A Large Post Radiation Rectovaginal Fistula Managed by A Diverting Colostomy: A Case Report

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A Large Post Radiation Rectovaginal Fistula Managed by A Diverting Colostomy: A Case Report

1MAJD Abdessamad,2RAYADI Mahassine,3MASTAR Hajar,4BOUALI Ichrak,5ETTAOUSSI Abdelhak,6KAMAL Khadija,7BOUALI Mounir,8EL BAKOURI Abdelillah,9EL HATTABI Khalid
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9Department of general surgery, IBN ROCHD University hospital of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.

ABSTRACT

Background: Radiation-induced rectovaginal fistula (RI-RVF) is an uncommon but devastating complication after treatment for cervical cancer.
Case: A 50-year-old woman previously treated for cervical cancer with chemoradiotherapy presented with fecal passage through the vagina. Examination showed a 3 cm rectovaginal fistula located 2 cm from the anal verge. Pelvic MRI demonstrated a large rectovaginal fistula measuring approximately 30 mm without recurrent malignancy. Laboratory tests were normal. The multidisciplinary tumor board recommended diverting loop colostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful.
Conclusion: Diversion remains an effective first step before definitive reconstruction in extensive radiation-induced fistulas.

 

KEYWORDS 

Rectovaginal fistula; Radiotherapy ; Cervical cancer ; Colostomy.

 

REFERENCES

1) W. B. Gaertner et al., « The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anorectal Abscess, Fistula-in-Ano, and Rectovaginal Fistula », Dis. Colon Rectum, vol. 65, no 8, p. 964‑985, août 2022, doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000002473.
2) E. Barzola, C. Grimes, E. Ritter, et R. Bergamaschi, « Radiation-induced rectovaginal fistula surgical treatment: a case report », Ann. Laparosc. Endosc. Surg., vol. 9, p. 27‑27, juill. 2024, doi: 10.21037/ales-23-49.
3) K. Maeda, N. Wada, et A. Shida, « Treatment of Rectovaginal Fistula », J. Anus Rectum Colon, vol. 7, no 2, p. 52‑62, avr. 2023, doi: 10.23922/jarc.2023-007.

 

Cite this article

Abdessamad, M., Mahassine, R., Hajar, M., Ichrak, B., Abdelhak, E., Khadija, K., Mounir, B., Abdelillah, E. B., & Khalid, E. H. (2026). A Large Post Radiation Rectovaginal Fistula Managed by A Diverting Colostomy: A Case Report. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH, 5(8), 745-747. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijhmr.2026.v5i8n04

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