The rate of perineal wound healing was assessed in a series of 112 patients undergoing proctectomy for Crohn's colitis. Healing was impaired in patients with a high fistula-in-ano or a rectovaginal fistula pre-operatively, faecal contamination and postoperative perineal sepsis. Early healing (within 12 weeks) occurred in 63 per cent of the patients. Healing was delayed by over one year in 21 patients, and in 10 patients the perineal wounds never healed.