Contributors: Nell Maloney Patel, MD and Craig Rezac, MD
There is little role for the use of minimally invasive techniques in the emergent setting for ulcerative colitis. However, for elective procedures, studies have shown that laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with IPAA is equivalent to open IPAA with regards to safety and feasibility, and that laparoscopic IPAA is associated with shorter recovery times, earlier return to bowel function, less post operative pain and a better cosmetic result. However laparoscopic approaches are difficult especially in the narrow pelvis. These challenges maybe overcome with the daVinci robotic system.
DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.17797/r1oi8fx5c2
Editor Recruited by: Neil Tanna
Contributors: Dr. Jimmy Lin, Dr. Juana Hutchinson-Colas, Dr. Nell Maloney-Patel
Rectovaginal fistulas can occur for a number of reasons, including obstetric trauma, iatrogenic, radiation damage and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms range from asymptomatic to uncontrollable passage of gas or feces from the vagina leading to poor quality of life for some patients. For those patients whom surgery is indicated, there are several different approaches depending on the fistula etiology and previous attempts at repair. These range from simple fistulectomy to transabdominal repair with tissue interposition to Martius flap interposition. Our patient in the video had previously underwent multiple various repairs which failed to provide adequate resolution of her fistula and therefore presented for a Modified Martius flap repair. The benefit of such a repair is to provide neovascularity at the site of repair with minimal cosmetic effect.
