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Autologous stem cell transplantation for treatment of rectovaginal fistula in perianal Crohn's disease: a new cell-based therapy

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and aims

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.

Patient and 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.

Conclusion

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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank to Dolores Garcia-Olmo, Ph.D., Chief of the Research Unit, Albacete General Hospital (Spain), for her useful collaboration during the development of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Surgery, La Paz University Hospital, Autonomous University of Madrid, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain

    Damian García-Olmo, Mariano García-Arranz, Lourdes Gómez García, Eduardo Serna Cuellar, Ignacio Fernández Blanco, Luis Asensio Prianes, José Antonio Rodríguez Montes, Francisca Lima Pinto, Dolores Herreros Marcos & Luis García-Sancho

Authors
  1. Damian García-Olmo
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  2. Mariano García-Arranz
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  3. Lourdes Gómez García
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  4. Eduardo Serna Cuellar
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  5. Ignacio Fernández Blanco
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  6. Luis Asensio Prianes
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  7. José Antonio Rodríguez Montes
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  8. Francisca Lima Pinto
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  9. Dolores Herreros Marcos
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  10. Luis García-Sancho
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Damian García-Olmo.

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García-Olmo, D., García-Arranz, M., García, L.G. et al. Autologous stem cell transplantation for treatment of rectovaginal fistula in perianal Crohn's disease: a new cell-based therapy. Int J Colorectal Dis 18, 451–454 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-003-0490-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-003-0490-3

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