Historical Surgical Treatments in Polish Veterinary Medicine

Simple Summary

This review describes the most popular methods used for treating animals in Poland from the 16th to the 20th century described in Polish veterinary literature. Bloodletting, setons, ‘fonticulus’, cauterizations, injections and other former veterinary methods are described. This review presents the development of veterinary medicine from ancient cures to a modern branch of science.

Abstract

Several methods of surgical treatments have been used in the history of Polish veterinary medicine, many of which have now been forgotten. In the present study, a review was conducted of Polish-language veterinary medicine books published from the 16th century (when the first books in Polish were printed) to the 20th century. The article contains a description of the most popular surgical methods used in animal treatment in Poland over the centuries including, among others, bloodletting, setons, fonticulus and cauterization. This article reviews historical veterinary methods and traces the development of Polish veterinary medicine from ancient cures often based on humoral theory to a modern branch of biologic science.

The results of seton drainage combined with anti-TNFα therapy for anal fistula in Crohn's disease

AIM

Combined infliximab and sphincter-sparing surgery can be effective in perianal fistula associated with Crohn's disease (CD). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of local surgery combined with infliximab on sustained fistula closure and to identify predictive factors for response after this combined treatment.

METHOD

Between 2000 and 2010, 81 patients with fistulising perianal CD were included in this observational study. Drainage with a loose seton was followed by infliximab therapy. The primary end-points were the rate of complete fistula closure and time required for this to occur.

RESULTS

The fistula was complex in 71 (88%) of the 81 patients. Local proctological surgery was carried out in 77 (95%), including seton drainage in 62 (80.5%) of these. This was continued for a median duration of 3.8 months and the patient then received infliximab therapy. The median follow-up after treatment was 64 months (2-263). Initial complete closure of the fistula occurred in 71 (88%) cases at a median interval of 12.4 months (1-147) from the start of treatment. Recurrence was observed in 29 (41%) patients at a median interval of 38.5 months (2-48) from the start of treatment. They were treated again with combined treatment with successful closure in 19 (65.5%) patients. The total rate of closure of the fistula was 75.3%. Female gender, anal stenosis, rectovaginal and complex fistula formation were factors independently associated with failure of combined treatment.

CONCLUSION

Seton drainage for several months combined with infliximab therapy is effective in closing the fistula in 75% of patients with complex perianal fistula formation associated with CD.