Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Achieved Fistula Healing in a Young Patient With Severe Refractory Perianal Crohn's Disease

Abstract

The presence of perianal fistulae constitutes a more severe phenotype of Crohn's disease (CD) that often requires intensive medical therapy, wound care, and surgical intervention. Despite therapeutic advances in inflammatory bowel disease, the treatment of perianal fistulae remains challenging. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment modality for induction of fistula healing. We illustrate a case in which HBOT achieved fistula healing in a young patient with severe refractory perianal Crohn's disease (pCD). We also review the current literature and discuss the role of HBOT in the treatment armamentarium of pCD.

Keywords: crohn’s disease; hyperbaric medicine; hyperbaric oxygen treatment; inflammatory bowel disease; perianal fistula.