[The endorectal repair of rectovaginal fistulae]

Abstract

Background: Twenty-one patients who had simple rectovaginal fistulas were treated at the Surgical Department of "Tor Vergata" University from 1992 to 1996 all of whom were at the first approach.

Methods: The fistulas were treated with complete excision of the external tract and primary closure of the internal opening with advancement of a rectal mucosal flap, distal to the origin fistulas opening. The vaginal side is left open for drainage.

Results: Eighteen of the twenty-one patients had good results; three patients required reoperation for recurrences; all of them had satisfactory results.

Conclusions: The advancement flap technique was very useful for simple rectovaginal fistulas with any sphincter damage, and it is very well tolerated by patients.