Repair of rectourethral fistulas with transperineal buccal mucosa

Our experience

Authors

  • Yunus Çolakoğlu Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
  • Ali Ayten Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Urology, İstanbul, Turkey
  • Deniz Noyan Özlü Bitlis State Hospital
  • Emre Şam Erzurum City Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
  • Abdülmuttalip Şimşek Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.8962

Keywords:

Radical prostatectomy, Rectourethral fistula, Transperineal repair, Buccal mucosa graft

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous closure of rectourethral fistulas (RUF), often seen after radical prostatectomy (RP), is rare, and most cases require surgical repair. In recent years, the perineal approach has become the preferred technique. This study aimed to retrospectively present the surgical and functional results of transperineal buccal mucosal graft repair of RUFs developed after RP.

METHODS: Twenty-four patients who developed RUF secondary to RP between January 2016 and May 2023 were included in the study. Our study excluded patients who had previous unsuccessful fistula treatment and received radiotherapy (RT). Transperineal RUF repair was performed with buccal mucosa graft in all patients and patient data were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS: The mean surgery time was 15.3 (10-22) months after RP. The mean operation time was 110 minutes. The mean hospital stay was seven days. In 22 (91.6%) patients, the suprapubic catheter was removed in the third week. The mean followup period was 28 (4-76) months. The procedure was successful in all patients. No recurrence was observed in any patient during followup. The postoperative satisfaction of the patients was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS: Repair of RUFs secondary to RP with transperineal buccal mucosa is a surgical technique with a low complication and high success rates. This technique can be a good alternative to interposition procedures in non-complex fistulas.

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Published

2025-03-17

How to Cite

Çolakoğlu, Y. ., Ayten, A. ., Özlü, D. N., Şam, E. ., & Şimşek, A. . (2025). Repair of rectourethral fistulas with transperineal buccal mucosa: Our experience. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 19(7), E251–6. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.8962

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 7 (2025): CUAJ July

Section

Original Research

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