Abstract

Aim of this study is to study feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for management of rectovaginal fistula following diverting colostomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a case series of 30 patients of diverting colostomy followed by laparoscopic rectovaginal fistula repair from November 2003 to june 2014. Age of patients ranged from 42 years to 58 years (mean 48 years). These patients were followed up for a minimum period of 9 months assessing duration of surgery, feasibility, recurrence and morbidity due to urinary and sexual dysfunction. All patients were evaluated with gastrointestinal quality of life index questionnaire (GIQLI). RESULTS Duration of surgery was 186.6±10 min. All patients recovered with morbidity compared to any other laparoscopic surgery and there were no post op urinary or sexual dysfunction during the follow up period. There were no recurrences in follow up period. Median GIQLI score was 75 ( ranged from 35 to 110) before treatment and 120 (ranged from 80 to 144) after treatment. CONCLUSION Diverting colostomy followed by laparoscopic surgery is a very safe and feasible method for management of rectovaginal fistula with minimum morbidity

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