title: The York Mason approach to repair of iatrogenic rectourinary fistulae.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report our experience of 8 patients who underwent repair of iatrogenic rectourinary fistulae via the transsphincteric (York Mason) approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients developed rectourinary fistulae in the course of treatment of prostate cancer. Three fistulae developed after radiation therapy alone, three after prostatectomy, and two after both surgery and radiation therapy. Five patients underwent fecal diversion in conjunction with repair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All fistulae remained closed after repair. All patients were continent of stool after primary surgery or after colostomy closure if they had been diverted. Two patients had complications associated with urethral catheters that resolved with changing the catheters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transsphincteric (York Mason) approach in the repair of rectourinary fistulae results in successful closure of the fistulae without impairment of continence to stool. This procedure is much simpler than complicated transabdominal or transperineal approaches to these fistulae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, F. Edward Herbert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fengler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abcarian
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*