Abstract
PURPOSE: Patients rarely have intractable hemorrhage from rectovaginal fistulas, which usually require surgical intervention. This report presents our experience with nonsurgical treatment of a high-risk patient with uncontrolled hemorrhage originating from a malignant rectovaginal fistula. METHODS: A 74-year-old female developed uncontrolled hemorrhage from a malignant rectovaginal fistula. Because of her poor physical condition, an embolization with metal clips of the right and left hypogastric arteries was performed, distal to the superior gluteal artery. RESULTS: Embolization was successful in controlling the rectovaginal bleeding, allowing the patient to live 12 months. She refused adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Selective angiography and embolization is a worthwhile alternative in patients with uncontrolled bleeding from a malignant rectovaginal fistula who are poor candidates for surgical intervention.
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Dushnitsky, T., Ziv, Y., Peer, A. et al. Embolization—An optional treatment for intractable hemorrhage from a malignant rectovaginal fistula. Dis Colon Rectum 42, 271–273 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02237141
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02237141