A New Technique to Repair Vesicorectal Fistula: Overlapping Rectal Muscle Plasty by Transanal Endoscopic Surgery

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To evaluate clinical results of a novel surgical technique, we developed to repair vesicorectal fistula (VRF) occurring after prostatectomy, hospital records of the patients, who underwent the new surgical treatment, were assessed. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The novel surgical technique is called “overlapping rectal muscle plasty,” which is performed under transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). During the new procedure, a complete fistulectomy was first performed, and then the proper muscle layer of the rectum was folded, overlapped, and sutured to create a thick wall between the rectum and urinary bladder. This operation was carried out in 15 patients with VRF following radical prostatectomy. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The operation was safely performed in all patients with an average time of 127.2 min. Fistula was corrected in 13 patients (86.7%), who were then freed from both urinary and intestinal diversions. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Overlapping rectal muscle plasty by TEM is a safe procedure. The success rate seems to be acceptable in selected patients. This new repair method may be considered as a minimally invasive option in the surgical treatment of VRF after prostatectomy.