Temporary stomas after rectal cancer resection; predilection of being permanent and predictors of complications?

Stomas are essential for colorectal surgery and are widely used not only for selected cases for bowel obstructions but also in rectal cancer operations to divert stool away from low rectal anastomosis. On the other hand, complications with stomas/ stomas reversal are not uncommon. In this study, we aimed at studying the frequency and the predictors of temporary stomas being permanent, and the contributing factors of surgical stoma/stoma closure related complications. In our cohort, only about 40% of the patient closed their initially planned temporary stomas. The occurrence of intestinal leak, wound sepsis, or any type of morbidity with 30 days of operation were significant predictors of permanent stomas. In addition, alarmingly although Hartmann's procedure was uncommon in our practice, only 9% of those who underwent Hartmann's have had it reversed. Moreover, the only factor that significantly increased stoma related complications was having an end colostomy. There was a tendency toward late closure of stomas with median 8.2 months, however early closure did not correlate to complications. In conclusion, further studies are needed to delineate the low rate of stoma closure. Patients who develop postoperative complications, even wound sepsis, would be at a higher risk of living with permanent stomas. Hartmann's procedures are commonly associated with stoma problems, and reluctance to reverse the stomas. (AU)

Surgical treatment of rectal cancer: prospective cohort study about good oncologic results and low rates of abdominoperineal excision / Tratamento cirúrgico do câncer retal: estudo coorte prospectivo com bons resultados oncológicos e baixas taxas de amputação abdominoperineal

ABSTRACT Objectives: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of rectal cancer surgery, in a unit adopting the principles of total mesorectal excision (TME) with a high restorative procedure rate and with a low rate of abdominoperineal excision (APE). Methods: we enrolles patients with extraperitoneal rectal cancer undergoing TME or TME+APE. Patients with mid rectal tumors underwent TME, and patients with tumors of the lower rectum and no criteria for APE underwent TME and intersphincteric resection. Those in which the intersphincteric space was invaded and in those with a free distal margin less than 1cm or a tumor free radial margin were unattainable underwent APE or extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE). We assessed local recurrence rates, overall survival and involvement of the radial margin. Results: sixty (89.6%) patients underwent TME and seven (10.4%) TME + APE, of which five underwent ELAPE. The local recurrence, in pacientes undergoing TME+LAR, was 3.3% and in patients undergoing APE, 14.3%. The local recurrence rate (p=0.286) or the distant recurrence rate (p=1.000) was similar between groups. There was no involvement of radial margins. Survival after 120 months was similar (p=0.239). Conclusion: rectal malignancies, including those located in the low rectum, may be surgically treated with a low rate of APE without compromising oncological principles and with a low local recurrence rates.

RESUMO Objetivos: o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os resultados da cirurgia do câncer de reto, em uma unidade que adota os princípios da excisão total do mesorreto (ETM) com baixa taxa de amputação abdominoperineal (AAP). Métodos: os pacientes com câncer retal extraperitoneal foram submetidos a ETM ou ETM com amputação abdominoperianeal. Pacientes com tumores de reto médio foram submetidos a EMT e pacientes com tumores de reto inferior e sem critérios para AAP foram submetidos a EMT e ressecção interesfincteriana. Aqueles em que o espaço interesfincteriano foi invadido e naqueles com margem distal livre menor que 1cm ou margem radial livre de tumor foram inatingíveis foram submetidos a AAP ou excisão abdominoperineal extraelevadora (ELAPE). Avaliamos as taxas de recorrência local, sobrevida global e envolvimento da margem radial. Resultados: sessenta (89,6%) pacientes realizaram ETM e sete (10,4%) ETM + AAP, dos quais cinco realizaram ELAPE. A recidiva local, em pacientes submetidos a ETM com ressecção anterior baixa, foi de 3,3% e em pacientes submetidos a AAP, 14,3%. A taxa de recorrência local (p=0,286) ou a taxa de recorrência à distância (p=1,000) foi semelhante entre os grupos. Não houve envolvimento das margens radiais. A sobrevida após 120 meses foi semelhante (p=0,239). Conclusão: as neoplasias malignas retais, incluindo aquelas localizadas no reto baixo, podem ser tratadas cirurgicamente com baixo índice de AAP, sem comprometer os princípios oncológicos e com baixo índice de recorrência local.

Scarless two-stage delayed coloanal anastomosis: a technique description

Introduction: In current clinical practice, immediate coloanal anastomosis (ICA) remains the standard technique for restoring the gastrointestinal tract following coloproctectomy for low rectal cancer. This anastomosis still requires a temporary diverting stoma to decrease the postoperative morbidity, which remains significantly high. As an alternative, some authors have proposed a two-stage delayed coloanal anastomosis (TS-DCA). This article reports on the surgical technique of TS-DCA. Methods: The case described is of a 53-year-old woman, without any particular history, in whom colonoscopy motivated by rectal bleeding revealed an adenocarcinoma of the low rectum. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumor ~ 1 cm above the puborectalis muscle, graded cT3N +. The extension workup was negative. Seven weeks after chemoradiotherapy, a coloproctectomy with total mesorectal excision (TME) was performed. A TS-DCA was chosen to restore the digestive tract. Conclusion: Two-stage delayed coloanal anastomosis is a safe and effective alternative for restoring the digestive tract after proctectomy for low rectal cancer. Recent data seem to show a clear advantage of this technique in terms of morbidity. (AU)

Construction of postoperative prognosis model for patients with colorectal cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To screen the factors influencing overall survival (OS) of patients undergoing radical resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) and to construct a prognostic model for OS of patients after CRC.Methods:The clinical data of 350 patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ CRC who underwent radical resection in the People's Hospital of Wuhan University from March 2017 to December 2019 were collected retrospectively. Patients were divided into subgroups 0 ( n=70), 1 ( n=172), and 2 ( n=108) according to different preoperative systemic inflammation score (SIS). The relationship between different SIS, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII) and prognosis of CRC patients undergoing radical surgical resection were analyzed, and Cox regression models were used to perform univariate and multifactorial analyses of factors affecting patient prognosis, and column line graph models were constructed based on the results of multifactorial analyses. Results:By the deadline of follow-up, 80 of 350 CRC patients died, and the 5-year OS rate was 77.14%. The 5-year survival rates of patients in SIS group 0, group 1 and group 2 were 95.71%, 79.65% and 61.11% respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=30.19, P<0.001). Statistically significant differences in age ( χ2=19.40, P<0.001), tumor site ( χ2=8.18, P=0.017), T stage ( χ2=10.01, P=0.007), TNM stage ( χ2=14.80, P=0.001), tumor diameter ( χ2=13.91, P=0.001) and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) level ( χ2=10.12, P=0.006) among patients in SIS group 0, group 1 and group 2. The 5-year OS rates of patients in the low NLR and high NLR groups were 82.67% and 56.16% respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=24.96, P<0.001) ; the 5-year OS rates of patients in the low LMR and high LMR groups were 66.85% and 88.17% respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=22.45, P<0.001) ; the 5-year OS rates of patients in the low SII and high SII groups were 86.14% and 69.02% respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=14.76, P<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that age ( HR=2.58, 95% CI: 1.54-4.32, P<0.001), T stage ( HR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.24-4.68, P=0.009), N stage ( HR=3.03, 95% CI: 1.85-4.94, P<0.001), TNM stage ( HR=3.61, 95% CI: 2.15-6.04, P<0.001), nerve invasion ( HR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.27-3.08, P=0.002), vascular invasion ( HR=2.31, 95% CI: 1.49-3.59, P<0.001), preoperative SIS 1 score ( HR=5.09, 95% CI: 1.57-16.56, P=0.007), SIS 2 score ( HR=11.05, 95% CI: 3.42-35.65, P<0.001), NLR ( HR=2.97, 95% CI: 1.90-4.64, P<0.001), LMR ( HR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.19-0.52, P<0.001), and SII ( HR=2.50, 95% CI: 1.54-4.06, P<0.001) were all independent influence factors affecting the postoperative prognosis of CRC patients undergoing radical surgical resection; multivariate analysis showed that age >60 years ( HR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.31-3.91, P=0.003), TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ ( HR=7.08, 95% CI: 1.89-26.59, P=0.004), and preoperative SIS 2 score ( HR=4.02, 95% CI: 1.09-14.83, P=0.037) were all independent risk factors affecting the postoperative prognosis of CRC patients undergoing radical surgical resection. The nomogram model built based on the screened variables has high prediction accuracy: the C-index of the nomogram was 0.75. Conclusion:Age>60 years old, TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ, SIS 2 score are all independent risk factors for postoperative prognosis of colorectal cancer. The nomograph model constructed by this method has high prediction accuracy.

Rectal Cancer: Management Trends and Changes. Concepts for Gastroenterologists and Surgeons / Cáncer de recto: tendencias y cambios en el manejo. Conceptos para el gastroenterólogo y el cirujano

Abstract Rectal cancer is the third most frequent cancer in Colombia and constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for gastroenterologists, surgeons, and oncologists. Diagnostic evaluation and the study of its locoregional and systemic extension have been modified by new imaging methods, enabling an accurate view of anatomical structures that could not be easily examined before. The availability of these new tools in disease staging has significantly impacted therapeutic decisions and the choice of a specific treatment path for each patient, rationalizing the use of neoadjuvant therapies and the performance of surgery with correct anatomical criteria. The preceding has been essential to achieving the best outcomes with the least associated postoperative morbidity. This article will review and explain in detail the most recent changes and up-to-date recommendations for managing rectal cancer.

Resumen El cáncer de recto es el tercer cáncer en frecuencia en Colombia, y constituye un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico para gastroenterólogos, cirujanos y oncólogos. La evaluación diagnóstica y el estudio de su extensión locorregional y sistémica se han modificado por nuevos métodos de imagen, que permiten una visualización precisa de estructuras anatómicas que antes no se podían evaluar fácilmente. La disponibilidad de estas nuevas herramientas en la estadificación de la enfermedad ha tenido un gran impacto en las decisiones terapéuticas y en la escogencia de una ruta de tratamiento específica para cada paciente, lo que ha racionalizado el uso de terapias neoadyuvantes y la realización de cirugía con criterios anatómicos correctos. Esto ha sido fundamental en el objetivo de lograr los mejores desenlaces con la menor morbilidad posoperatoria asociada. En este artículo se revisarán y explicarán en detalle cuáles han sido los cambios más recientes y las recomendaciones más actualizadas para el manejo del cáncer de recto.

Risk factors of early postoperative complications after intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer and construction of a nomogram prediction model / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To identify the risk factors for postoperative early complications of low rectal cancer treated with intersphincteric resection (ISR).Methods:The perioperative data of 82 patients with low rectal cancer undergoing ISR at the General Surgery Department of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital between Jan 2017 to Dec 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate, Logistic regression and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the risk factors for early complications after ISR, and a nomogram prediction model was drawn. Predictive models are validated.Results:There were 22 patients (27%) with complications. Univariate analysis showed that early complications were related to diabetes (0.021), serum albumin (<0.001), nutritional prognosis index (0.003), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (<0.001), and operation time (<0.001). By multivariate analysis, diabetes ( OR=4.853, 95% CI: 1.059-22.241, P=0.042), low serum albumin ( OR=0.672, 95% CI: 0.468-0.966, P=0.032), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy ( OR=4.482, 95% CI: 1.117-17.979, P=0.034) and longer operation time ( OR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.001-1.029, P=0.037) were independent risk factors A nomogram prediction model was thus constructed, and the area under the curve of the nomogram prediction model was 0.888 (95% CI: 0.812-0.965). Conclusion:Diabetes mellitus, low serum albumin, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and longer operation time are independent risk factors of early postoperative complications for low rectal cancer undergoing ISR.

Isquemia aguda del canal anal / Acute Ischemia of the Anal Canal

Introducción: La isquemia anal aguda con gangrena es una entidad infrecuente, con escasa literatura publicada al respecto, cuyas cifras de mortalidad descritas se sitúan en un 20 por ciento - 40 por ciento de los casos. Debe considerarse en ancianos con enfermedad aterosclerótica que presenten síntomas gastrointestinales inferiores y shock hipotensivo. Puede ser causada por oclusión vascular aguda, enfermedad vascular grave o un estado de bajo flujo, aunque en algunos casos se presenta sin enfermedad vascular preexistente. Objetivo: Presentar la literatura existente acerca del manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico de la isquemia de canal anal en base a un caso clínico diagnosticado y tratado de urgencia en el hospital "Marina Baixa". Caso clínico: Se presenta un caso de isquemia espontánea de canal anal en paciente de 76 años de edad con morbilidad cardiovascular asociada. Debuta como cuadro séptico sin evidencia de causa desencadenante. Conclusiones: Las pruebas endoscópicas y radiológicas deben realizarse con urgencia y la valoración quirúrgica está siempre justificada en estos pacientes debido a la alta tasa de mortalidad descrita en el manejo conservador del cuadro. En casos graves, la reanimación preoperatoria y cirugía urgente para resecar el segmento gangrenoso es necesaria. Sin embargo, el tratamiento de la proctitis isquémica aguda es controvertido y depende, en parte, del estado basal del paciente y los hallazgos clínicos, siendo importante examinar otras posibles etiologías de proctitis isquémica y así determinar qué pacientes necesitan intervención quirúrgica temprana en comparación con una actitud más conservadora(AU)

Introduction: Acute ischemic gangrene of the anus is an infrequent entity, with little published literature, whose reported mortality figures are 20-40 percent of cases. It should be considered in elderlies with atherosclerotic disease who present lower gastrointestinal symptoms and hypotensive shock. It can be caused by acute vascular occlusion, severe vascular disease, or a low-flow state, although in some cases it presents without pre-existing vascular disease. Objective: To present the existing literature on diagnostic and therapeutic management of ischemia of the anal canal upon the base of a clinical case diagnosed and treated as an urgency at Marina Baixa hospital. Clinical case: The case is presented of a 76-year-old patient with spontaneous ischemia of the anal canal and associated cardiovascular morbidity. It debuts as a septic condition without evidence of a triggering cause. Conclusions: Endoscopic and radiological tests should be performed urgently. Surgical assessment is always justified in these patients, due to the high mortality rate described in the conservative management of the condition. In severe cases, preoperative resuscitation and urgent surgery to resect the gangrenous segment is necessary. However, managment of acute ischemic proctitis is controversial and depends, in part, on the patient's baseline status and clinical findings, while it is important to examine other possible etiologies of ischemic proctitis and thus determine which patients need early surgical intervention compared to a more conservative attitude(AU)

Pull-Through in Patients after Pelvic Anastomosis Leak Following Proctectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study / Abaixamento em pacientes após vazamento de anastomose pélvica após proctectomia: Um estudo transversal

Abstract Introduction Colorectal cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the third leading cause ofmortality due to cancers. Anastomosis leak after proctectomy is a dangerous complication that must be managed carefully. The aim of the present study was to assess the procedure of resection and pull-through of the new rectum after anastomosis leak in patients after proctectomy. Methods and Materials This was a cross-sectional study. Patients who visited the Firoozgar Hospital between 2015 and 2018 for rectal cancer surgery and had anastomosis leak entered the study. All patients underwent resection of the residue of rectum and pull-through of colon. Results In the present study, out of the 110 cases who underwent proctectomy, 12 patients with postoperative anastomosis leak were reported. Five (41.7%) were male and 7 (58.3%) were female. Themean age of the patients was 41.5 ± 4.3 years (33-51). Resection of the new rectum and pull-through anastomosis were performed for these 12 patients. No major intraoperative complication occurred. Postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. Discussion Resection of residue of rectum and pull-through in patients with anastomosis leak can be done after rectal cancer surgery. This method is superior to abdominopelvic resection in many aspects, especially regarding accessibility to the new rectum by rectal exam or endosonography to assess recurrence or a relative continence after closure of ostomy.

Resumo Introdução O câncer colorretal é o segundo tipo de câncer mais comum, e a terceira principal causa de mortalidade por câncer. O vazamento da anastomose após a proctectomia é uma complicação perigosa, que deve ser tratada com cuidado. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o procedimento de ressecção e abaixamento do novo reto após vazamento de anastomose em pacientes submetidos à proctectomia. Métodos e Materiais Este foi um estudo transversal que incluiu pacientes que compareceram ao Firoozgar Hospital entre 2015 e 2018 submetidos a cirurgia de câncer retal e com vazamento de anastomose. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a ressecção do resíduo do reto e abaixamento do cólon. Resultados No presente estudo, dos 110 casos submetidos a proctectomia, 12 pacientes tiveram vazamento de anastomose pós-operatório: 5 (41,7%) do sexo masculino e 7 (58,3%) do sexo feminino. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 41,5 ± 4,3 anos (gama: 33 a 51 anos). A ressecção do reto novo e a anastomose por abaixamento foram realizadas nesses 12 pacientes. Nenhuma complicação intraoperatória mais grave ocorreu. No pós-operatório, não houve intercorrências em nenhum dos pacientes. Discussão A ressecção de resíduo retal e o abaixamento em pacientes com vazamento de anastomose pode ser feita após cirurgia de câncer retal. Este método é superior à ressecção abdominopélvica em muitos aspectos, especialmente quanto à acessibilidade ao novo reto por exame retal ou endossonografia para avaliar a recorrência ou uma continência relativa após o fechamento da ostomia.

Tromboembolismo de la arteria mesentérica inferior con necrosis del territorio de la arteria rectal superior / Thromboembolism of the inferior mesenteric artery with necrosis of the territory of the superior rectal artery

RESUMEN Fundamento: la elevada mortalidad de la isquemia intestinal obliga a llevar a cabo un esfuerzo de coordinación a todos los niveles al actuar con celeridad. Las isquemias segmentarias son menos comunes y lo son, aún más, las del territorio de la arteria mesentérica inferior. Objetivo: exponer un caso poco frecuente de isquemia de la unión rectosigmoidea, provocado por un embolismo de la arteria mesentérica inferior y subsiguiente necrosis del territorio de la rectal superior. Presentación de caso: paciente femenina 76 años de edad ingresada desde hacía 31 días con diagnóstico de enfermedad cerebrovascular tipo infarto cerebral, que el día que se decide su egreso presenta un cuadro sincopal, presentando luego; dolor, distensión y contractura abdominal en cuadrante inferior izquierdo por lo que es intervenida quirúrgicamente, se encontró una necrosis del recto superior y sigmoides bajo (unión rectosigmoidea). Conclusiones: el embolismo de la arteria mesentérica inferior con necrosis segmentaria es una presentación muy rara de esta afección, en la literatura los casos reportados son escasos, esto se debe a las consideraciones anatómicas de las arterias y venas mesentéricas, cuando ocurre la oclusión de las arteria mesentérica inferior suele ser lenta y progresiva con revascularización o si es de forma abrupta la arteria mesentérica superior suple las necesidades de este territorio mediante la arteria de Drummont, lo cual ocurrió en esta paciente pero no con su arteria terminal (punto crítico de Sudeck) necrosándose el rectosigmoides.

ABSTRACT Background: the high mortality of intestinal ischemia requires an effort of coordination at all levels, requiring prompt action. Segmental ischemias are less common and, more so, those of the territory of the inferior mesenteric artery. Objective: to present a rare case of ischemia of the rectosigmoid junction, caused by an embolism of the inferior mesenteric artery and subsequent necrosis of the upper rectal territory. Case presentation: 76-year-old female patient admitted for 31 days with a diagnosis of cerebral infarction-type cerebrovascular disease, which on the day her discharge is decided presents a syncopal picture, presenting later; pain, abdominal distension and contracture in the lower left quadrant, so she undergoes a surgery finding a necrosis of the upper rectum and low sigmoid (recto-sigmoid union). Conclusions: the embolism of the inferior mesenteric artery with segmental necrosis is a very rare presentation of this affection, in the literature the cases reported are scarce, this is due to the anatomical considerations of the mesenteric arteries and veins, when occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery occurs is usually slow and progressive with revascularization or if abruptly the superior mesenteric artery supplies the needs of this territory through the Drummont artery, which occurred in this patient but not with her terminal artery (Sudeck's critical point) recto-sigmoid necrosis.

Short-term outcomes comparison between robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To compare effectiveness and short-term outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic surgery for radical resection of rectal cancer.Methods A total of 410 patients diagnosed with rectal cancer,undergoing robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) for rectal cancer (215 cases) and conventional laparoscopic surgery(CLS) for rectal cancer (195) from Jan 2016 to Dec 2018 were included into the present study.Operative characteristics,postoperative complications and pathologic parameters were evaluated between RAS and CLS group.Results The RAS group had less intraoperative blood loss[(107 ± 46) ml vs.(147 ±35)ml,t =3.695,P＜0.05],longer operation time[(209 ±55)min vs.(195 ± 55)min,t=2.508,P＜0.05],earlier first flatus[(3.4 ± 1.4)d vs.(5.3 ± 1.6)d,t =-14.952,P＜ 0.05],and first liquid diet time [(4.3 ± 1.5) d vs.(6.2 ± 2.6) d,t =-9.109,P ＜ 0.05],more number of dissected lymph nodes[(12.6 ± 4.3) vs.(10.6 ± 4.5),t =4.468,P ＜ 0.05] compared with those in the CLS group.But more expensive total hospitalization costs[(71 775 ±45 089) yuan vs.(66 789 ± 16 721) yuan,t =4.224,P ＜ 0.05].Conclusion Compared with laparoscopic surgery,robotic-assisted surgery has less blood loss,shorter time of first flatus,more lymph nodes yield.

Predictive factors of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing rectal surgery

BACKGROUND: Despite major advance in surgical techniques from open surgery to robot-assisted surgery, acute kidney injury (AKI) is still major postoperative complication in rectal surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence of postoperative AKI according to different surgical techniques and also the risk factors, outcomes of AKI in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review was done in a total of 288 patients who received proctectomy because of rectal cancer from 2011 to 2013. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 62 ± 12 years, and male was 64.2%. Preoperative creatinine was 0.91 ± 0.18 mg/dL. Open surgery was performed in 9%, and laparoscopy assisted surgery or robot assisted surgery were performed in 54.8% or 36.1% of patients, respectively. AKI developed in 11 patients (3.82%), 2 (18%) of them received acute hemodialysis. Incidence of AKI was not different according to the surgical technique, however, the presence of diabetes, intraoperative shock, and postoperative ileus was associated with the development of AKI. In addition, AKI patients showed significantly longer hospital stay and higher mortality than non-AKI patients. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that despite advances in surgical techniques, incidence of postoperative AKI remains unchanged and also that postoperative AKI is associated with poor outcome. We also found that presence of diabetes, intraoperative shock and postoperative ileus are strongly associated with the development of AKI. More careful attention should be paid on high risk patients for the development of postoperative AKI regardless of surgical techniques.

Clinical Outcome of a Rectovaginal Fistula in Crohn's Disease

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the outcome of a variety of treatments, including local surgical treatments, diverting stoma, and combined medical therapy, for patients with a rectovaginal fistula complicating Crohn's disease. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2003, twenty-one patients with a rectovaginal fistula complicating Crohn's disease from a prospectively compiled 422-patient Crohn's disease database were reviewed. RESULTS: All three patients treated by seton and fibrin glue recurred despite having relatively long tracts. Of six patients with infliximab treatment combined with a seton procedure, five patients had an improvement of their symptoms, but were not cured. Of eight patients with a transanal or endovaginal advancement flap techniques, three had successful closure, three eventually required a proctectomy, and two had a recurrent fistula without symptoms. Four (2 without any local treatments, and 2 with seton placement) of 16 patients who had a diverting stoma during treatment had successful closure. All proctectomy patients (n=8) had rectal involvement of Crohn's disease. Two patients who underwent a proctectomy with a presumptive diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis turned out to have Crohn's disease. Overall, except for the proctectomy patients, seven patients (54%) had successful closure, but six (four without symptoms, and two with symptoms) following a wide spectrum of treatments had recurrence after a mean follow-up of 44 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combining different treatments for a rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease can be successful in a reasonable number of cases. The presence of uncontrolled perianal sepsis and/or complicated anorectal problems is likely to lead to a proctectomy.