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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15, 2014; 5(4): 487-495
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.487
Published online Nov 15, 2014. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.487
Contemporary surgical management of rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease
Michael A Valente, Tracy L Hull, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
Author contributions: Valente MA and Hull TL contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Michael A Valente, DO, Staff Surgeon, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, A-30, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States. valentm2@ccf.org
Telephone: +1-216-4456297 Fax: +1-216-4458627
Received: January 6, 2014
Revised: March 27, 2014
Accepted: July 17, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Revised: March 27, 2014
Accepted: July 17, 2014
Published online: November 15, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Rectovaginal fistula secondary to Crohn’s disease is a devastating and disabling condition with a significant negative impact on quality of life. Furthermore, these fistulae pose an extremely challenging dilemma for the clinician with unique and often frustrating management challenges. Medical management is often futile and surgery may offer the only chance for cure. In this article, we aim to review the various treatment options to close these difficult to treat fistulae, with an emphasis on surgical technique and complex decision making.