[Surgical Management of Obstetric Rectovaginal Fistulas: the Gynaecological Point of View].

Obstetric injuries can rarely lead to formation of rectovaginal fistula (RVF). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the causes and management of obstetric rectovaginal fistulas in patients treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tuebingen, from January 2015 to April 2019. Five of 12 surgically treated rectovaginal fistulas were primary fistulas, and 7 patients had recurrence of a fistula. The surgery was carried out by using a vaginal approach following birth or in the context of a subsequent delivery. The latter procedure was chosen in patients at high risk of recurrence or in those who had a high risk of postoperative functional discomfort. For the first time, pregnancy-related changes of the vaginal wall were used to optimise the success rates of a fistula closure. 11 of 12 obstetric rectovaginal fistulas could be closed successfully. The choice of rectovaginal fistula repair should be tailored to the underlying pathology, the type of repair performed previously, the patient's wishes and the surgeon's experience. The therapy of rectovaginal fistulas in special centres is clearly beneficial.