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Rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary and Conclusions

Low rectovaginal fistulas occur in Crohn's disease but are not common. As with other manifestations of anorectal Crohn's disease, their incidence is directly proportional to the closeness of the diseased segment of bowel to the anus. Rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease signifies a bad prognosis. The fistula will not heal when treatment is limited to either medical treatment or proximal diversion of the fecal stream. Direct surgical treatment is reserved for those patients whose symptoms are unacceptable despite medical treatment. In nearly all of these cases, ileostomy and abdominoperineal excision are necessary. However, a few cases may be repaired when the rectal segment is normal and other conditions are favorable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 415 E. Harding Way, Suite E, 95204, Stockton, California

    Peter A. Tuxen M.D. & Alejandro F. Castro M.D.

  2. Rockville, Maryland

    Peter A. Tuxen M.D. & Alejandro F. Castro M.D.

Authors
  1. Peter A. Tuxen M.D.
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  2. Alejandro F. Castro M.D.
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Additional information

Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, June 11 to 15, 1978. This paper received the Purdue Frederick Education Committee Award.

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Tuxen, P.A., Castro, A.F. Rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease. Dis Colon Rectum 22, 58–62 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586761

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586761

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