Gracilis muscle transposition for iatrogenic rectourethral fistula. Ann Surg. 2003;237:483-487. [PMID: 12677143 DOI: 10.1097/00000658-200304000-00008]

Management of Recurrent Rectourethral Fistula by York Mason Posterior Transrectal Transsphincteric Approach

Rectourethral fistula (RUF) may develop after ureterovesical and rectal intervention or radiation therapy (RT) rarely, but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The patient will typically present with pneumaturia, faecaluria, and urinary drainage from the rectum. Diagnosis can be easily done with digital rectal examination, cystography, and urethrocystoscopy. Conservative supportive management of RUF does not appear to be successful in most patients, and management with surgical intervention remains the best treatment option. Several surgical techniques have been described including transabdominal, transanal, transperineal, combined abdominoperineal, anterior and posterior transsphincteric, transsacral, laparoscopic, robotic, and endoscopic minimally invasive approaches. There have been very few data about treatment of recurrent RUF. We would like to report the management of recurrent RUF following transurethral resection of prostate and RT for prostate carcinoma in an immunosuppressed, 75-year-old patient by York Mason posterior transrectal transsphincteric approach.

Testicular Interposition Flap for Repair of Perineal Urinary Fistulae: A Novel Surgical Technique

Rectourinary fistulae and urinary-cutaneous fistulae are a rare yet devastating complication. Current options for tissue interposition include rectus, gracilis, or gluteal muscle, omentum, or intestine for use in coloanal pull-through procedures. In elderly patients, testicular interposition flaps may be an excellent tissue option to use when vitalized tissue is necessary to supplement fistula repair. Elderly patients frequently have increased spermatic cord length, potentially offering a longer flap reach than use of a muscle flap. Additionally, mobilizing one of the testicles and developing it through the external inguinal ring may be a less morbid and less costly procedure than harvesting and tunneling a muscle flap. Longer follow-up and further studies are needed to determine the outcomes of this novel technique.

Robotic rectovesical fistula repair: a successful approach

OBJECTIVE

To describe our technique of robotic rectovesical fistula (RVF) repair through the report of a case unique for its pathogenesis. RVF is a rare but devastating complication of prostatic surgery and can nowadays be managed with a minimally invasive approach.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We describe in detail all the steps of our robotic RVF repair, performed on a 76-year-old man who developed RVF after radical prostatectomy. The RVF had been induced by tissue erosion due to Hem-o-lok(®) (Teleflex Medical, Research Triangle Park, NC) clips and had been unsuccessfully treated with an over-the-scope clip.

RESULTS

Our surgery was successful with an operative time of 70 minutes and an estimated blood loss of 150 mL. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative Day 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our technique of robotic RVF repair was safe and effective. Care must be taken when considering new, endoscopic devices for the cure of RVF. A prospective study with a long follow-up is advised to validate our results.

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.

Feasibility of Gracilis Muscle Flap Interposition for Management of Recurrent Rectovesical/Rectourethral Fistulas: A Single Centre Expertise

<b><i>Background: </i></b>Recurrent rectovesical fistulas are a serious burden for the affected patient. Depending on the size and location of the fistula, the underlying disease as well as the preceding therapies, a definitive surgical treatment of the fistula should be the main goal. We analysed the technique of the transposition of the gracilis muscle as a therapeutical option. <b><i>Methods: </i></b>We analysed data from 3 male patients who were diagnosed with a recurrent rectovesical fistula and were treated by the transposition of the gracilis muscle in the surgical department of Klinikum Oldenburg. <b><i>Results: </i></b>All 3 patients suffered from prostate cancer and were already treated by a different surgical approach while one patient had a second recurrence. Complications arose in two cases in the form of fistula recurrence. <b><i>Conclusion: </i></b>Our study has shown that the interposition of the gracilis muscle provides an option to treat rectovesical fistulas.

Laparoscopic urorectal fistula repair: value of the salvage prostatectomy and review of current approaches

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The surgical approach and repair for urorectal fistula (URF) is a challenging task. A variety of techniques have been described to treat URFs, and the laparoscopic approach has been approved as an efficient tool for even some complex fistulas. We aimed to report our laparoscopic experience for complex URF repair with special emphasis on salvage prostatectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included four men (59-75 years), with laparoscopic repair for complex URFs. URF developed after transurethral resection of the prostate in patients 2 and 3 and after radical prostatectomy in patient 4. Patient 1 had received combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the rectal carcinoma; a prostatic abscess developed that resulted at the end in URF. Laparoscopic salvage prostatectomy was performed for patients 1 and 2. A transvesical laparoscopic approach was performed for patient 3, and a transperitoneal transvesical technique was performed for patient 4. A tunica vaginalis flap was used for patient 1, and peritoneal interposition flaps were developed in patients 2 and 4 mL, and no patients needed intraoperative blood transfusion. Postoperative hospital stay was 12 to 34 days. The urethral catheter was removed on postoperative day 11 to 32, and cystography showed no leakage of contrast except in patient 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic URF repair is safe and efficacious in experienced hands even in complex cases, and salvage laparoscopic prostatectomy seems like a valuable operative option. The technique requires advanced experience, however, particularly with pelvic surgery and intracorporeal suturing.

Surgical Treatment of Iatrogenic Rectourinary Fistula-York-Mason Technique-a Case Report

Introduction. Recto-urinary fistulas resulting from trauma or surgery are a serious and debilitating complication. They represent a challenge not only because of the difficulty on choosing the best technique to solve them but also because of the risk of recurrence. Spontaneous cure is rare. Materials and Methods. We describe the case of a 61-years-old man that on the 9th postoperative day of a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) started with fecaluria and liquid faeces. Recto-urinary fistula was confirmed at the 10th postoperative day by CT scan and contrast enema. Discussion. We chose the York-Mason technique, because it is simple to perform, effective and has minimal morbidity. This is a posterior, transrectal, and transsphincteric approach, carried out on healthy tissues without previous scarring phenomena. Results. The postoperative period progressed without complications, and the patient discharged on the 4th day. The closure of the fistula was confirmed radiologically by retrograde cystography after 4 weeks allowing the removal of drainage catheter. The reconstruction of intestinal transit was carried out 2 months later. Conclusion. The York-Mason technique, a transrectal and transsphincteric approach with minimal morbidity, proved to be effective on the resolution of the recto-urinary fistula, a rare complication of the radical prostatectomy.

Laparoscopic rectovesical fistula repair

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Rectovesical fistula (RVF) is a rare complication of radical prostatectomy. A 62- year-old man with clinically localized prostate cancer underwent open radical prostatectomy that was complicated by rectal injury and subsequent RVF development. Conservative management failed, and the patient was referred for surgical correction.

TECHNIQUE

The operative steps consisted of (1) cystoscopy, (2) RVF catheterization, (3) ureteral catheterization, (4) five-port transperitoneal laparoscopic approach, (5) cystotomy, (6) opening of the fistulous tract, (7) dissection between the bladder and the rectum, (8) closure of the rectum, (9) interposition of omentum, (10) suprapubic cystostomy placement, (11) bladder closure, and (12) colostomy creation.

RESULTS

The operative time was 240 minutes. The hospital stay was 3 days. The urethral catheter was kept indwelling for 4 days. At 8 weeks postoperatively, the suprapubic tube was removed and the colostomy reversed. At 1-month follow-up, the patient remains free of fistula recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic rectovesical fistula repair is feasible and represents an attractive alternative to the standard approaches.