Transperineal repair of obstetric-related anovaginal fistula.
BACKGROUND
To describe an operative technique for the repair of anovaginal fistulae secondary to obstetric injury and to assess its functional outcome and patient satisfaction.


METHODS
An operative repair involving division of the anovaginal fistula, closure of rectal and vaginal walls, anterior levatoplasty and overlapping sphincteroplasty is described. Postoperative complications and recurrence were recorded. A telephone interview was carried out to assess the functional outcome and the satisfaction score.


RESULTS
Seven consecutive patients had a repair of an obstetric-related anovaginal fistula. Their mean age was 34 years (range: 22-72). They had a mean duration of symptoms of 14 months (range: 1.5-54). Four patients did not have any previous repair and no stoma was necessary in any of the seven patients. There was no significant postoperative complication and only one recurrence. Telephone interviews were conducted for six patients and one was lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (11-35). The Wexner's continence score improved from a mean preoperative score of 13.4 to a mean postoperative score of 5.6. With satisfaction scores ranging from +3 to -3 (+3 indicating complete satisfaction and -3 indicating complete dissatisfaction), five patients scored 1 and one scored 0.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique is straightforward and effective in healing obstetric-related anovaginal fistula. It achieves improved continence and reasonable satisfaction.
Chew
Simon S B
SS
Colorectal Unit, University Department of Surgery, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Rieger
Nick A
NA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires