Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Manuscript ID	121387
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Study
Article Title	Ziwu-Liuzhu-guided combined external therapy promotes wound healing in postoperative perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Shao-Yan Zhao, Shi-Jie Ma, Chen-Xi Ouyang, Shi-Lin Zhu and Xiang-Bin Xiao
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Shi-Lin Zhu, Researcher, Department of Nursing, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 233 Caie North Road, Kaifu District, Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China. lin_6359s@163.com
Key Words	Perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease; Ziwu-Liuzhu; External traditional Chinese medicine therapy; Wound healing; Inflammatory response; Anxiety status
Core Tip	Perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease (PFCD) is difficult to manage after surgery because delayed wound healing and persistent inflammation are common. In this retrospective cohort study, a Ziwu-Liuzhu-guided time-specific traditional Chinese medicine external therapy was associated with better postoperative recovery than sitz bath alone or non-time-specific combined therapy. Patients in the time-specific group showed faster wound healing, lower inflammatory marker levels, greater improvement in Crohn’s Disease Activity Index and Perianal Disease Activity Index scores, and better anxiety outcomes. These findings suggest that treatment timing may be an important adjunct in integrated postoperative PFCD management.
Citation	Zhao SY, Ma SJ, Ouyang CX, Zhu SL, Xiao XB. Ziwu-Liuzhu-guided combined external therapy promotes wound healing in postoperative perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; In press

Received	2026-03-24 03:29
Peer-Review Started	2026-03-24 03:31
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-10 05:52
Return for Revision	2026-04-10 05:52
Revised	2026-04-14 04:05
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-04-29 08:08
Second Decision by Editor	2026-05-22 02:38
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-05-22 04:13
Articles in Press	2026-05-22 04:13
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-9366 (online)
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Copyright	©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See Permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
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