Successful management of rectovaginal fistula treated by endorectal advancement flap: report of two cases and literature review

INTRODUCTION Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) sometimes has a difficulty in treatment. This report describes two patients who suffered from RVF. CASE DESCRIPTIONS One patient was a 76-year-old woman who had a RVF over 30 years after the 3rd childbirth. She underwent endorectal advancement flap (ERAF). She had a nighttime soiling after ERAF once a month, which disappeared one year after surgery. Second patient was a 23-year-old woman who had a RVF one month after the first childbirth. She underwent ERAF, and did not have any complications. DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION Both patients did not develop recurrence for four years. Quality of life after ERAF was satisfactory in both patients. ERAF is a safe procedure in terms of both short and long outcomes. We also present a review of the literature concerning ERAF for RVF. CONCLUSIONS ERAF can be a potential option as a treatment for RVF.