What Researchers Did
In this prospective pilot study, researchers investigated the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of 30 daily hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) sessions for rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) in nine patients with Crohn's disease (CD).
What They Found
Clinical closure of rectovaginal fistulas was not observed in any of the nine treated patients at 3-month follow-up. However, secondary outcomes, including perianal disease activity index and fistula drainage assessment, showed some improvement, as did patient-reported outcomes.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This pilot study suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may not lead to clinical closure of rectovaginal fistulas in Crohn's disease patients, but it might offer some symptomatic relief. Canadian patients with rectovaginal fistulas should discuss all treatment options with their specialists, as HBO therapy's role in achieving fistula closure remains uncertain based on these findings.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre.
Study Limitations
This was a small pilot study with only nine treated patients, limiting the generalizability of its findings.