact info Fistula Cure Fistulotomy LIFT FiLaC VAAFT FISTULA PLUG Quick links Fistula FAQ Latest Blog & News Videos Research Book An Appointment