The experience of treating distal rectovaginal fistulas of large size

Abstract

The incidence of rectovaginal fistula is 1 case per 100,000 population per year. Due to the polyetiology of this pathology, the number of patients with rectovaginal fistulas is much larger. The most common methods of treatment are: dissection or excision of the fistula into the intestinal lumen, sphincteroplasty (excision of the fistula), segmental proctoplasty (excision of the fistula with the replacement of the muco-submucosal, muco-muscular or full-thickness flap of the rectum into the anus). The effectiveness of these operations averages about 50-70%, which leaves the question of finding a solution to this pathology open. In ME “VOKSTS” a method of treating low rectovaginal fistulas was used by means of bringing down a full-fledged muco-muscular flap. 7 patients aged from 30 to 54 years (mean age 38.8 ± 7.9 years) were operated on with a diagnosis of rectovaginal fistula. The size of the fistula was up to 0.8-1.1 cm in diameter. Complications and relapses in the study group of patients were not observed.

Keywords

• rectovaginal fistula
• rectal fistula
• perineal fistula
• fistula
• rectovaginal septal defect