Bilateral pedicled myocutaneous vertical rectus abdominus muscle flaps to close vesicovaginal and pouch-vaginal fistulas with simultaneous vaginal and perineal reconstruction in irradiated pelvic wounds

Chronic postoperative pouch-vaginal and vesicovaginal fistulas after hysterectomy and irradiation to treat advanced cervical cancer do not respond to conventional treatment because of the low vascularity in the irradiated area. We present the successful repair of these complications in a female patient, in whom several vaginal and abdominal approaches had been tried and had resulted not only in failure but also in tissue loss and fibrosis and persisting fistulas. First, a synchronous vaginoabdominal approach using a vertical myocutaneous distally based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was used successfully to close a pouch-vaginal fistula and simultaneously reconstruct the posterior vaginal wall. In a second approach, the persisting vesicovaginal fistula was closed by a right rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap while simultaneously reconstructing the anterior vaginal wall, closing the enterocutaneous stoma and performing an appendicovesicostomy as a continence channel for catheterization. Despite unfavorable local wound situations, including an enterocutaneous stoma through the rectus abdominis and various previous incision lines, the transfer of axially well-vascularized tissue can solve these problem wounds. Consecutive bilateral use of the rectus abdominis flap may be necessary to deal with extensive pelvic wounds. This technique should be considered as one repair modality in irradiated pelvic wounds with fistulas. Previous enterostomy is not a contraindication to the use of this flap.