York Mason Procedure to Repair Iatrogenic Rectourinary Fistula

Abstract

A rectourethral fistula is a devastating complication of prostatectomy that is difficult to treat and may have significant implications for the patient with respect to quality of life after repair. Falavolti and colleagues have reviewed and published their results in employing the York Mason approach to repair of these fistulas [1]. As they so aptly describe, the surgical approach to rectourethral fistula varies and is often related to the etiology of the fistula. Fistulas that are the result of an iatrogenic injury at the time of prostatectomy are small and more easily managed than those caused by severe prostate and rectal necrosis secondary to radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Therefore the method of surgical repair varies.Hechenbleikner et al.[2] in a recent literature review on rectourethral fistula repair, identified four primary approaches to repairing these defects: transanal, transabdominal, trans-sphincteric, and transperineal. Now, we can clearly add the York Mason approach to that list. However, the overall results from the York Mason approach described are not as promising as those seen with more traditional repairs. The authors report only a 50 % success rate, which compares to a 90 % closure rate when using a transperineal approach [2]. The transperineal approach uses an interposition graft of either muscle, usually the gracilis muscle from the leg, or a buchal mucosal flap, which is not described with the York Mason technique. The transperineal or transanal approach also has the added benefit of not dividing the anal sphincter muscles, which may alter longterm fecal continence in patients. The authors of the present study have a large percentage of patients who have undergone more that two repairs before seeking their services,