Parks' coloanal sleeve anastomosis for treatment of postirradiation rectovaginal fistula

Postirradiation rectovaginal fistula is a complex problem in colorectal surgery. The modified Parks procedure curettage of rectal mucosa heavily damaged by radiation is introduced. Fifteen cases of coloanal sleeve anastomosis for the repair of rectovaginal postirradiation fistula are described. All patients previously were irradiated heavily because of carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Three patients had simultaneous repair of vesicovaginal fistula. One postoperative death was observed. Of the surviving patients, functional results have been good in 11. In the seven patients with difficult stripping of the rectal mucosa, surgical curettage was performed. The latter procedure is suggested as the method of choice in relevant cases.