In a prospective study the results of local surgery in perianal infections in patients with and without Crohn's disease were compared. In patients with Crohn's disease (CD) the abscesses and fistulas were more extensive and complicated than in patients without Crohn's disease (NCD). The source of infection was cryptoglandular in 81% (CD) resp. 100% (NCD). The wound healing in CD-patients was four weeks longer than in NCD patients. Abscesses or fistulas recurred in 6/18 (CD) resp. 1/25 (NCD). Partial incontinence occurred in 6/18 CD and 5/25 NCD. It is concluded that perianal infections can be treated successful in most of patients with Crohn's disease.