Laparoscopic repair of high rectovaginal fistula: is it technically feasible?

Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is an epithelium-lined communication between the rectum and vagina. Most RVFs are acquired, the most common cause being obstetric trauma. Most of the high RVFs are repaired by conventional open surgery. Laparoscopic repair of RVF is rare and so far only one report is avail...

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Published inBMC surgery Vol. 5; no. 1; p. 20
Main Authors Kumaran, Saravanan S, Palanivelu, Chinnusamy, Kavalakat, Alfie J, Parthasarathi, Ramakrishnan, Neelayathatchi, Murugayyan
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England BioMed Central Ltd 12.10.2005
BioMed Central
BMC
Subjects
Female
Humans
Hysterectomy, Vaginal
Laparoscopy - methods
Middle Aged
Postoperative Complications - surgery
Rectovaginal Fistula - surgery
Technical Advance
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Summary:Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is an epithelium-lined communication between the rectum and vagina. Most RVFs are acquired, the most common cause being obstetric trauma. Most of the high RVFs are repaired by conventional open surgery. Laparoscopic repair of RVF is rare and so far only one report is available in the literature. We present a case of high RVF repaired by laparoscopy. 56-year-old female who had a high RVF following laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy was successfully operated laparoscopically. Here we describe the operative technique and briefly review the literature. The postoperative period of the patient was uneventful and after a follow up of 6 months no recurrence was found. Laparoscopic repair of high RVF is feasible in selected patients but would require proper identification of tissue planes and good laparoscopic suturing technique.
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ISSN:1471-2482
1471-2482
DOI:10.1186/1471-2482-5-20