Summary Background : Crohn's disease is complicated by fistulas in 20–40% of patients at some time during the course of their illness. Azathioprine has been reported to heal fistulas in 30–40% of cases. Long‐lasting effects by the anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α antibody infliximab most often require repeated infusions. Methotrexate has been shown to be an effective drug in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease. Aim : To evaluate the combination of infliximab and methotrexate as therapy for fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease. Methods : Twelve consecutive patients (mean age, 29.5 years) with fistulizing Crohn's disease resistant or intolerant to azathioprine were followed prospectively. Patients received three infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) and long‐term methotrexate (20 mg/week). Therapy success was defined as sustained closure of fistulas ≥ 6 months after fistula closure. Results : In four of the 12 patients, complete closure of fistulas that persisted for ≥ 6 months (median follow‐up, 13.25 months) was observed. In three further patients, a partial response was noted. In five patients, persistent therapy success could not be achieved or therapy had to be stopped due to side‐effects. Conclusions : A combination of infliximab with long‐term methotrexate may be a promising concept in fistulizing Crohn's disease. Our data indicate the need for larger controlled trials.

In acutely ill intensive and intermediate care patients immediate enteral feeding via a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube is as safe as next-day feeding.

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