Clinical and biochemical characteristics of the enrolled patients
| Variable | Number | Median (range) |
| Sex (M/F) | 10/7 | |
| Age (y) | 38 (23–46) | |
| Disease duration (months) | 125 (9–191) | |
| Disease location | ||
| Ileum and colon | 13 | |
| Ileum only | 4 | |
| Disease activity (CDAI) | 191 (48–300) | |
| C-reactive protein (mg/l) | 40 (7–200) | |
| ESR (mm, first hour) | 30.5 (10–92) | |
| Location of external orifice | ||
| Right iliaca fossa | 7 | |
| Median laparotomy scar | 9 | |
| Peristomal | 1 | |
| Nature of the fistulas | ||
| Post-surgical | 16 | |
| Spontaneous | 1 | |
| Time elapsed since surgery (months) | 3 (1–15) |
CDAI, Crohn's disease activity index; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate.