Autologous stem cell transplantation for treatment of rectovaginal fistula in perianal Crohn's disease: a new cell-based therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Rectovaginal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease are difficult to resolve, and surgical failure is very frequent. Recent studies have shown that adult stem cells extracted from certain tissues, such as adipose tissue, can develop into different tissues, such as muscle.


METHODS
We report here the case of a young patient with Crohn's disease who had a recurrent rectovaginal fistula that was treated by autologous stem-cell transplantation with a lipoaspirate as the source of stem cells.


RESULTS
Although Crohn's disease is the worst condition for a surgical approach in cases of rectovaginal fistula, we observed good closure. Since the surgical procedure 3 month ago the patient has not experienced vaginal flatus or fecal incontinence through her vagina. Thus our treatment seems to be effective.


CONCLUSIONS
Cell transplantation to overcome healing problems is a new surgical tool, and careful evaluation of this new modality may provide an opportunity to define a new era in the treatment of surgical challenges associated with healing disorders. Ethical and safety items do not seem to be critical problems using autologous stem cells.
García-Olmo
Damian
D
Department of General Surgery, La Paz University Hospital, Autonomous University of Madrid, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain. damian.garcia@uam.es
García-Arranz
Mariano
M
García
Lourdes Gómez
LG
Cuellar
Eduardo Serna
ES
Blanco
Ignacio Fernández
IF
Prianes
Luis Asensio
LA
Montes
José Antonio Rodríguez
JA
Pinto
Francisca Lima
FL
Marcos
Dolores Herreros
DH
García-Sancho
Luis
L
D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome