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INTRODUCTION: Despite the advances in surgical and clinical approaches, there is no consensus regarding the best line of treatment from rectovaginal fistula (RVF). Faced with a challenging scenario in the approach of RVF, the fractional CO2 laser receives attention as a possible form of treatment. OBJECTIVES: A single-center, prospective, open-label study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of laser therapy for RVF treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The total of 15 patients was recruited at the Juiz de Fora University Hospital between August 2018 and July 2022. Inclusion criteria were presence of clinically suspects RVF of any etiology confirmed by pelvic magnetic resonance image (MRI) and gynecological examination. Five fractional CO2 laser sessions with monthly interval followed by complete evaluation through clinical examination and pelvic MRI were performed for all patients after the completion of treatment. Analysis of sexual function before and after the treatment was performed using Female Sexual Quotient (FSQ). RESULTS: The evaluation through physical examination showed no persistent inflammatory signs in the vagina for all patients. Additionally, 10 of out 15 (67.7%) patients achieved clinical remission of RVF symptoms, while 33.3% patients reported significant improvement. Of note, five patients who did not have previous sexual activity returned to regular sexual activity while seven patients who have baseline sexual activity had improvement in their sexual function as assessed by the FSQ. Three out of four ostomized patients had their ostomy reversed and remained without complains. All six patients with RVF secondary to Crohn's disease reported a marked improvement in symptoms and sexual function. In seven (47%) patients radiological remission was confirmed by pelvic MRI. CONCLUSION: CO2 fractional laser can be considered a promising and safe therapeutic alternative for the management of RVF.

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Resumen Introducción: La fístula rectovaginal es una patología quirúrgica compleja de tratar. El trauma perineal obstétrico y las enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales, especialmente la Enfermedad de Crohn son las causas más frecuentes. La reparación quirúrgica con un Colgajo de Martius en manos experimentadas ha mostrado buenos resultados con mínima morbilidad en pacientes seleccionados. Material y Método: Presentamos un caso clínico de una paciente que cursó con una fístula rectovaginal posparto tardía, la cual tuvo una recurrencia precoz, luego de intentar tratamiento quirúrgico consistente en un colgajo de avance, siendo necesaria la desfuncionalización del tránsito con una colostomía en asa. Posteriormente se realizó un Colgajo de Martius con resultado exitoso. Resultados: Evolución satisfactoria. Cursó con dehiscencia de la herida perineal la cual requirió solo curaciones ambulatorias. Luego de 8 meses posterior a la confección del Colgajo de Martius, se realizó el cierre de colostomía. A los 30 meses poscolgajo, la paciente se encuentra en buenas condiciones, sin evidencia de recidiva y tránsito intestinal normal. Conclusión: En este caso clínico, el colgajo de Martius fue una alternativa segura y efectiva en el tratamiento de una fístula rectovaginal recidivada.

Introduction: The rectovaginal fistula is a complex surgical pathology to treat. Obstetric perineal trauma and inflammatory bowel diseases, especially Crohn's disease, are the most frequent causes. Surgical repair with a Martius flap in experienced hands has shown good results with minimal morbidity in selected patients. Material and Methods: We present a clinical case of a patient who had a late postpartum rectovaginal fistula, which recurred early after attempting surgical treatment consisting of an advancement flap, requiring defunctionalization of the transit with a loop colostomy. Subsequently, a Martius flap was performed with a successful result. Results: Satisfactory evolution. The patient presented a dehiscence of the perineal wound which required only ambulatory dressings. At 8 months from the Martius flap was made, the colostomy was closed. At 30 months post-flap, the patient is in good condition, with no evidence of recurrence and normal intestinal transit. Conclusión: In this clinical case, the Martius flap was a safe and effective alternative in the treatment of a recurrent rectovaginal fistula.

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OBJECTIVE: In this study, we present a series of 2 cases of rectovaginal fistula (RVF) due to the use of a ring-type pessary in the conservative treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and a literature review on the management of RVF related to the use of pessaries. METHODS: Two patients were selected from the medical records of the urogynecology service, and their demographic and clinical data were retrieved. An updated literature review was included presenting cases of RVF induced by or after use of a pessary. RESULTS: Both patients evolved with removal of the pessary and correction of the fistula. The surgical procedures of choice were Le Fort Colpocleisis and posterior colporraphy without major complications. In the literature review, we selected 17 studies with a total of 23 cases reporting RVFs induced or followed by the use of pessaries. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pessary is commonly indicated for the conservative treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, this device is not exempt from generating complications.

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Background: Rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) are abnormal tracts that connect the lower gastrointestinal tract with the vagina. They can result from obstetric trauma, infection, local surgeries, cancer, radiation damage, and Crohn's disease. Despite the advances in surgical and clinical treatment, there is no consensus regarding the best line of treatment. Objective: To report five cases of patients with RVF submitted to intravaginal CO2 fractional laser treatment, as a complementary and additional therapeutic option in this scenery. Materials and methods: Five laser sessions with monthly intervals followed by complete evaluation through clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis were performed for all patients. Results: Three patients had complete resolution of symptoms after the end of planned vaginal laser sessions, whereas two patients reported significant improvement in symptoms. Four patients who had stopped having sex due to their condition admitted to resuming regular sexual activity. In addition, all five patients had closure of the fistulous track confirmed by pelvic MRI. No adverse events from vaginal laser therapy were reported by any of the patients. Conclusions: We believe this method to be a complementary, promising, and safe therapeutic alternative for the management of RVF. It may potentially enable return to regular sexual activity. Future studies using this therapeutic strategy are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this method in this clinical setting. Clinical trial registration no.: CAAE 93673618.4.0000.5133.

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OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to review malpractice litigations involving vesicovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas after elective hysterectomy for benign indications in the United States and identify the most common themes in allegations by the plaintiffs and defenses by the defendants. METHODS: Using the Lexis Nexis legal database, we searched for and reviewed all U.S. malpractice litigations pertinent to this question between 1970 and 2020. RESULTS: Out of 82 cases that were identified and reviewed, 17 cases met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. These cases were decided between 1973 and 2019. Nine cases involved total abdominal hysterectomies, 1 involved total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), 1 involved total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH), and the rest were not specified. Fifteen cases involved vesicovaginal fistulas and 2 involved rectovaginal fistulas. Three cases were ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, with monetary compensation ranging from $250,000 to $753,722 (approximately $364,120 to $1.8 million when adjusted for inflation), whereas 14 cases were ruled in favor of the defending surgeons. Common allegations were negligence in 15 cases and lack of informed consent in 2 cases. Factors that strengthened the defendants' arguments were thorough documentation, informed consent, and prompt referral to specialists. Intraoperative cystoscopy may have benefited in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: Thorough documentation, informed consent, and prompt referral to specialists strengthened the defendants' legal arguments. Intraoperative cystoscopy may also be beneficial.

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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.

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