What Researchers Did
This systematic review assessed the efficacy of medical and surgical therapy for persistent perineal sinus closure in inflammatory bowel disease patients following proctectomy.
What They Found
The review included 25 articles, predominantly case series or retrospective cohort studies (23), with no randomized controlled trials identified. All included studies were at high risk of bias. Five articles described classification systems for persistent perineal sinuses.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with unhealed perineal wounds after proctectomy for inflammatory bowel disease face a condition with currently limited evidence-based treatment options. This suggests that management strategies may vary and require careful consideration due to the high failure rates of existing therapies.
Canadian Relevance
This systematic review has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The review was limited by the lack of high-quality evidence, as all 25 included studies were at high risk of bias and no randomized controlled trials were found.