Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study

Çağrı Bilgiç; Erman Sobutay; Salih Boluk; Sümeyra Emine Bölük; Barış Bayraktar

doi:10.18614/dehm.1929817

Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (PFCD) remains therapeutically challenging, with high recurrence rates despite combined medical and surgical management. Laser ablation of the fistula tract has emerged as a sphincter-preserving option; however, long-term data in PFCD are limited. This study evaluated long-term outcomes of laser therapy in patients with PFCD. Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort included consecutive patients with PFCD who underwent laser ablation between January 2015 and December 2020. Clinical healing was defined as complete closure of the external opening without drainage for at least 3 months. Recurrence was defined as reappearance of drainage or fistula at the same site during follow-up. Outcomes included healing, recurrence, complications, and continence status. Results: Eleven patients were included. The median age was 31 years, and the median duration of Crohn’s disease was 9 years. Prior seton placement was performed in 81.8% of patients. The median follow-up was 62 months (range, 26–106). Sustained primary healing was achieved in 63.6% of patients, while 36.4% experienced recurrence. Early postoperative complications occurred in 36.4%, and no late abscess was observed. No long-term incontinence was reported. Conclusions: In this small cohort with extended follow-up, laser ablation achieved sustained healing in approximately two-thirds of patients with PFCD while preserving continence. Although limited by sample size and retrospective design, these findings support laser therapy as a feasible sphincter-preserving option within multidisciplinary management.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Çağrı Bilgiç ^*
0000-0002-4006-1583
Türkiye

Erman Sobutay
0000-0002-5735-2723
Türkiye

Salih Boluk
0000-0002-6617-5853
Türkiye

Sümeyra Emine Bölük
0000-0001-8415-6755
Türkiye

Barış Bayraktar
0000-0002-4111-0885
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 30, 2026

Submission Date

April 14, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1929817

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA47GR94JK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Bilgiç, Ç., Sobutay, E., Boluk, S., Bölük, S. E., & Bayraktar, B. (2026). Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, 40(3), 390-398. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1929817

AMA

1.Bilgiç Ç, Sobutay E, Boluk S, Bölük SE, Bayraktar B. Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40(3):390-398. doi:10.18614/dehm.1929817

Chicago

Bilgiç, Çağrı, Erman Sobutay, Salih Boluk, Sümeyra Emine Bölük, and Barış Bayraktar. 2026. “Long-Term Outcomes of Laser Therapy for Perianal Fistulising Crohn’s Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 (3): 390-98. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1929817.

EndNote

Bilgiç Ç, Sobutay E, Boluk S, Bölük SE, Bayraktar B (July 1, 2026) Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 3 390–398.

IEEE

[1]Ç. Bilgiç, E. Sobutay, S. Boluk, S. E. Bölük, and B. Bayraktar, “Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study”, Dev Exp Health Med, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 390–398, July 2026, doi: 10.18614/dehm.1929817.

ISNAD

Bilgiç, Çağrı - Sobutay, Erman - Boluk, Salih - Bölük, Sümeyra Emine - Bayraktar, Barış. “Long-Term Outcomes of Laser Therapy for Perianal Fistulising Crohn’s Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40/3 (July 1, 2026): 390-398. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1929817.

JAMA

1.Bilgiç Ç, Sobutay E, Boluk S, Bölük SE, Bayraktar B. Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40:390–398.

MLA

Bilgiç, Çağrı, et al. “Long-Term Outcomes of Laser Therapy for Perianal Fistulising Crohn’s Disease: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, vol. 40, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 390-8, doi:10.18614/dehm.1929817.

Vancouver

1.Çağrı Bilgiç, Erman Sobutay, Salih Boluk, Sümeyra Emine Bölük, Barış Bayraktar. Long-term outcomes of laser therapy for perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026 Jul. 1;40(3):390-8. doi:10.18614/dehm.1929817