Effect of Prior Radiotherapy and Ablative Therapy on Surgical Outcomes for the Treatment of Rectourethral Fistulas

Unlike the repair of a rectourethral fistula after surgical intervention, which is typically amenable to primary repair, most patients with severe radiation and ablation induced fistula will require urinary diversion with or without permanent colostomy. Thus, permanent urinary diversion should be considered early in the surgical management of these cases.