title: Rectovestibular fistula--rarely recognized associated gynecologic anomalies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vestibular fistulas are the most common anorectal malformations (ARMs) in females. Associated gynecologic defects are rarely mentioned in the literature but may have serious clinical implications if undetected. The definitive repair of the ARM offers an opportunity for diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred seventy-two patients with vestibular fistula were retrospectively reviewed, with emphasis on gynecologic defects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight patients (17%) had 83 gynecologic anomalies. Fourteen patients had a vaginal septum, all with 2 uterine cervices. All septa were resected at the main repair. Twenty-six patients had no vaginal opening. Twenty of them had absent vagina. Eighteen of those had an absent uterus. Patients with absent vagina underwent vaginal replacement with distal rectum (12), sigmoid (6), and ileum (2). Six patients had a patent upper vagina; 3 reached the perineum after mobilization and 3 required replacement; 2 with sigmoid and 1 with rectum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginal septa are easily diagnosed and can be resected during the repair of the vestibular fistula. The presence of 2 cervices has important obstetric implications. Absent vagina requires a technically demanding repair, with special preoperative planning. Vaginoscopy or careful inspection should precede surgical reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Colorectal Center for Children, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Breech
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peña
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014564:Urogenital Abnormalities / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery