Surgical therapy for rectovaginal fistulas in ulcerative colitis

During a 9-year period, six women with ulcerative colitis (UC) and rectovaginal fistulas were surgically treated. Three underwent ileoanal pull-through procedures with simultaneous repair of the rectovaginal fistulas. Two patients had Kock pouches, and one had a Brooke ileostomy because extensive destruction of the rectal sphincter prohibited ileoanal procedures. The three patients who had ileoanal procedures all had excellent functional results. There has been no evidence of Crohn's disease or fistula recurrence. We believe that rectovaginal fistulas occur more frequently in UC than is generally accepted, and they can be safely managed with current reconstructive techniques.     

Surgical repair of rectovaginal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease: Transvaginal approach

The surgical management of rectovaginal fistulas complicating Crohn's disease has been associated with unacceptably high failure rates. We sought to modify the available surgical techniques to provide a solution to this challenging problem. Between December 1983 and January 1990, 14 patients with Crohn's disease underwent repair of a rectovaginal fistula. A modified transvaginal approach was employed by the authors. A diverting loop ileostomy was performed on all patients, either as the initial step in the staged management of intractable perianal disease or concurrent with the repair of the rectovaginal fistula. The fistula was completely eradicated in 13 of the 14 women and did not recur during the mean follow-up period of 55.0 months (range, 3–77 months). Intestinal continuity was reestablished in these 13 patients within 6 months after the initial fistula repair. One patient with a very low-lying fistula constituted our only failure. We have found the transvaginal method preferable to the transanal approach because of the relative ease in raising the vaginal flap as compared with a flap of fibrotic and inflamed anorectal mucosa. On the basis of this study, we conclude that a modified transvaginal approach is an effective method for repair of rectovaginal fistulas secondary to Crohn's disease.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, St. Louis, Missouri, April 29 to May 4, 1990.     

Gracilis Muscle Transposition for Fistulas Between the Rectum and Urethra or Vagina

Purpose This study was designed to assess the efficacy of gracilis muscle transposition in repairing rectovaginal and rectourethral fistulas. Methods Data were retrieved from a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent gracilis muscle transposition for fistulas between the rectum and urethra/vagina. All patients had fecal diversion as a preliminary or concurrent step to fistula repair. Follow-up data were gathered from outpatient clinic visits. Success was defined as a healed fistula after stoma closure. Results Six females and three males, aged 30 to 64 years, underwent gracilis muscle transpositions from 1999 to 2005. One pouch-vaginal, three rectourethral, and five rectovaginal fistulas were repaired. The etiologies were Crohn's disease (n = 2), iatrogenic injury to the rectum during radical prostatectomy (n = 2), previous pelvic irradiation for rectal cancer (n = 2) or for cervical cancer (n = 1), recurrent perianal abscesses with fistulas (n = 1), and obstetric tear (n = 1). Seven patients underwent previous medical and surgical repair attempts. There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications included perineal wound infection (n = 1) and at the colostomy closure (n = 2). There were no long-term sequelae. At a median follow-up period of 14 (range, 1–66) months since stoma closure, the fistula healed in seven patients. One patient refused ileostomy closure. One patient with severe Crohn's proctitis has a persistent rectovaginal fistula. Conclusions Gracilis muscle transposition is a viable option for repairing fistulas between the urethra, vagina, and the rectum, especially after failed perineal or transanal repairs. It is associated with low morbidity and a good success rate. Underlying Crohn's disease and previous radiation are associated with poor prognosis. Presented at The Joint Meeting of the Israel Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the Israeli Society of Endoscopic Surgery, Eilat, Israel, December 16 to 18, 2004. Reprints are not available.     

Gracilis transposition for repair of recurrent anovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas in Crohn’s disease

Objective Local surgical procedures in the presence of Crohn’s disease have a markedly reduced success rate, especially in the treatment of recurrent anovaginal and distant rectovaginal fistulas. In these patients, local surgery (e.g., flap closure) has unsatisfactory results if the anal canal is destroyed by ulceration and indurations or in patients with extensive defects of the perineum. Materials and methods Over a period of 6 years (2000 to 2006), 12 patients with recurrent rectovaginal fistulas were treated with graciloplasty. The age of the female patients ranged from 24 to 47 years, the mean age being 38 years. The presence of Crohn’s disease in all patients had a mean duration of 12 years. Corticosteroids, mesalazin, or azathioprin were administered preoperatively. All patients were diverted by a temporary ileostomy before graciloplasty. Results Rectovaginal fistula was closed in 11 of 12 patients after graciloplasty with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years. One rerecurrence of a rectovaginal fistula was documented. One of 12 ileostomies was not closed due to persistence of the fistula tract. One patient had a pouch-anal and, additionally, a pouch-vaginal fistula. In this patient, the first transposition of the gracilis muscle was unsuccessful. After a few months, she underwent renewed graciloplasty. There was no recurrence of a fistula within the follow-up period. Reconstruction of the perineum constituted an additional positive effect of the graciloplasty. In one patient, the preexisting fecal incontinence persisted, even after secondary implantation of a pacemaker. Due to diarrhea and persistent fecal incontinence, the patient opted for a renewed ileostomy. Conclusions In our series, gracilis transposition in the treatment of recurrent anovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease has excellent short-term results. In addition, graciloplasty can reconstruct the perineal defect.     

Gracilis muscle repair of rectovaginal fistula after restorative proctocolectomy

Gracilis muscle interposition flaps have been used to treat two patients with rectovaginal fistulas. The fistulas occurred following restorative proctocolectomy with a J-shaped ileal reservoir and ileoanal anastomosis. Attempts at local repair of the fistulas had failed. A diverting loop ileostomy was constructed simultaneously. Anterior sphincteroplasty was performed in one patient for associated incontinence. Excellent results were achieved in both patients. The fistulas have healed, and intestinal continuity has been re-established. This procedure can be useful to salvage a pelvic pouch complicated by a rectovaginal fistula.     

Results of operation for rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease

A retrospective review of patients with Crohn's disease treated at our institution from 1973 to 1986 revealed 12 patients operated on for rectovaginal fistula. Disease involved the large intestine in 10 patients. Primary fistula repair was performed in four patients and four others had staged repair with preliminary fecal diversion. Four patients with severe colonic and anorectal disease had proctocolectomy performed as the first procedure. Of eight patients who underwent fistula repair, complete healing occurred in six. One patient has a persistent fistula, which is minimally symptomatic, and the other required proctocolectomy after three unsuccessful repairs. Success of operation correlated with quiescent intestinal disease and absence of rectal involvement. In selected patients with symptomatic fistulas, surgical repair is indicated and healing can be anticipated. Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Anaheim, California, June 12–17, 1988.     

Vaginal fistulas in Crohn's disease

Twenty-eight patients with vaginal fistulas complicating Crohn's disease, seen between 1970 and 1987, are described. Twelve required early operation; five of them had rectal excision. Conservative management was used in 16 patients but in none of these did the fistula close spontaneously. Subsequent proctocolectomy was required in seven patients though two patients with high vaginal fistulas were managed by total colectomy, end ileostomy, and oversewing of the rectal stump. Only two high fistulas resulting from ileal Crohn's disease resolved with resection and anastomosis of the diseased segment alone. Local repair was unsuccessful despite repeated operations in two of five patients. Two patients died of malignancy arising within a chronic vaginal fistula. Although some vaginal fistulas complicating Crohn's disease cause little disability and can be managed symptomatically, they do not heal by conservative therapy or by a proximal defunctioning stoma alone. In time, severe bowel symptoms develop in the majority of patients and necessitate proctectomy.     

Use of endoanal ultrasound in patients with rectovaginal fistulas

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to define the role of endoanal ultrasound in the evaluation and management of patients with rectovaginal fistula. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients with rectovaginal fistula who were evaluated by endoanal ultrasound at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University from 1992 to 1997. RESULTS: Twenty-five females underwent endoanal ultrasound before rectovaginal fistula repair. Mean age was 34 years. Rectovaginal fistulas were caused by obstetric trauma (19 patients; 76 percent), cryptoglandular disease (5 patients; 20 percent), and Crohn's disease (1 patient; 4 percent). Previous rectovaginal fistula repair had been performed in ten patients (40 percent). A history of anal incontinence was present in ten patients (40 percent). Rectovaginal fistula location was above (15 patients), at (7 patients), or below (3 patients) the dentate line. Rectovaginal fistula size was <5 mm (19 patients; 76 percent) or >5 mm (6 patients; 24 percent). Anal manometry revealed decreased sphincter pressures (resting or squeeze) in 12 patients (48 percent). Pudendal nerve latency was abnormal in three patients (9 percent). Endoanal ultrasound identified the rectovaginal fistula in 7 patients (28 percent) and an anterior sphincter defect in 23 patients (92 percent). At surgery sphincter injuries were identified in 23 patients (92 percent). Treatment was either sliding flap repair with anal sphincter reconstruction (22 patients; 88 percent) or sliding flap repair alone (3 patients; 12 percent). Repair of the rectovaginal fistula was successful in 23 patients (92 percent). Complications occurred in 11 patients (44 percent): two recurrent rectovaginal fistulas, five infections, two skin separations, one ectropion, and one hematoma. The two patients with recurrent rectovaginal fistula had prior repairs, and both were subsequently repaired successfully. Of the 11 patients with preoperative anal incontinence, 6 patients (54 percent) were continent and 2 (18 percent) improved after surgery. Cause, size, location, and previous repair of fistula had no effect on final outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Noncontrast endoanal ultrasound was not useful in imaging rectovaginal fistulas and cannot be recommended as a diagnostic or screening tool for the identification of a rectovaginal fistula. However, we recommend that endoanal ultrasound be performed preoperatively in all patients with known rectovaginal fistulas to identify and map occult sphincter defects. Concomitant anal sphincter reconstruction should be considered strongly in patients with rectovaginal fistula and an endoanal ultrasound-documented sphincter defect.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Antonio, Texas, May 2 to 7, 1998.     

Management of chronic ulcerative colitis and rectovaginal fistula by simultaneous ileal pouch construction and fistula closure

Persistent rectovaginal fistulas occurring with ulcerative colitis are unusual manifestations that complicate surgical or medical treatment of the primary disease. Prior to the development of ileal pouch procedures, many cases were traditionally managed with a total colectomy and permanent ileostomy. The authors are aware of no previous study using concurrent fistula repair combined with ileal pouch construction to manage this complex problem. The successful simultaneous repair of a chronic rectovaginal fistula with ileal pouch reconstruction in a patient with intractable ulcerative colitis is reported.     

Long-term analysis of the use of transanal rectal advancement flaps for complicated anorectal/vaginal fistulas

Transanal rectal advancement flap (TRAF) is a surgical option in the management of rectovaginal and other complicated fistulas involving the anorectum. Most reported series have a short follow-up. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the long-term success, safely, applicability, and factors affecting recurrence in patients managed with TRAF, including patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS/MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing endorectal advancement flaps at a single institution between 1988 and 1993 was performed. One hundred one patients were identified (70 percent female; 30 percent male). Included were 52 patients with rectovaginal, 46 with anal perineal, and 3 with rectourethral fistulas. Causes were obstetric injury in 13 patients, Crohn's disease in 47, cryptoglandular in 19, mucosal ulcerative colitis in 7, and surgical trauma or undefined causes in 15 patients. RESULTS: No mortality occurred. Median follow-up was 31 (range, 1–79 months). Immediate failure (within one week of the repair) was seen in 6 percent of patients. Statistically (tP <0.001) higher recurrence rates were observed in patients who had undergone previous repairs. Mean hospital stay was four days. Overall recurrence was seen in 29 patients (29 percent). Seventy-five percent of all recurrences occurred within the first 15 months; however, recurrence was noted for up to 55 months after repair. Etiology of fistula, use of constipating medications, antibiotic use, and most importantly associated Crohn's disease did not statistically affect recurrence rates. Failure rate was only influenced by previous number of repairs. CONCLUSION: TRAF is a safe technique for managing complicated anorectal and rectovaginal fistulas, including patients with Crohn's disease. Long-term follow-up is essential to accurately report recurrence rates.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 7 to 12, 1995.     

Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Advancement Flap Repair of Complex Anal Fistulas

Purpose Options for the management of complex anal fistulas include fistulotomy, setons, fibrin sealant, and advancement flaps. This study was performed to evaluate our results with advancement flap repair of anal fistulas and to identify factors associated with failure. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for all patients treated with an anal fistula between June 2000 and May 2003. Data collected included age, gender, fistula anatomy and etiology, previous repairs, comorbidities, smoking history, procedure performed, and fistula recurrence. Results There were 95 patients (43 males and 52 females) with a mean age of 42 years. Transsphincteric fistulas were present in 51 patients and 44 females had rectovaginal fistulas. A mucosal flap repair was performed for 68 patients and 27 patients had an anodermal flap repair. The median length of follow-up was ten months. The fistula recurred in 31 patients (32.6 percent). Subset analysis showed an association between a history of previous attempts at repair or tobacco smoking and an increased rate of fistula recurrence, but did not reveal any increased risk of recurrence for patients over age 40 years, for those with rectovaginal fistula, or for males. Conclusion A history of previous attempts at repair of an anal fistula or tobacco smoking is associated with an increased risk of fistula recurrence; while age over 40 years, male gender, or a rectovaginal fistula are not. Presented at the Tripartite Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, July 4 to 8, 2005.     

Treatment of rectovaginal fistulas that has failed previous repair attempts

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess results of treatment of rectovaginal fistulas (excluding pouch vaginal fistulas) that have failed previous attempts at repair. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of all patients presenting with nonhealing rectovaginal fistula was performed. RESULTS: Twenty eight patients with persistent fistulas were identified. In 18 patients the fistula was classified as simple, and in 10 the fistula was complex. Fourteen fistulas were secondary to obstetric injury, five were caused by Crohn's disease, and nine patients had miscellaneous etiologies for their fistulas. Of patients with persistent simple fistulas, 13 (72 percent) of the fistulas healed, 5 after advancement flaps, 5 following sphincteroplasty, and 3 after coloanal anastomoses. Of persistent complex fistulas, only four of ten (40 percent) healed, one following sphincteroplasty, one with coloanal anastomosis, and two after gracilis transposition. A total of 23 advancement flaps were done in 17 patients with five fistulas healing (29 percent). Sphincteroplasty and fistulectomy was successful in six of seven patients (86 percent). Coloanal anastomosis resulted in healing of four of six patients (67 percent) in whom it was attempted. Gracilis muscle transfer was successful in two of two patients (100 percent). CONCLUSION: Persistent rectovaginal fistula presents a difficult management problem. Choice of operation must be tailored to the underlying pathology and type of repair previously done. Advancement flap repair is generally not recommended for persistent complex fistulas or for simple fistulas that have failed a previous advancement flap repair.Dr. MacRae was supported in part by the Wigston Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 7 to 12, 1995.     

Surgical therapy for Crohn's disease

Most patients with Crohn's disease will require at least one operation for that condition, either an operation to correct a complication of Crohn's disease (abscess, fistula, or bleeding) or for intractability (the failure of medical management to provide relief of disabling symptoms). Proper timing of surgery and careful preoperative preparation of the patient with special attention to control sepsis and to improving nutritional status will make the operation safer. Because of the tendency for Crohn's disease to progress despite medical or surgical therapy recurrences after operation are common and the surgical procedure should be limited to correcting the complication at hand. For Crohn's disease of the small bowel or of the terminal ileum and right colon, a conservative intestinal resection and anastomosis is usually the procedure of choice; nonresective procedures such as bypass and strictureplasty are useful in special situations. More than half of the patients so treated will eventually develop recurrence that may require one or more subsequent operations. The adverse effects of resection will be minimized by conservative surgery and by careful long-term management of the altered intestinal physiology. Some patients with Crohn's colitis have limited colonic disease where continence can be preserved by resection and anastomosis, although the recurrence rate is high. Total proctocolectomy for Crohn's colitis provides much better assurance of long-term freedom from recurrence but at the cost to the patient of a permanent ileostomy. Surgery for Crohn's disease is not curative but offers effective palliation for the complications of this progressive and poorly understood condition.     

Rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease

Summary and Conclusions Low rectovaginal fistulas occur in Crohn's disease but are not common. As with other manifestations of anorectal Crohn's disease, their incidence is directly proportional to the closeness of the diseased segment of bowel to the anus. Rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease signifies a bad prognosis. The fistula will not heal when treatment is limited to either medical treatment or proximal diversion of the fecal stream. Direct surgical treatment is reserved for those patients whose symptoms are unacceptable despite medical treatment. In nearly all of these cases, ileostomy and abdominoperineal excision are necessary. However, a few cases may be repaired when the rectal segment is normal and other conditions are favorable. Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, June 11 to 15, 1978. This paper received the Purdue Frederick Education Committee Award.     

Long-term success rate after surgical treatment of anorectal and rectovaginal fistulas in Crohn’s disease

Background  Due to the considerable variety in the clinical presentation of anorectal and rectovaginal fistulas in Crohn’s disease, data on treatment results for each type of fistula are limited. The aim of this study was to summarize the results after surgical treatment of such fistulas in a large consecutive series of patients. Patients and methods  All patients with anorectal or rectovaginal fistula due to Crohn’s disease requiring surgery in our institution between 1991 and 2001 were extracted from a prospective database. A standardized telephone interview was conducted and patients were followed in our outpatient clinic, the department of internal medicine, or at their gastroenterologist. Type of fistula and interventions were classified and analyzed. Recurrence-free time intervals were estimated for each type of fistula and for the different surgical procedures. The influence of the surgical procedure, the number of operations performed, and the correlation to other localizations of the disease were analyzed in regard to the recurrence rate. Results  From 777 patients with Crohn’s disease undergoing surgery between 1991 and 2001, 147 had anorectal or rectovaginal fistula (292 operations). Ninety-eight percent of them also had Crohn’s disease in the colon or rectum compared to only 21% of patients without a fistula (p value <0.001). Over long-term follow-up, 29 patients (20%) required proctectomy. Submucosal fistulas needed major surgery in only 14% of cases compared to 56% of cases with rectovaginal fistulas. After 5 years, complex fistulas showed a strong trend towards a higher recurrence rate after surgery than simple submucosal fistulas (45.6% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.079). Whereas recurrences occurred over the whole observation period in the group of patients with complex fistulas, there was no further recurrence in patients with submucosal fistulas 13 months after surgery. In rectovaginal fistulas, additional levatorplasty showed no advantage over standard endorectal advancement flap. Conclusions  Long-term follow-up demonstrates that recurrence rates after repair of complex fistulas for Crohn’s disease are high and continuously increase over time. Submucosal fistulas have the best outcome; after 13 months without recurrence, definite cure can be expected.     

The natural history of perianal Crohn''s disease

Perianal lesions are exceedingly common in Crohn's disease and many patients have more than one type of lesion. Skin tags, fissures and haemorrhoids may persist over time and are usually managed expectantly or with topical therapy. Perianal and rectovaginal fistulas and associated abscesses often require both local and systemic therapy, and recurrence is common. In general, the clinical course of Crohn's disease is more aggressive in patients with perianal involvement. Established risk factors for perianal disease include colonic disease and young age at disease onset. Classification schema now recognize perianal fistulas as distinct from other forms of penetrating Crohn's disease. Genetic susceptibility factors for perianal disease may exist, but they remain incompletely delineated at present. There is hope that immunosuppressive and biotechnology medications will influence the natural history of perianal disease by preventing invasive surgeries, disease complications and recurrence, but this needs to be confirmed. Cancer, a rare complication of perianal disease, must be suspected when lesions persist despite therapy.     

Coloanal Sleeve Anastomosis (Soave Procedure): The Ultimate Treatment Option for Complex Rectourinary Fistulas

Purpose Acquired rectourinary fistulas represent a therapeutic challenge. Multiple previous unsuccessful procedures increase the difficulty of successful repair, leaving many patients with no option other than permanent urinary and/or fecal diversion. We report our experience with coloanal sleeve anastomosis (Soave procedure) as a salvage procedure for complex rectourinary fistulas. Methods Between 1994 and 2005, eight males (median age, 60 (range, 33–72) years) had Soave procedure in our institution. Four fistulas were the result of radical prostatectomy and four followed anterior resection for rectal cancer after radiochemotherapy. The location of the fistulas was bladder (n = 5) and urethra (n = 3). Five patients had previous attempts at surgical repair (median, 2 (range, 1–3) operations). The Soave procedure was chosen as first-line treatment because of fistula size (20 mm and 30 mm) in two patients and because of concomitant severe radiation proctitis in one patient. Results Morbidity was 38 percent. All patients had a temporary ileostomy, which was successfully reversed in seven patients. One patient required ileal pouch-anal anastomosis on postoperative Day 1 because of necrosis of the descended colon. Two patients had recurrent fistulas at two and three months respectively. One patient had moderate problems with this recurrent fistula and had his stoma closed, but the other patient required a permanent ileostomy. Conclusions Soave procedure is an effective treatment for complex rectourinary fistula in the setting of high-dose pelvic radiation or after failed previous repair attempts.     

Autologous fibrin glue in the treatment of rectovaginal and complex fistulas

This nonrandomized series reports the use of autologous fibrin glue to treat complex rectovaginal and anorectal fistulas. The use of an autologous source to prepare fibrin glue eliminates the risk of disease transmission. Ten patients, six women and four men, with complex fistulas were treated with autologous fibrin glue application. Five patients had rectovaginal fistulas; one of them had Crohn's disease. Five patients had complex anal fistulas; two of them had Crohn's disease, and one had a large postanal ulcer associated with HIV disease. All patients had outpatient preoperative mechanical bowel preparation and prophylactic parenteral antibiotics. Six of the ten patients (60 percent) reported complete healing of the fistulas. Follow-up ranged from three months to one year. Four of five rectovaginal fistulas healed. The two patients with Crohn's disease and complex anal fistulas and the patient with HIV disease did not heal, but all three reported significantly less drainage. Autologous fibrin glue is a viable alternative for the treatment of recurrent rectovaginal and complex abscess/fistulas.     

Long-term outcome of total colectomy and ileostomy for Crohn disease

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to review long-term results of total colectomy and end ileostomy for Crohn disease. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients who underwent total colectomy and end ileostomy with an oversewn rectal stump for Crohn disease between 1962 and 1997 were reviewed. Postoperative complications, fate of the rectum or small-bowel recurrence, factors affecting complications and recurrence rates, and risk of rectal carcinoma are discussed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had an emergency colectomy. There were no operative or postoperative deaths. In all except five patients symptoms were rapidly relieved. The commonest postoperative complication was an intra-abdominal sepsis (12%). Only five patients (7%) underwent ileorectal anastomosis, of whom two required proctectomy later. Overall, 37 patients (54%) required proctectomy, with a median duration of 2 years. Sixteen patients (23%) developed small-bowel recurrence requiring surgery, with a median duration of 6.8 years. None of the following factors affected the proctectomy rate: sex, age at operation, duration of symptoms, smoking, perforating disease, coexisting small-bowel disease, preoperative proctitis, perianal disease, emergency operation, postoperative complications, or medical treatment. Youth was the only factor associated with a significantly higher reoperation rate for small-bowel recurrence. One patient developed an adenocarcinoma in a rectovaginal fistula, which was curatively resected at proctectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Total colectomy and end ileostomy is a safe and effective procedure. However, a few patients underwent ileorectal anastomosis, and half of the patients required proctectomy. The small-bowel recurrence rate is low. Regular surveillance of the retained rectum is advised because of a small cancer risk.