title: A fistula flap technique for correction of type II atresia ani and rectovaginal fistula in 6 kittens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a surgical technique and long-term outcomes of type II atresia ani (AA) and rectovaginal fistula (RvF) correction, using a fistula flap technique in kittens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Domestic shorthaired female kittens (n = 6) with type II AA-RvF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnosis of type II AA-RvF was made by clinical examination and vaginography. The anomaly was surgically corrected by a fistula flap technique for reconstruction of the anal canal and anus, and by vaginoplasty. Kittens were monitored for short and long-term complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 6 kittens were fecal and urinary continent in the immediate postoperative period. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 kittens: partial dehiscence between the anal and vaginal opening and a stenosis at the level of the rectal mucocutaneous anastomosis. Dehiscence healed by second intention and stenosis was treated by anoplasty. No long-term complications (median follow-up, 12 months; range, 12-17 months) were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reconstruction of the anal canal and anus using the fistula as a local flap in combination with a vaginoplasty can be effective to treat feline type II AA and RvFs.
authors.affiliation: Maisons Alfort Veterinary School - Small Animal Surgery, Maisons Alfort 94700, France. nicolas.jardel@wanadoo.Fr
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jardel
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vallefuoco
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vallefuco
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Viateau
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000662:veterinary*