Recto-vaginal fistulas: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is defined as an abnormal communication between the anterior wall of the rectum and the posterior wall of the vagina. Many surgical techniques have been described in the treatment of RVF. However, none has proved its superiority. The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional results of surgical treatment of RVF using Martius and Falandry techniques in order to assess the feasibility and the efficacy of these techniques which were first described for vesico-vaginal fistulas. METHODS: The study was a retrospective case series conducted in a single centre: Department of general surgery at Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat. We included patients with rectovaginal fistula consecutively recruited from 2011 to 2014. 10 patients developed RVF after surgery for rectal cancer (9 cases), uterine cancer (1 case). One patient had RVF for ano-rectal malformation. Colostomy was performed before the treatment of fistula in 9 cases (82 %). They underwent surgical treatment using Falandry (8 patients) and Martius techniques (3 patients) performed by an experienced urologist surgeon. RESULTS: No postoperative complications were recorded. Time to discharge was postoperative day 3-4. There was a complete disappearance of RVF in 8 patients (72.7 % of cases), relapse in 2 cases (18 %), and failure in one case (9%). The average follow-up was 12.6 +/-10 months. Functionally, no long-term cases of fecal incontinence or dyspareunia were noted. CONCLUSION: The choice of surgical technique in the treatment of RVF remains difficult because of poor literature data and absence of consensus. RVF repair results either by Martius or Falandry techniques are encouraging with low morbidity.

Vulvar leiomyoma: a case report.

Leiomyomas represent about 3.8% of all benign soft tissue tumors. Vulvar localization is very rare. We present a case of a vulvar leiomyoma and discuss diagnostic and therapeutic features of this disease. A 30-year-old female patient with no medical history, had a 5cm mass located in the left large lip causing a discomfort at the perineum especially in sitting and walking. She underwent a complete surgical excision of the mass. The pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a leiomyoma. There was no recurrence after 24-months' follow-up. The vulvar leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor. The diagnosis is made only postoperatively after resection of the mass. The treatment is essentially based on total excision of the mass with a good prognosis.