title: [Rectourethral fistulae: diagnosis and management. Review of the literature].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rectourethral fistulae are predominantly of iatrogenous origin. They alter the patient's quality of life and are difficult to manage from a medical standpoint.
  
  
  METHODS
  The major series of patients of the last 20 years have been analyzed, in order to define the best management of rectourethral fistulae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many surgical techniques have been tried, as well as several protocols, ranging from simple urinary and fecal diversion to diversion followed by reconstruction and regional flap in case of tissue damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fistula's cause and the use of radiotherapy had a major impact on its prognosis. The best-suited protocol was the 3-step protocol, which has been described within. The flap, which seemed to have the best results, was the gracilis muscle flap.
authors.affiliation: Service d'urologie et transplantation rénale, hôpital Charles-Nicolle, CHU de Rouen, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lacarriere
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Suaud
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caremel
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rouache
authors.forename: J-J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tuech
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pfister
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*