Repair of a recurrent rectovaginal fistula using gluteal-fold flap: Report of a case

Abstract

Various surgical procedures have been reported for the repair of a rectovaginal fistula, but a failure of the initial repair leads to difficulty in the second and later operations. This report presents the case of a 58-year-old woman with a recurrent rectovaginal fistula after a low anterior resection for rectal cancer who achieved a good outcome following a repair using a gluteal-fold flap. We therefore conclude that the transfer of a well-vascularized gluteal-fold flap may be a safe and reliable method to repair a rectovaginal fistula with a large diameter following repeated recurrence.