Fistula Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Fistula, including details on types, causes, treatment.

Outcomes after repair of rectovaginal fistulas using bioprosthetics.

Ellis CN

Department of Surgery, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA. nellis@usouthal.edu

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes with the use of advancement flaps and bioprosthetic grafts for the management of rectovaginal fistulas. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed for all patients treated with a rectovaginal fistula. RESULTS: There were 44 patients in the advancement flap group. A mucosal flap repair was performed for 29 patients, and 15 patients had an anodermal flap repair. The mean follow-up was 10 (range, 6-22) months. There were 34 patients in the bioprosthetic repair group. A bioprosthetic interposition graft was used to repair the fistula in 27 patients with a mean follow-up of 12 (range, 6-22) months, and 7 patients had a bioprosthetic plug repair of their fistula with a mean follow-up of 6 (range, 3-12) months. The fistula recurred in 15 patients (34 percent) who were managed by a flap repair, 5 patients (19 percent) who were managed by a bioprosthetic sheet, and 1 patient (14 percent) who was treated with a bioprosthetic plug. CONCLUSIONS: Use of bioprosthetics for the management of rectovaginal fistulas is a new technique, which, based on early experience, seems to yield results equal to advancement flap repair.

Published 3 July 2008 in Dis Colon Rectum, 51(7): 1084-8.
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Articles on Fistula published 3 July 2008:

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