Bartholin's gland abscess a rare cause of rectovaginal fistula: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION: Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is an abnormal communication between the vagina and the rectum. RVFs caused by Bartholin's gland infection are very rare. We present the case of recurrent rectovaginal fistula complicating a bartholin's gland abcess successfully treated with a Martius flap. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the possibility of complication of bartholin's gland infection by a rectovaginal fistula and the efficacy of Martius flap procedure for recurrent RVF of the low third part of the vagina. OBSERVATION: It is a 30-year-old woman admitted to our department for recurrent RVF due to an abscess of the Bartholin's glands. She was previously treated with a vaginal advancement flap which failed with persistence of the fistula and its symptoms. The patient underwent a RVF repair by Martius flap with complete healing of the fistula. DISCUSSION: Rectovaginal fistula is a complex pathology with psycho-social, individual, family, religious and ethno-environmental repercussions. Its main aetiologies are obstetric, rectal surgery. Several techniques including the vaginal or anal advancement flap and the Martius flap are used for the treatment of rectovaginal fistulas. For recurrent fistulas, the Martius flap seems to be the most indicated with better results. CONCLUSION: Rectovaginal fistula remain a challenge for surgeons and have major psycho-socio-economic repercussions for the patient. The complication of Bartholin's gland infection by rectovaginal fistula is rare. The Martius flap technique is the method of choice for recurrent rectovaginal fistulas of the lower third of the vagina or in association with other pathologies.