MINIMAL INVASIVE MANAGEMENT OF PEDIATRIC CROHN’S ANORECTAL STRICTURE, LESS IS MORE

Background Anorectal stricture (ARS) is an uncommon but potentially disabling manifestation of perianal Crohn disease (CD) in pediatric patients. Various treatment options are available but there is little data regarding their efficacy, particularly in the pediatric population. We present three case reports of patients with symptomatic ARS treated with serial dilation and biologic therapy. Methods An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was performed using electronic health records. Three patients with ileocolonic CD and perianal involvement with symptomatic ARS were identified. All patients were treated with serial rectal dilations under general anesthesia using Hegar dilators. Results All patients are currently asymptomatic at follow-ups ranging from 1 to 3.5 years since the last dilation. Patient demographics and details of ARS management are presented in Table 1. All patients tolerated the procedures well and did not experience complications such as perforation, sepsis, or fecal incontinence. Rectal biopsy in each patient showed active inflammation, suggesting type 1 stricture according to the Hughes-Cardiff Classification (vs. type 2 fibrotic stricture). Patient 1 experienced 6 recurrences, each managed with an average of 2 dilations until disease control was established with ustekinumab (USK) and eventually vedolizumab (VDZ). She underwent ileocecal resection three years after the final dilation. Patient 2 underwent ileocecal resection immediately following the first series of dilations. He later experienced one stricture recurrence at 2 years, which was managed with one dilation and increased USK dosing frequency. Patient 3 received steroid suppositories prior to dilation and has been self-dilating at home. He has had no recurrences requiring operative dilation. Self-dilation was not feasible in patients 1 and 2. Conclusion Inflammatory anorectal stricture associated with perianal Crohn disease in pediatric patients can be managed successfully with dilation until disease control with biologic therapy. Recurrences of stricture can also be managed with dilation and modification of biologic therapy. If tolerated, self-dilation may reduce recurrence. Background Anorectal stricture (ARS) is an uncommon but potentially disabling manifestation of perianal Crohn disease (CD) in pediatric patients. Various treatment options are available but there is little data regarding their efficacy, particularly in the pediatric population. We present three case reports of patients with symptomatic ARS treated with serial dilation and biologic therapy. Crohn’s rectal stricture pre and post dilation