Vestibular Fistula
Most of the time, vestibular fistula is a defect with:
- A good potential prognosis
- Good muscles
- A good sacrum
However, it is the defect in which Colorectal Center surgeons at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have seen most complications when its repair is attempted by surgeons without experience.
Complexity of this defect is frequently underestimated simply because the surgeon is able to see the fistula, and feels that only a minor type of operation is required for this repair.
As a consequence, the repair is frequently attempted without a colostomy. Many patients come for a secondary operation after an attempted repair without a colostomy has failed.
This defect requires a more extensive operation than the one described for a cutaneous fistula. However, the incision is not as large as the one used in a full posterior sagittal anorectoplasty and it need not extend high enough to expose the coccyx. Thus, the operation is called a limited Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty / PSARP.
Occasionally, however, a vestibular fistula seems to be long and narrow and there will be a need to increase the length of the incision more cephalad.
For more information or to request an appointment, please contact the Colorectal Center at Cincinnati Children's.
