Operative Results and Quality of Life After Gracilis Muscle Transposition for Recurrent Rectovaginal Fistula
- 1 July 2009
- journal article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Diseases of the Colon & Rectum
- Vol. 52 (7), 1290-1295
- https://doi.org/10.1007/dcr.0b013e3181a74700
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of gracilis muscle transposition for recurrent rectovaginal fistula. METHODS: Gracilis muscle transposition for recurrent rectovaginal fistula was performed in eight patients. Causes of fistulas included Crohn's disease (n = 5), perineal surgery (n = 2), and obstetrical injury (n = 1). All patients underwent a mean of three (range, 1–6) previous repairs. Fecal diversion was performed in all cases. RESULTS: Six of eight patients (75%) healed after gracilis muscle transposition alone. The other two patients required a second gracilis. These two patients failed with another recurrence and one of them underwent laparotomy with successful omental interposition. Thus, after a median follow-up of 28 (range, 4–55) months, the per-gracilis muscle transposition healing rate was 60% (6/10) and the overall healing success rate after gracilis muscle transposition and other procedures was 88% (7/8). For patients with Crohn's disease, four of five (80%) presented no recurrent rectovaginal fistula. Seven of eight patients underwent ileostomy closure after gracilis, but two required subsequent stomas, one for a late recurrence. Overall, five of eight patients are stoma-free. Despite healing, postoperative quality of life and sexual activity remained significantly altered. CONCLUSION: Gracilis muscle transposition can be proposed in cases of recurrent rectovaginal fistula. The procedure has a good success rate, especially in Crohn's disease patients.Keywords
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