Conservative therapy of rectourethral fistula: five-year follow-up.

A case of rectourethral fistula is described, occurring after radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy for pathologic Stage C carcinoma of the prostate. Urethral instrumentation for stricture disease immediately preceded development of the stricture. Conservative management for five years has resulted in the development of osteomyelitis of the pubis, but with antibiotic suppression the patient remains active and asymptomatic. Predisposing factors for the development of rectourethral fistula following radical prostatectomy may include adjuvant radiotherapy and recurrent urethral instrumentation. Most patients will require definitive repair but occasionally a patient may be managed conservatively.