Embolization--an optional treatment for intractable hemorrhage from a malignant rectovaginal fistula: report of a case.
OBJECTIVE
Patients rarely have intractable hemorrhage from rectovaginal fistulas, which usually require surgical intervention. This report presents our experience with nonsurgical treatment of a high-risk patient with uncontrolled hemorrhage originating from a malignant rectovaginal fistula.


METHODS
A 74-year-old female developed uncontrolled hemorrhage from a malignant rectovaginal fistula. Because of her poor physical condition, an embolization with metal clips of the right and left hypogastric arteries was performed, distal to the superior gluteal artery.


RESULTS
Embolization was successful in controlling the rectovaginal bleeding, allowing the patient to live 12 months. She refused adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective angiography and embolization is a worthwhile alternative in patients with uncontrolled bleeding from a malignant rectovaginal fistula who are poor candidates for surgical intervention.
Dushnitsky
T
T
Department of Surgery B, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Ziv
Y
Y
Peer
A
A
Halevy
A
A
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000150:complications*