Clinical outcome of anterior overlapping external anal sphincter repair with internal anal sphincter imbrication

Fecal incontinence caused by overt anterior sphincter defects sustained during childbirth is usually treated by a delayed overlapping repair of the external anal sphincter. However, an obstetric trauma is frequently associated with disruption of the perineal body and loss of the distal rectovaginal septum. Data regarding a combined repair, consisting of restoration of the rectovaginal septum and perineal body, overlapping external anal sphincter repair, and imbrication of the internal anal sphincter, are scanty. PURPOSE: This prospective study was aimed at the following: 1) evaluating the clinical outcome of such an anterior anal repair in patients with fecal incontinence caused by obstetric trauma; 2) comparing the functional results with those obtained in a historical group of patients who underwent a conventional direct sphincter repair. METHODS: During the period between 1973 and 1989, 24 female patients (median age, 44 (range, 28–67) years) with fecal incontinence underwent direct sphincter repair (Group I). During the period between 1989 and 1994, a consecutive series of 31 female patients (median age, 46 (range, 23–78) years) with fecal incontinence underwent anterior anal repair (Group II). RESULTS: At two years of follow-up, continence had been restored in 15 patients (63 percent) in Group I, whereas restoration of continence was successful in 21 patients (68 percent) in Group II. CONCLUSION: The more complex anterior anal repair fails to confer clinical benefit compared with the rather simple direct sphincter repair.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 7 to 12, 1995.     

Postoperative anal canal length predicts outcome in patients having sphincter repair for fecal incontinence

PURPOSE: Controversy exists in regard to the prognostic value of clinical data and physiological tests in patients undergoing sphincter repair for fecal incontinence. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors. METHODS: Between 1986 and 1996, 405 consecutive patients had a sphincter repair for fecal incontinence. Preoperative and postoperative manometric data were available on 51 of these patients, and these patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative continence was scored using the four-level scale of Browning and Parks. Mean follow-up was 16.2 (median, 6; range, 1–96) months. Mean age was 41 (median, 36; range, 21–80) years, and 46 (90 percent) patients were female. RESULTS: Twenty-three (45 percent) patients had perfect continence postoperatively, whereas 41 (80 percent) patients demonstrated improvement in continence score after sphincter repair. Using univariate analysis, various clinical and anal physiologic data were analyzed for an association with postoperative continence score. Postoperative mean resting pressure and postoperative anal canal length were both significantly related to postoperative continence (r _s ^B for Spearman correlation coefficient to differentiate from r for the Pearson coefficient. =0.442;P=0.0012; andr _s=0.440;P=0.0012, respectively), whereas postoperative mean squeeze pressure was not (r _s=0.273;P=0.0529). Postoperative mean resting pressure and anal canal length were entered into a logistic regression model. Postoperative mean resting pressure was not significant (P=0.6643), and when it was dropped from the model, postoperative anal canal length was highly significant (estimated odds ratio, 3.2; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1–9.3;P=0.0047) in predicting postoperative continence. CONCLUSIONS: No preoperative data predicted functional outcome, and in contrast to other studies, postoperative anal canal length provides the best prediction of postoperative continence.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Antonio, Texas, May 2 to 7, 1998.     

Early discharge after external anal sphincter repair

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe an accelerated-stay program for repair of the external anal sphincter. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients undergoing overlapping repair of the external anal sphincter were included in the study. Effect parameters were length of hospitalization and complications within 30 days after the operation. Surgery was performed during the period of March 1993 to May 1997. The accelerated-stay program included preoperative information, no premedication, a surgical procedure without colostomy, single-dose prophylactic antibiotics, paracetamol for analgesia, free oral fluid and food immediately after the operation supplemented by laxatives, and enforced mobilization. Follow-up by questionnaire was performed at a median of 14 (range, 4–52) months after the operation. RESULTS: Median hospital stay was one day. Fifteen patients were discharged the day after surgery and 5 patients stayed for 48 hours after the operation. There was no 30-day morbidity, and no patient received a colostomy in conjunction with the sphincter repair. Fourteen of 19 patients available for follow-up reported a significantly improved functional result compared with preoperative state. CONCLUSION: We have described a safe accelerated-stay program (24 to 48 hours) for overlapping repair of external anal sphincter.     

Anal sphincter repair in patients with obstetric trauma

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine whether advancing age affects the outcome of anal sphincter repair in patients with obstetric trauma and fecal incontinence. METHODS: Anal sphincter repair was performed on 24 patients younger than 40 (median age, 30) years and on 14 patients older than 40 (median age, 57) years. All patients had previous obstetric trauma. RESULTS: Twenty patients younger than 40 years (83 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 63–95 percent) became continent, or incontinent to flatus only, after anal sphincter repair, whereas four patients had unchanged incontinence. Among patients older than 40 years, six patients (43 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 18–71 percent) became continent, whereas eight patients remained incontinent (40 percent difference in functional outcome between younger and older patients; 95 percent confidence interval, 10–70 percent). CONCLUSION: Older females have a poorer outcome of anal sphincter repair for obstetric trauma compared with younger females.     

Previous sphincter repair does not affect the outcome of repeat repair

PURPOSE: As many as 60 percent of patients present with recurrent symptoms of fecal incontinence after anterior overlapping anal sphincter repair. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of repeat overlapping anal sphincter repair. METHODS: All female patients with obstetric sphincter damage who underwent anterior overlapping sphincter repair between November 1988 and June 2000 were reviewed. All patients were preoperatively assessed by anorectal manometry, electromyography, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency; manometry was repeated during follow-up. Preoperative endoanal ultrasonography was available only after 1990. Clinical outcome was assessed according to the Cleveland Clinic Florida Incontinence Score. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-one patients were available for analysis, 115 without previous surgery and 36 after at least one previous sphincter repair. The median follow-up was 13 (range, 1–64) months and 20 (range, 2–96) months, respectively. The median incontinence score improved from 18 to 5 (P < 0.0001) in patients without previous repair and from 17.5 to 7 (P < 0.0001) in patients after previous repair. In the former group, the outcome was good in 67 (58 percent) patients, adequate in 19 (16.5 percent), and poor in 29 (25.5 percent). In the group with previous sphincter repair, the outcome was good in 18 patients (50 percent), adequate in 4 (11 percent), and poor in 14 (39 percent; P = 0.2646). The mean resting pressure increased from 20 (range, 3–43) mmHg to 24 (range, 10–44) mmHg and from 27 (range, 4–56) mmHg to 32 (range, 16–45) mmHg, respectively. The mean squeeze pressure increased from 60 (range, 23–63) mmHg to 67 (range, 33–114) mmHg and from 54 (range, 25–90) mmHg to 70 (range, 34–95) mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSION: Previous sphincter repair does not affect clinical outcome. Repeat anterior overlapping sphincter repair yields a significant improvement in the continence score and should be considered as the treatment of choice in patients with fecal incontinence who have had previous sphincter repair and residual anterior sphincter damage.     

Traumatic anal incontinence results of surgical repair

The results after surgical repair of traumatic anal incontinence in 23 patients, 12 with simple lesions and 11 with complicated lesions, were analyzed. Overlapping suture was the standard technique in simple lesions, whereas additional procedures were necessary in complicated lesions. Fifteen patients (65 percent; 95 percent confidence limits: 43–83) had excellent results and seven (30 percent; 13–53) had acceptable results. In patients with simple lesions, the result was excellent in nine (75 percent; 43–94), and was excellent also in six patients with complicated lesions (55 percent; 23–83).     

Advantages of a posterior fourchette incision in anal sphincter repair

PURPOSE: Delayed repair of obstetric-related anal sphincter injury remains problematic, and perineal wound breakdown is common. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome after overlap anal sphincter repair and to determine the advantages, if any, of a posterior fourchette incision (n=18) compared with a conventional perineal incision (n=32). METHODS: Fifty females of mean parity 2.8 (standard deviation, 1.6) underwent repair in a five-year period. The mean follow-up was 23 months. Assessment was by anal vector manometry, endoanal ultrasound, and continence scoring. RESULTS: Functional outcomes were similar in the two groups. Repair increased squeeze-pressure increment and improved continence scores in both groups. Postoperative wound complications were fewer when a posterior fourchette incision was used compared with a perineal incision (11 vs. 44 percent, respectively;P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed anal sphincter repair improves continence. A posterior fourchette approach is associated with fewer postoperative wound complications without compromising the quality of repair and the functional outcome.Poster presentation at the European Association of Coloproctology, Versailles, France, September 15 to 16 2000.     

A new concept of the anatomy of the anal sphincter mechanism and the physiology of defecation

The role of the external and internal anal sphincters in the mechanism of anal continence is presented. The external sphincter induces continence by 1) preventing internal sphincter relaxation, what I have called the “voluntary inhibition action,” and 2) mechanical compression of the rectal neck and anal canal proper. The mechanism of both actions is described. The internal sphincter plays a significant role not only in involuntary, but also in voluntary, continence. The importance of this role in the correction of anal incontinence is clarified. “Stress defecation,” a condition which follows internal sphincter damage, is discussed. A “single loop continence” theory is presented, based on the fact that each of the three loops of the external sphincter has its own innervation, attachment, and direction of muscle bundles; each loop thus acts as a separate sphincter. The clinical application of this theory is presented.     

中晚期自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床病理研究

目的探讨中晚期自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化（AIH-PBC）重叠综合征的临床病理特征及治疗直答。方法对具有肝穿刺标本的11例PBC-AIH重叠综合征和13例PBC（Seheuer分期3、4期）患者进行比较，重点分析AIH-PBC重叠综合征的临床、病理特点及治疗应答。结果两组患者的性别、年龄、病程、症状无显著差异；AIH-PBC重叠综合征患者的丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、γ-球蛋白、免疫球蛋白IgG以及抗核抗体或抗平滑肌抗体阳性率明显高于PBC（P〈0．05）。肝组织学见汇管区与肝腺泡内以单个核细胞为主的较多炎细胞浸润，其中易见浆细胞的聚积性浸润。可见不同时期小胆管损伤或毛细胆管反应性增生并侵蚀肝界板；重叠综合征患者经熊去氧胆酸治疗可使肝功能改善，与PBC患者无明显差异。结论中晚期AIH-PBC重叠综合征临床、血清学及组织病理学表现出AIH和PBC双重特征，UDCA治疗有助于血生化指标的改善。     

自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化重叠综合征的临床病理研究

目的 探讨自身免疫性肝炎-原发性胆汁性肝硬化（AIH-PBC）重叠综合征的临床病理特征及治疗应答。方法 对具有肝穿刺标本的16例PBC—AIH重叠综合征、26例Ⅰ型AIH和25例PBC（Scheuer分期Ⅰ、Ⅱ期）患者进行比较，重点分析AIH—PBC重叠综合征的临床、病理特点及治疗应答。结果 3组患者的性别、年龄、病程、症状无显著性差异；AIH—PBC重叠综合征患者血清碱性磷酸酶、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶、免疫球蛋白IgM以及抗线粒体抗体（AMA）、AMA—M2阳性率明显高于AIH组（P〈0．05）；而丙氨酸转氨酶、天冬氨酸转氨酶、7-球蛋白、免疫球蛋白IgG以及抗核抗体或抗平滑肌抗体阳性率明显高于PBC（P〈0．05）。AIH—PBC重叠综合征患者肝组织学示界面炎／碎屑样坏死、小叶内炎症及胆管病变；重叠综合征患者接受熊去氧胆酸治疗可使肝功能改善。结论 AIH—PBC重叠综合征临床、血清学及组织病理学表现出AIH和PBC双重特征，UDCA治疗有助于血生化学指标的改善。     

PBC-AIH重叠综合征临床与病理特征:一项回顾性研究

目的 通过回顾性分析研究比较原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)-自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)重叠综合征与单纯的PBC患者的临床、生化和免疫学指标以及组织学特征.方法 经我院诊断的PBC患者按目前的PBC诊断标准再评估,共计48例入选.同时用修订的国际自身免疫性肝炎协作组(International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group,IAIH-G)积分系统进行评估积分,对于AMA阳性且治疗前积分至少达到10分者,定义为PBC-AIH重叠综合征.对两组病人的临床表现、生化和免疫学指标以及组织学特征进行分析.结果 17例患者(女性占16例)为PBC-AIH重叠综合征,31例(女性占30例)不具有重叠AIH的特点为单纯PBC.PBC-AIH重叠综合征最常见的临床表现为乏力或疲劳(58.8%)、纳差(23.5%)及黄疸(23.5%).与PBC患者相比,重叠综合征患者在确诊时的平均年龄、免疫球蛋白IgM、血清ALP和GGT水平无统计学差异;而血清转氨酶水平(ALT和AST分别为:165.0±25.9 vs 87.1±8.7、177.5±32.3 vs 86.3±10.9,P均<0.01)、球蛋白和IgG水平显著升高.组织学分析提示,所有的重叠综合征患者存在中-重度界面性肝炎或碎屑样坏死,82.4%的患者存在肝细胞玫瑰花环样改变,64.7%的患者同时存在胆管病变.结论 PBC-AIH重叠综合征患者血清转氨酶水平和IgG水平明显高于单纯PBC患者,组织学主要特征为中.重度界面性肝炎、肝细胞玫瑰花环样改变以及同时伴有胆管病变.     

Anal sphincter repair for obstetric injury: Manometric evaluation of functional results

Anal manometry before and after surgical repair on a homogeneous group of patients with anterior sphincter defect caused by obstetric injury defined the parameters affected by the repair to achieve anal continence. Between November 1985 and April 1989, 28 patients who underwent anterior anal sphincter reconstruction were studied using anal manometry and were graded for continence. Anal function was improved for 27 of 28 patients (96 percent) relative to their preoperative symptoms, and total control of solid and liquid stools was restored in 21 patients (75 percent). Anal manometry demonstrated that complete control of continence could be achieved if anal sphincter length, resting pressure, and squeeze pressure were restored to normal. Our results showed that sphincter length was improved in 20 patients (71 percent), resting pressure in 16 patients (57 percent), and squeeze pressure in 22 patients (79 percent). The most important factor in achieving normal function of the anal sphincter is restoration of a normal squeeze pressure.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, St. Louis, Missouri, April 29 to May 4, 1990.     

Pudendal neuropathy and severity of incontinence but not presence of an anal sphincter defect may determine the response to biofeedback therapy in fecal incontinence

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that the severity of fecal incontinence, the presence of pudendal neuropathy, or an external anal sphincter defect does not preclude clinical improvement with biofeedback therapy. A discrepancy, however, is frequently found between subjective improvement and objective results after biofeedback therapy. Our aim was to assess whether severity of fecal incontinence, presence of pudendal neuropathy, or an external anal sphincter defect could influence the results of manometric parameters after biofeedback therapy in patients with fecal incontinence. METHODS: Biofeedback therapy was used to treat 27 patients with fecal incontinence (25 women; mean age, 53; range, 29–74 years), according to a strict protocol. Manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, and anal ultrasound were performed in all patients before biofeedback therapy. Manometric evaluation of external anal sphincter function was performed after the biofeedback sessions. RESULTS: Eight of 27 patients had a good clinical response to biofeedback, but with no significant difference in their mean amplitude and duration of squeeze pressure before and after biofeedback. There was no relationship between the clinical results of biofeedback therapy and the initial severity of fecal incontinence, pudendal neuropathy, or external sphincter defect. Patients with severe incontinence (incontinence to solids) and pudendal neuropathy failed to improve the amplitude and duration of their maximum voluntary contraction after biofeedback therapy. Patients with mild fecal incontinence (incontinence to flatus, liquids, or both) (P<0.04), without pudendal neuropathy (P<0.02), or with (P<0.05) and without (P<0.05) external sphincter defect improved their external anal sphincter function after biofeedback therapy. CONCLUSION: In patients with fecal incontinence, the severity of symptoms and pudendal neuropathy should be considered as two factors of poor prognosis of favorable manometric results after biofeedback therapy. Improvement, on the other hand, may be expected after biofeedback therapy despite an external anal sphincter defect.Presented at the XXIst congress of the Societé Internationale Francophone d'Urodynamique, Lisbon, Portugal, May 14 to 16, 1998.     

Anal Incontinence After Obstetric Sphincter Tears: Outcome of Anatomic Primary Repairs

PURPOSE Obstetric sphincter tears lead to anal incontinence in 40 to 60 percent of affected women. Primary repair is usually performed without identifying the internal anal sphincter. Since 1999 digestive surgeons have participated in the primary repair of such tears at our hospital. The intention was to perform separate repair of the internal and external anal sphincter in cases of combined tears to achieve a lower incontinence rate than is usually reported after conventional primary repair. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our results after anatomic primary repair.METHOD A follow-up study was undertaken after all primary repairs performed in 1999 and 2000. It included anal ultrasonography manometry and an assessment of incontinence (Wexner score).RESULTS A total of 74 women sustained obstetric sphincter tears during the study period, and 71 (96 percent) were assessed after a median of 27 months (range, 14–39 months). Nine women declined investigation with ultrasonography/manometry. Incontinence was present in 22 women (31 percent), of whom 17 had gas incontinence only. The symptoms were mild (Wexner score 1–2) in 11 women (50 percent). None of 17 women with normal ultrasonography results were incontinent versus 20 of 45 with pathologic ultrasonographic results (P = 0.001). The mean sphincter length, squeeze pressure, and resting pressure were significantly higher in women with Wexner scores of 0–2 vs. women with a score of more than 2. Sphincter length was inversely correlated with the degree of incontinence (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS The incontinence rate after anatomic primary repair is low compared with the last decades reported results after conventional primary repair. A short anal sphincter after repair is associated with a poorer outcome.Read at the XXXVI Nordic Meeting of Gastroenterology, Oslo, Norway, June 2 to 5, 2004.Reprints are not available.     

Anal sphincter reconstruction in the elderly: Does advancing age affect outcome?

PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine whether advancing age affects outcome after anal sphincter reconstruction. METHOD: Anal sphincter reconstruction, performed on patients 55 years of age and older, was reviewed to determine if functional outcome was adversely affected by advancing age. A subgroup of patients was studied with anal manometry before and after repair and with pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) before surgery. Results were compared with a younger group of patients. RESULTS: Between July 1986 and July 1991, 14 patients, ages ranging from 55 to 81, underwent anal sphincter reconstruction using an overlapping muscle repair. Ten patients were incontinent of solid stool and four of liquid stool. Improvement was seen in 13 of 14 patients: 7 (50 percent) complete control, 3 (21 percent) incontinent to flatus, and 4 (29 percent) incontinent to liquid stools (including the patient who failed to improve). Ten patients were studied with a continuous pull-out manometric technique and PNTML: one was not improved. There was minimum change in mean maximum resting pressure (35.0–37.9 mmHg). Mean maximum squeezing pressure increased from 66 to 75 mmHg overall. Patients with complete control had a mean maximum squeezing pressure of 81 mmHg compared with 60 mmHg in patients with residual incontinence. Mean anterior anal sphincter length increased from 2.92 cm to 331 cm. PNTML was normal (2.0±0.2) on one or both sides in all nine patients who improved (average, 2.1). The patient who failed to improve had abnormal nerve function bilaterally (2.4, 2.7). CONCLUSION: Anal sphincter reconstruction can be performed in elderly patients with improvements in the majority of patients. Total control can be achieved by restoring maximum squeezing pressure in a patient with normal pudendal nerve function.Poster presentation at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Francisco, California, June 7 to 12, 1992.     

Recovery of anal sphincter function following transabdominal repair of rectal prolapse: Cause of improved continence?

Twenty-eight patients with complete rectal prolapse underwent anorectal manometry before and 6 months and 1–2 years after abdominal rectopexy and sigmoid resection in a study of the mechanisms responsible for postoperatively improved anal continence. Preoperatively, 22 patients reported defective anal control. Seven patients (all with minor incontinence) regained normal control and eight other patients achieved improved continence after surgery. Anal resting, squeeze, and voluntary contraction pressures were significantly lower for defective than for normal control, with a significant rise in these pressures at 6 months after the operation, except for those incontinent patients in whom continence was not improved. No further pressure rise was seen later. Improvement of continence was not accompanied by changes in rectal sensation or reflexive functions of the internal anal sphincter. These results suggest that recovery of the resting and voluntary contraction functions of the sphincter muscles was the cause of continence improvement observed after surgery. Anal manometry was unable to predict outcome of function. Therefore, supplementary procedures for restoration of continence are not advisable, although patients with only minor incontinence are likely to regain full continence after rectopexy alone.     

Delayed repair of obstetric injuries of the anorectum and vagina

PURPOSE: We categorized the various types of postobstetric injuries of the anorectum and vagina encountered in a five-year period. The operative procedures used to repair these injuries and the functional outcome after surgery were assessed. METHODS: Between 1986 and 1991, 52 patients were surgically treated for obstetric injuries of the anorectum and vagina; 48 patients were available for follow-up study. Four clinical injury types were identified: Type I, incontinent anal sphincter (11 patients); Type II, rectovaginal fistula (16 patients); Type III, rectovaginal fistula and incontinent anal sphincter (11 patients); and Type IV, cloaca-like defect (10 patients). The mean age of the patients was 30 years, the mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 13 months, and the mean follow-up period was 16 months. The major component of surgical repair for each injury type was: Type I, overlap repair of external anal sphincter; Type II, rectal mucosal advancement flap; Type III, overlap repair of external anal sphincter and rectal mucosal advancement flap; and Type IV, overlap repair of external anal sphincter, anterior levatorplasty, and anal and vaginal mucosal reconstruction. Fecal diversion was not performed in any patient. Specific questions were asked at the most recent follow-up assessment to determine results. RESULTS: Continence status postoperatively was classified as perfect, impaired, or poor; poor was defined as no improvement or worse. Postoperative continence (perfect, impaired, or poor) was, respectively: Type I (11 patients), 64 percent, 36 percent, and 0 percent; Type II (16 patients), 56 percent, 0 percent, and 44 percent; Type III (11 patients), 64 percent, 36 percent, and 0 percent; and Type IV (10 patients), 90 percent, 10 percent, and 0 percent. Vaginal discharge of stool was eliminated in all patients with a rectovaginal fistula. Subjectively, 92 percent of the patients had excellent or good results. Complications included wound hematoma (n=2), fecal impaction (n=2), urinary retention (n=1), and urinary tract infection (n=1). CONCLUSION: Patients with Type II injuries had the worst results (P < 0.001). These patients should be evaluated for anal incontinence before surgery to assess the need for a concomitant sphincteroplasty.     

Survival without surgical repair of acute rupture of the right ventricular free wall

Rupture of the myocardial free wall is an infrequent complication of acute myocardial infarction. Unless it occurs in a space confined by pericardial adhesions, only surgical emergency repair of ruptured myocardium can prevent death. In this paper we report the case of an 81-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency room with cardiac tamponade, resulting from inferolateral acute myocardial infarction and a subsequent rupture of the right ventricular free wall, with the formation of pericardial thrombus and effusion. The patient refused to undergo any surgical or invasive intervention, and therefore she was only treated conservatively. Nevertheless, her condition improved dramatically, as her blood pressure increased and echocardiography abnormalities almost disappeared. Follow-up echocardiography 7 months post discharge was unremarkable. We believe that this rare case emphasizes that in special circumstances, such as creation of a thrombus that prevents more blood from extravasating, free-wall rupture without surgical repair is compatible with long-term survival.     

Rectovaginal septal repair: case presentations and introduction of a modified reconstruction technique

Abstract Rectovaginal fistula are a relatively rare kind of anorectal fistulas. Spontaneous healing is rare and the rectal advancement flap repair is the most popular procedure with success rates ranging between 60% and 80%. We present a new technique for repairing damage in the rectovaginal septum that consists of placing a folded polyglycolic acid mesh (Dexon) between the levator ani muscle closure area and the vaginal wall. This absorbable mesh separates the suture lines on the vaginal and rectal walls, and induces fibrosis and healing. The technique was performed in four women suffering from a rectovaginal fistula due to different causes. It was successful in all cases.