Endoscopic treatment of recto-vesical fistula after radical prostatectomy. Our findings in 2 patients.

Objective: The recto-vesical fistula (FRV) that follows a radical prostatectomy is an unusual complication and involves a difficult management. A wide variety of surgical aggressive repair techniques are described in literature, including end-colostomy. Furthermore, non-invasive procedures are barely documented. We present 2 cases with an early diagnosis of postoperative FRV resolved with minimally invasive treatment, with the aim to place theset echniques in the therapeutic range.

Material And Methods: In both two cases, the diagnosis of VRF was clinical and radiological. First symptoms occurred heterogeneously since one of the fistulas was secondary to rectal perforation and second was evident after removing the bladder catheter in a uneventful postoperative period. Exploration techniques showed low diameter fistulous orifices in both cases. The conservative treatment consisted in the use of transrectal endoscopic approach and minimally invasive techniques for the closure of the fistulous orifice and a prolonged use of the bladder catheter.

Results: The two patients were followed up at least 36 months, confirming the resolution of the recto-vesical fistula by cystography and CT. During the follow-up, no patient has required symptomatic treatment or other specific care up to date. CONCLUSIONS: The conservative treatment of the VRF constitutes a non-aggressive alternative to the series of complex surgeries currently used to repair this iatrogenic pathology. The endoscopic closure of iatrogenic fistulas should be claimed as a therapeutic opportunity, although, more experience is needed to state this treatment as a gold standard technique.