Diagnosis and management of congenital rectourethral fistula in a child with long tubular duplication of the colon and Klippel-Feil syndrome

A Curious Case of Rectal Ejaculation

Rectal-prostate fistulas are uncommon anatomical connections between the prostatic urethra and rectum that are typically iatrogenic but can also result from other underlying pathology. Here, we present a unique case of a rectal-prostate fistula causing the rectal passage of sperm.

A 33-year-old male with a history of illicit drug use presented with five days of testicular pain and a substantial amount of sperm passage from his rectum with ejaculation for the past two years. Computed tomography and voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) of the pelvis revealed evidence of a rectal-prostate fistula. He was treated with piperacillin-tazobactam, and a surgical fistula repair was performed. Further investigation divulged a three-week comatose state due to cocaine and phencyclidine intoxication two years prior with documentation suggesting a traumatic Foley catheter placement and strong suspicion for premature balloon dilation in the prostatic urethra. Repeat VCUG revealed resolution of the fistula with mildly reduced antegrade ejaculatory volume.

Cases secondary to Foley catheter placement have not been previously reported in the literature. Even though urethral catheters have been shown to be effective tools in healthcare, it is crucial for clinicians to recognize the numerous potential complications that oftentimes become an afterthought to many providers. This case not only highlights a rare complication of catheter use but also emphasizes the importance of provider mindfulness when utilizing seemingly benign therapies such as Foley catheters.

Airway management in newborn with Klippel-Feil syndrome

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) has a classical triad that includes short neck, low hair line and restriction in neck motion and is among one of the congenital causes of difficult airway. Herein, we present a 26-day, 3300g newborn with KFS who was planned to be operated for correction of an intestinal obstruction. She had features of severe KFS. Anesthesia was induced by inhalation of sevoflurane 2-3% in percentage 100 oxygen. Sevoflurane inhalation was stopped after 2min. Her Cornmack Lehane score was 2 and oral intubation was performed with 3.5mm ID non-cuffed endotracheal tube in first attempt. Operation lasted for 45min. Following uneventful surgery, she was not extubated and was transferred to the newborn reanimation unit. On the postoperative third day, the patient died due to hyperdynamic heart failure. This case is the youngest child with Klippel-Feil syndrome in literature and on whom oral intubation was performed. We also think that positioning of this younger age group might be easier than older age groups due to incomplete ossification process.

Salvage irrigation-suction in gracilis muscle repair of complex rectovaginal and rectourethral fistulas

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of gracilis muscle transposition and postoperative salvage irrigation-suction in the treatment of complex rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) and rectourethral fistulas (RUFs).

METHODS: Between May 2009 and March 2012, 11 female patients with complex RVFs and 8 male patients with RUFs were prospectively enrolled. Gracilis muscle transposition was undertaken in all patients and postoperative wound irrigation-suction was performed in patients with early leakage. Efficacy was assessed in terms of the success rate and surgical complications. SF-36 quality of life (QOL) scores and Wexner fecal incontinence scores were compared before and after surgery.

RESULTS: The fistulas healed in 14 patients after gracilis muscle transposition; the initial healing rate was 73.7%. Postoperative leakage occurred and continuous irrigation-suction of wounds was undertaken in 5 patients: 4 healed and 1 failed, and postoperative fecal diversions were performed for the patient whose treatment failed. At a median follow-up of 17 mo, the overall healing rate was 94.7%. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 cases. Significant improvement was observed in the quality outcomes framework scores (P < 0.001) and Wexner fecal incontinence scores (P = 0.002) after the successful healing of complex RVFs or RUFs. There was no significant difference in SF-36 QOL scores between the initial healing group and irrigation-suction-assisted healing group.

CONCLUSION: Gracilis muscle transposition and postoperative salvage wound irrigation-suction gained a high success rate in the treatment of complex RVFs and RUFs. QOL and fecal incontinence were significantly improved after the successful healing of RVFs and RUFs.

Hybrid surgical repair of complete tubular colonic duplication associated with anovestibular and anocutaneous fistulas

Complete tubular colonic duplication is a rare and complex anomaly. We present a new technique consisting of anterior sagittal anorectoplasty and fenestration of the duplicated colon using a hybrid method, involving single-incisional laparoscope-assisted and endoscopic procedures, for a case of complete tubular colonic duplication associated with anovestibular and anocutaneous fistulas.

Colorectal duplication with prostatorectal fistulae

Tubular colonic duplications are rare malformations and its association with prostatorectal fistula is extremely rare with only one case reported to date. We report the successful management of an 8 year old child with communicating tubular colonic duplication with prostatorectal fistulae. Tubular colonic duplications may be difficult to diagnose due to varied presentations, therefore a high degree of suspicion should be present while managing children with isolated congenital recto urinary fistulas.