Rectovaginal Fistula after Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer Using a Double Stapling Technique

Abstract

A 55-year-old female underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer using a double stapling technique. She developed a rectovaginal fistula on the 9th postoperative day. She was discharged from hospital after undergoing transverse colostomy, and 5 months later she underwent transvaginal repair of the rectovaginal fistula. She subsequently had an uneventful recovery. The leading cause of this complication is involvement of the posterior wall of the vagina in the staple line when firing the circular stapler. Transvaginal repair with a diverting stoma for rectovaginal fistula is a safe, minimally invasive and effective method.

Keywords

• Rectovaginal fistula
• Double stapling
• Rectal cancer
• Transverse colostomy
• Transvaginal repair