title: Rectovaginal fistula model in the New Zealand white rabbit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to create an animal model to study rectovaginal fistula repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen New Zealand white rabbits underwent surgical creation of a rectovaginal fistula. The technique was developed with a pilot study conducted on the first two animals, then standardized and performed on the remaining 12 rabbits. The standardized technique included making a defect in the rectovaginal septum using a 3-mm skin punch then splinting the defect with 6-mm tubing for 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the standardized technique, a fistula was successfully created in all 12 rabbits ranging from 1 to 5 mm (mean = 2.8 mm, SD = 1.1). A 95% tolerance interval was calculated for the model and predicted that a successful fistula can be created ranging from 0.3 to 5.2 mm in 85% of attempts with the model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The New Zealand white rabbit is a promising animal model to study rectovaginal fistula repair.
authors.affiliation: Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. Matt.Aungst@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aungst
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bonhage
authors.forename: Todd S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Noel
authors.forename: Johnnie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D011817:Rabbits; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula