Transabdominal transfer of the caudally based rectus abdominis muscle in complicated pelvic disease

Transabdominal transfer of a rectus abdominis muscle flap to treat long-standing fistulae both in gynaecological and surgical patients appears to be a reliable and successful method. Ten patients with infected implants for vaginal vault suspension and 12 patients with rectovaginal or pouch fistulae, healed well following this procedure. In two patients, the flap was used as a musculocutaneous flap in order to reconstruct the vagina at the same stage. Apart from one patient who developed an abscess and two patients in whom bulging of the abdominal wall occurred, the postoperative course was uneventful.