Concomitant vesicovaginal fistula and rectovaginal fistula in a patient with a neglected pessary placed for pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic organ prolapse is a very frequent affection especially in elderly women. Vaginal pessary is a common conservative treatment and recommended as first line therapy. Guidelines recommend to do a regular follow up every 6 to 12 months with a healthcare professional. We report the case of a patient with neglected vaginal pessary who had a vesicovaginal and a concomitant rectovaginal fistula. CASE REPORT: A 84-year-old woman was admitted for chronic pelvic pain and vaginal discharge. An entrapped cube pessary was removed and the diagnostic of a 3cm rectovaginal fistula with a vesicovaginal fistula was made. The patient had a two-stage surgery, vaginal way then open abdominal way, for closing the fistulas. CONCLUSION: Although vaginal pessary is a good conservative treatment for POP, it shall not be neglected or serious complications can be caused.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of rectovaginal fistulas in patients with Crohn's disease: results of the HOT-REVA pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Positive effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD) have been described, but the effect on rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) has not yet been studied. The aim was to investigate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of HBO in patients with RVF in CD. METHODS: In this prospective study, consecutive CD patients between November 2018 and February 2020 presenting with RVF at the outpatient fistula clinic of the Amsterdam University Medical Centre were included and selected to receive treatment with 30 daily HBO sessions, if fistulas were actively draining and any concomitant treatment regimen was stable at least 6 weeks prior to start of HBO. Patients with a stoma were excluded. The primary endpoint was clinical closure at 3-month follow-up, defined as cessation of complaints and/or closure of the external orifice if visible at baseline. Secondary outcomes were improvement of concomitant perianal fistulas as measured by the perianal disease activity index (PDAI) and fistula drainage assessment (FDA), as well as improvement in patient-reported outcomes (visual analogue scale (VAS), inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBDQ), faecal incontinence quality of life scale (FIQL) and female sexual functioning index (FSFI)) at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Out of 14 eligible patients, nine patients (median age 50 years) were treated, all of whom had previously had one or more unsuccessful medical and/or surgical treatments for their RVF. Clinical closure occurred in none of the patients at 3-month follow-up. There was no improvement in PDAI and patient-reported outcomes (VAS, IBDQ, FIQL and FSFI). Two patients had concomitant perianal fistulas; using FDA, one patient had a clinical response and one patient was in clinical remission 3 months after HBO. There were two treatment-related adverse events during HBO concerning claustrophobia and fatigue. Furthermore, two patients had a surgical intervention due to RVF and two patients were treated with antibiotics for a urinary tract infection during follow-up. One patient had a dose reduction of ustekinumab because of decreased luminal complaints. CONCLUSION: Treatment with HBO was feasible, but in this therapy-refractory cohort without deviating ostomy no clinical closure of RVF or improvement in quality of life was seen 3 months after HBO. Treatment with HBO alone in this specific group of patients therefore appears to be ineffective.

Matrix-Delivered Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Refractory Rectovaginal Crohn's Fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's rectovaginal fistulizing disease remains notoriously difficult to treat. A phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a novel protocol using a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-coated Gore Bio-A fistula plug for the treatment of medically and surgically refractory Crohn's rectovaginal fistulas was conducted. METHODS: Five patients underwent an autologous subcutaneous adipose tissue harvest via a 2-cm abdominal wall incision at time of exam under anesthesia (EUA) with seton placement. MSCs were isolated, expanded, and impregnated on the plug. After 6 weeks, patients returned to the operating room for placement of the MSC-coated plug. The primary end points were safety and feasibility; the secondary end point was clinical and radiographic healing at 6 months. RESULTS: Five female patients (median age [range], 49 [38-53] years) with a median disease duration (range) of 23 (7-34) years who were on biologic (n = 5) or combination therapy (n = 3) had successful harvest and expansion of MSCs and delivery of the Gore Bio-A plug. There were no serious adverse events or adverse events related to the MSCs or plug during the 6-month follow-up. At 6 months, 3 patients had complete cessation of drainage, and 2 had >50% reduction in drainage; all had a persistent fistula tract identified on magnetic resonance imaging and EUA at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical placement of an autologous adipose-derived MSC-coated fistula plug in diverted patients with Crohn's rectovaginal fistulas was safe and feasible. All patients had a reduction in the size of their fistula tract, and 3 of 5 had cessation of drainage, but none achieved complete healing.This was a phase I clinical trial of autologous mesenchymal stem cells on a plug for rectovaginal Crohn's fistulas.

Recommendations of the Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Spanish Working Group (GETECCU) for the treatment of perianal fistulas of Crohn's disease. / Recomendaciones del Grupo Español de Trabajo de Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa (GETECCU) para el tratamiento de las fístulas perianales de la enfermedad de Crohn.

Recommendations are advice that is given and considered to be beneficial; however, they are still suggestions and are therefore open to different interpretations. In this sense, the final objective of the review has been to try to homogenize, with the evidence available, the approach to the diagnosis and medical/surgical treatment of one of the most complex manifestations of Crohn's disease, such as simple and complex perianal fistulas.

Delivery mode for prolonged, obstructed labour resulting in obstetric fistula: a retrospective review of 4396 women in East and Central Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mode of delivery and stillbirth rates over time among women with obstetric fistula. DESIGN: Retrospective record review. SETTING: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia and Ethiopia. POPULATION: A total of 4396 women presenting with obstetric fistulas for repair who delivered previously in facilities between 1990 and 2014. METHODS: Retrospective review of trends and associations between mode of delivery and stillbirth, focusing on caesarean section (CS), assisted vaginal deliveries and spontaneous vaginal deliveries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mode of delivery, stillbirth. RESULTS: Out of 4396 women with fistula, 3695 (84.1%) delivered a stillborn baby. Among mothers with fistula giving birth to a stillborn baby, the CS rate (overall 54.8%, 2027/3695) rose from 45% (162/361) in 1990-94 to 64% (331/514) in 2010-14. This increase occurred at the expense of assisted vaginal delivery (overall 18.3%, 676/3695), which declined from 32% (115/361) to 6% (31/514). CONCLUSIONS: In Eastern and Central Africa, CS is increasingly performed on women with obstructed labour whose babies have already died in utero. Contrary to international recommendations, alternatives such as vacuum extraction, forceps and destructive delivery are decreasingly used. Unless uterine rupture is suspected, CS should be avoided in obstructed labour with intrauterine fetal death to avoid complications related to CS scars in subsequent pregnancies. Increasingly, women with obstetric fistula add a history of unnecessary CS to their already grim experiences of prolonged, obstructed labour and stillbirth. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Caesarean section is increasingly performed in African women with stillbirth treated for obstetric fistula.

Everolimus-associated cytomegalovirus colitis in a patient with metastasized breast cancer: a case report.

PURPOSE: Anti-cancer therapy put patients in an immunocompromised status. Reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in immunocompromised patient can cause a severe disease. Thus, we presented a case who had recurrent CMV colitis which complicate with rectovaginal fistula. METHODS: We present a case of everolimus-associated cytomegalovirus colitis on a patient receiving everolimus and exemestane therapy for the treatment of metastasized breast cancer. RESULTS: The patient presented septic shock and acute peritonitis at first. Emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed. However, only edematous changes were observed over the terminal ileum, sigmoid colon and rectum. Four weeks after operation, we found feces coming out from her vagina. Colonoscopy was done and revealed rectovaginal fistula. Colonic and rectal mucosa moderate inflammation with multiple ulcer was also noted. Biopsy was done and the pathology proved CMV colitis. After treatment with ganciclovir, her symptoms improved. Everolimus was stopped for 12 weeks and was added back with a decreasing dose paradigm for breast cancer treatment. However, another episode of CMV colitis occurred again after resuming the everolimus. After anti-virus treatment, she was discharged. Due to adverse effects, everolimus therapy was discontinued. CONCLUSION: The standard treatment of hormone receptor positive and HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer is everolimus together with exemestane. Due to the immunosuppressive effects of everolimus, the medication may cause invasive fungal infection or other opportunistic infections. Such infections are serious and may even be fatal. In this case, we did not consider CMV infection until rectovaginal fistula formation. Thus, for solid cancer patients presented with fever of unknown origin, clinicians should consider potential complications of CMV infection.

A non-degraded biodegradable stent in the closure of a defunctionalized rectovaginal fistula.

The case was a 52-year-old female with a rectovaginal fistula secondary to a rectosigmoid resection with low colorectal anastomosis due to adenocarcinoma. The fistula persisted after surgical reintervention with defunctionalization, a hysterectomy and colostomy in the left iliac fossa.

Case Report: Treatment for Rectovaginal Fistula in Crohn's Disease Using Fractionate CO2 Vaginal Laser with Anti-TNF Therapy.

Background: Rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) are defined as any connection between the anorectum and the vagina. They can have several causes, being Crohn's disease, the second leading cause of RVFs, responsible for ∼10% of the RVFs. Despite the advances in surgical and clinical treatment, there is no consensus regarding the best line of treatment. Objective: To report another therapeutic option, we describe the case of a patient with Crohn's disease and RVF refractory to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, submitted to intravaginal CO2 fractional laser treatment. Materials and methods: Three laser sessions with monthly interval and analysis by clinical examination, sexual evaluation questionnaire, and magnetic resonance of the pelvis were performed. Results: We obtained an important improvement of the symptoms and of the dimension of the fistulous path. Conclusions: We believe this method to be a complementary, promising, and safe therapeutic alternative for the management of vaginal fistula. Future studies using this therapeutic strategy are needed to confirm the efficacy of this method in this clinical setting.

Identifying Outcomes in Clinical Trials of Fistulizing Crohn's Disease for the Development of a Core Outcome Set.

Fistulizing complications develop in approximately one third of patients with Crohn's disease (CD), resulting in morbidity and impaired quality of life.1 Sites of fistulae most commonly include perianal fistulae, but also enterocutaneous, enteroenteric, enterovesical, and rectovaginal. Its management requires combined medical and surgical strategies to prevent abscess formation and induce healing. Biologic agents have improved the medical treatment of CD-related fistulae, but many patients still require surgical intervention. Hence, there is considerable interest in the development of novel pharmaceutical agents to treat fistulizing CD.

[Surgical treatment of chronic radiation enteropathy].

Chronic radiation enteropathy(CRE) represents a latent intestinal injury resulting from abdominal-pelvic radiotherapy. Severe complications like refractory bleeding, intestinal obstruction, perforation and fistula may occur during CRE progression. Surgical treatment is the most effective way to handle these complications. Since radiotherapy has become an important and common way to relieve or even cure many malignant tumors, the incidence of severe complications of CRE is likely to rise. Thus the value of surgical treatment in managing severe complications of CRE should gain more attention. Through the literature review combined with our clinical experience, this paper analyzes the preoperative management and surgical treatment of five long-term complications of CRE, including obstruction, enteric fistula, rectovaginal fistula, perforation and bleeding. Also we propose that when managing patients with severe complications of CRE, clinicians should carefully master the surgical indications, consummate perioperative management, design personal surgical plan according to patient's condition and make improving the quality of life of patients the ultimate purpose of surgical treatment for CRE while assuring its safety.

Reasons for delay in decision making and reaching health facility among obstetric fistula and pelvic organ prolapse patients in Gondar University hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric fistula and pelvic organ prolapse remain highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where women have poor access to modern health care. Women having these problems tend to stay at home for years before getting treatment. However, information regarding the reasons contributing to late presentation to treatment is scarce, especially at the study area. The objective of this study was to assess the reasons whywomen with obstetric fistula and pelvic organ prolapse at Gondar University Hospital delay treatment. METHOD: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 women. Delay was evaluated by calculating symptom onset and time of arrival to get treatment at Gondar University Hospital. Regression analysis was conducted to elicit predictors of delay for treatment. RESULT: Of the total 384 participants, 311 (80.9%) had pelvic organ prolapse and 73(19.1%) obstetric fistula. The proportion of women who delayed treatment of pelvic organ prolapse was 82.9% and that of obstetric fistula 60.9%. Fear of disclosing illness due to social stigma (AOR = 2; 1.03, 3.9) and lack of money (AOR = 1.97; 1.01, 3.86) were associated with the delay of treatment for pelvic organ prolapse,while increasing age (AOR =1.12; 1.01, 1.24) and divorce (AOR = 16.9; 1.75, 165.5) were were responsible for delaying treatment forobstetric fistula. CONCLUSION: A large numberof women with pelvic organ prolapse and obstetric fistula delayed treatment. Fear of disclosure due to social stigma and lack of moneywere the major factors that contributed to thedelay to seek treatment for pelvic organ prolapse,while increasing age and divorce were the predictors for delaying treatment for obstetric fistula.

Cell therapy in surgical treatment of fistulas. Preliminary results.

Risk of recurrence after surgical treatment of a recurrent fistula is up to 50%. It has be known that more aggressive surgical treatment is associated with a high risk of anal sphincter damage and leads to incontinence. Several studies have been designed to elaborate minimally invasive treatment of rectovaginal and anal fistulas. The properties of Adipose-derived Stem Cells (ASC) significantly enhance a natural healing potency. Here, we present our experience with combined surgical and cell therapy in the treatment of fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients were enrolled in our study after unsuccessful treatments in the past - patients 1-3 with rectovaginal fistulas including two women after graciloplasty, and patient 4 - a male with complex perianal fistula. Adipose tissue was obtained from subcutaneous tissue. ASCs were isolated, cultured up to 10+/-2 mln cells and injected into the walls of fistulas. Follow-up physical examination and anoscopy were performed at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, 6 and 12 months after implantation. RESULTS: Up to 8 weeks after ASC implantation, symptoms of fistulas' tracts disappeared. At 8 weeks, in patients 1-3, communication between vaginal and rectal openings was closed and at 12-16 w. intestinal continuity was restored in patient 3 and 4. After a 6-month follow-up, the fistula tract of patient 4 was closed. Up to 12 m. after ASC implantation no recurrences or adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: ASCs combined with surgical pre-treated fistula tracts were used in four patients. All of them were healed. This encouraging result needs further trials to evaluate the clinical efficiency and the cost-effectiveness ratio.

[Treatment of complications after laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the perioperative and postoperative complications follow laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (LapISR) in the treatment of low rectal cancer and their management. METHODS: An observational study was conducted in 73 consecutive patients who underwent LapISR for low rectal cancer between June 2011 and February 2016 in our hospital. The clinicopathological parameters, perioperative and postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Perioperative and postoperative complications were defined as any complication occurring within or more than 3 months after the primary operation, respectively. RESULTS: Forty-nine(67.1%) cases were male and 24(32.9%) were female with a median age of 61(25 to 79) years. The median distance from distal tumor margin to anal verge was 4.0(1.0 to 5.5) cm. The median operative time was 195 (120 to 360) min, median intra operative blood loss was 100 (20 to 300) ml, median number of harvested lymph nodes was 14(3 to 31) per case. All the patients underwent preventive terminal ileum loop stoma. No conversion or hospital mortality was presented. The R0 resection rate was 98.6% with totally negative distal resection margin. A total of 34 complication episodes were recorded in 21(28.8%) patients during perioperative period, and among which 20.6%(7/34) was grade III(-IIII( according to Dindo system. Anastomosis-associated morbidity (16.4%,12/73) was the most common after LapISR, including mucosa ischemia in 9 cases(12.3%), stricture in 7 cases (9.6%, 4 cases secondary to mucosa necrosis receiving anal dilation), grade A fistula in 3 cases (4.1%) receiving conservative treatment and necrosis in 1 case (1.4%) receiving permanent stoma. After a median follow up of 21(3 to 60) months, postoperative complications were recorded in 12 patients (16.4%) with 16 episodes, including anastomotic stenosis (8.2%), rectum segmental stricture (5.5%), ileus (2.7%), partial anastomotic dehiscence (1.4%), anastomotic fistula (1.4%), rectovaginal fistula (1.4%) and mucosal prolapse (1.4%). These patients received corresponding treatments, such as endoscopic transanal resection, anal dilation, enema, purgative, permanent stoma, etc. according to the lesions. Six patients (8.2%) required re-operation intervention due to postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Anastomosis-associated morbidity is the most common after LapISR in the treatment of low rectal cancer in perioperative and postoperative periods, which must be strictly managed with suitable methods.

Fístulas recto-vaginales: un reto terapéutico permanente / Rectovaginal fistulas: a permanent therapeutic challenge

Las fístulas recto-vaginales consisten en una comunicación anormal entre recto y vagina; si la comunicación es más baja se denominan ano-vaginales. La etiología más frecuente es el trauma obstétrico, infecciones locales y cirugía ano-rectal. Se realiza una revisión de la literatura hasta Junio de 2016, analizando el concepto y clasificación de las fístulas recto-vaginales en función de localización, tamaño y etiología. Se estudian los procedimientos diagnósticos y opciones terapéuticas, prestando especial atención a las múltiples técnicas quirúrgicas, vías de abordaje y recomendaciones en función de la etiología de la fístula. Un enfoque individualizado de cada caso proporcionará elevados porcentajes de curación (AU)

Rectovaginal fistulae are defined by the presence of an abnormal epithelialized communication between the rectum and the vagina; when they are lower enough and affect the anorectal region are best referred as anovaginal fistulae. The most common causes are obstetric trauma, local infection and ano-rectal surgery. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken until june 2016 analyzing the concept itself and several classifications considering location, size and etiology. Different diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options, specially focused on the great amount of surgical techniques, ways to approach and advices depending on any kind of fistula. A strict, catious, individualized study of each single case will reach high healing rates (AU)

Treatment of rectovaginal fistula by magnetic compression.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is an abnormal epithelium-lined connection between the rectum and vagina. The primary effective treatment is surgical repair, but recurrence remains a challenge. Magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA), an alternative to suturing, has been developed to generate an anastomosis between various hollow viscera. We hypothesized that the MCA approach could be used to treat RVF. METHOD: We designed a novel MCA device for RVF treatment and evaluated the magnetic compression procedure in a RVF pig model in comparison with the traditional suturing procedure. Following satisfactory outcomes, we also applied the MCA procedure to a human patient with recurrent RVF. The MCA device was designed based on the anatomical characteristics of the pig vagina and previous literature. The pig RVF model were established surgically (n = 12), and compression and control groups were each treated. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: qqExcept in one animal in each group, the RVF site was smooth and healing was complete. Histological analysis confirmed complete healing of the RVF with high histological continuity to neighboring tissues. The compression procedure applied to our patient with RVF was successful. The patient recovered quickly without complications, and RVF did not recur during a 15-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: From this preliminary investigation, MCA using our novel device appears to be a safe, simple, and effective nonsurgical procedure for the treatment of RVF.

Enterovaginal or Vesicovaginal Fistula Control Using a Silicone Cup.

BACKGROUND: An enterovaginal or vesicovaginal fistula is a complication resulting in vaginal discharge of succus, urine, or stool that can lead to significant complications. For low-volume fistulae, tampons or pads may be used. With high-volume fistulae, frequent product change can be painful and unpredictable in terms of efficacy. The psychologic distress is profound. Surgery may not be an option, making symptom control the priority. INSTRUMENT: We report the use of a reusable menstrual silicone vaginal cup placed to divert and contain drainage. EXPERIENCE: The menstrual cup provided significant symptom relief. Drainage is immediately diverted from tissue, unlike with tampon or pad use, which involves longer contact periods with caustic fluids. A system was created by adapting the end of the cup by adding silastic tubing and an external leg bag to provide long-term drainage control. CONCLUSION: Improvement in quality of life is of primary importance when dealing with fistula drainage. This simple and inexpensive device should be considered in those cases in which the drainage can be diverted as a viable option, especially in those who are symptomatic and awaiting surgical repair or in those for whom surgery cannot be performed.

Sources of support for women experiencing obstetric fistula in northern Ghana: A focused ethnography.

OBJECTIVE: we explored how women in northern Ghana who have or have had obstetric fistula and those close to them perceive support. DESIGN: focused ethnography, that includes in-depth interviews, participant observation, and scrutiny of relevant records. SETTING: a fistula treatment centre in a regional urban centre and three remote villages located in northern Ghana. PARTICIPANTS: the sources of data included in-depth interview (n=14), non-participant observation and interaction, as well as scrutiny of relevant health records and documents. Participants for in-depth interviews and observation included women affected by obstetric fistula, their partners, parents, relatives, nurses and doctors. FINDINGS: presentation of obstetric fistula information, particularly by Non-Governmental Organisations was not in a format that was readily understandable for many women and their families. Food and other basic requirements for daily living were not necessarily available in the fistula treatment centre. Travelling for care was costly and frequently not easily accessed from their communities. Fistula repair surgery was available at unpredictable times and only for a few days every one to two months. CONCLUSIONS: women perceived support from spouses/partner, family members, and other relatives but much of this is limited to tangible support. Perceptions of support were particularly focused on access to information and finances. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the implementation of strategies to increase support for women living with obstetric fistula include improving access to fistula repair treatment, directing resources to create a dedicated specialist fistula centre located where most cases of OF occur and providing education to front-line workers. Strategies to prevent fistula as well as identify and support safe motherhood practices are needed for women affected by obstetric fistula.