Surgical management of rectovaginal fistulas and complete perineal tears.

Twenty-four patients with traumatic rectovaginal fistulas and 27 patients with complete perineal tears underwent secondary operative repair. Primary healing occurred in 50 cases and partial healing in the 51st case. Six patients had previously undergone one to three unsuccessful repairs. The advisability of early repair and the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics and of use of a Martius graft for operative failures are discussed.