Laparoscopic rectovesical fistula repair.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic rectovesical fistula repair is feasible and represents an attractive alternative to the standard approaches.
Sotelo
Rene
R
Section of Laparoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Urology, "La Floresta" Medical Institute, Caracas, Venezuela. renesotelo@cantv.net
Garcia
Alejandro
A
Yaime
Henry
H
Rodríguez
Eduardo
E
Dubois
Rinci
R
Andrade
Robert De
RD
Carmona
Oswaldo
O
Finelli
Antonio
A
D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001747:Urinary Bladder Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014563:Urodynamics