ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Concord Repatriation General Hospital - NSW , Australia
Purpose
A rectourethral fistula is an abnormal passage between the urethra and distal rectum. Spontaneous healing is rare, and most will require definitive surgical repair. The transperineal approach with gracilis flap is widely used, but post-operative urinary incontinence remains high. We propose an intersphincteric approach with greater omental flap that may offer better patient outcomes.
Method
Transabdominal approach: Lower midline vertical laparotomy incision is made, and the omentum is mobilised from the transverse colon. Rectal mobilisation is achieved via bilateral lateral and posterior dissection. Then, the anterior rectum is dissected after incising the peritoneal reflection until the fistula tract proper is encountered. Further dissection is accomplished along either side of the fistula tract anterior to the rectum as far inferiorly as access allows.
Intersphincteric approach: A 3cm anterior, curvilinear incision is made along the intersphincteric plane. The intersphincteric groove is palpable when the perineal skin is taut. This plane is carefully dissected to join the plane created during the transabdominal approach on either side of the fistula. The tract is divided, and the anterior rectal wall defect is primarily closed with 3-0 PDS.
Omental interposition flap fixture: The omental flap is placed between the rectum and the urethra and secured onto the rectal wall with interrupted 3-0 Vicryl sutures carefully to ensure secure placement without causing omental ischaemia. The perineal incision is closed with interrupted 3-0 vicryl, and skin is closed with interrupted 3-0 monocryl.
Patients will require a diverting colostomy, which can be reversed in 6 months. Ureteric catheters remain in for 10 days, and IDC remains in until cystogram is performed in 6 weeks.
Result
This novel technique has been utilised in two patients at our institution with good outcomes in the form of complete maintenance of faecal and urinary continence at 10- and 8-years post-op.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Chan Ho Kim - , Dr Stella Nikolaou - , Dr Chen Liu - , Dr Jonathan Chan - , Prof Lewis Chan - , Prof Peter Stewart -
