title: Rectovaginal fistula following double-stapling anastomosis in low anterior resection for rectal cancer.
abstract: The rectovaginal fistula is a rare complication after low anterior resection for rectal cancer, but its management is difficult and the result is often unsatisfactory. Herewith, we report one patient with rectovaginal fistula as a postoperative complication. Rectovaginal fistula appeared on the 23rd day after low anterior resection. Flatus and feces through the vagina were present, but the fistula was too small to be elucidated by gastrografin enema. After 22 days of fasting therapy under total parenteral nutrition, this fistula was closed. The rectovaginal fistula is very rare but is a possible complication after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Therefore, this complication must be kept in mind, and a minimal-sized fistula can be treated conservatively without a diverting colostomy or other surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sawara Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. tnori@surg2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Norifumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsutsumi
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maehara
authors.forename: Shunji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kohnoe
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000473:pathology; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery