ABSTRACT

To describe the clinical features of a series of nine patients with rectovagi-nal fistula and report the different surgical approaches. Nine patients were operated on by various surgical approaches for rectovaginal fistula between 2002 and 2005. These various surgical procedures and their results are dis-cussed. Obstetric and prior perineal-rectal surgeries were found to be the most common causes of rectovaginal fistula in our series. Flatus incontinen-ce and vaginal soiling were leading symptoms at admission. Seven different surgical procedures were indicated, and in five patients ileostomy or colos-tomy was added to the surgical procedures. No major complications were detected, and no recurrences were observed during the follow-up period. The treatment of rectovaginal fistula is difficult and requires special surgical expertise. Patients should be operated on by specialist teams knowledgeable about all possible surgical alternatives.