Evaluation of a modified one-stage technique for repair of third-degree perineal laceration and rectovestibular fistula with rectal pull-back technique in 12 mares: a retrospective case series

This study was carried out to evaluate a rectal pull-back one-stage technique, which is a modification of the one-stage Goetz technique, for treating third-degree perineal laceration or rectovestibular fistula. This study was performed on 12 mares, ten of whom suffered from third-grade perineal laceration, and two suffered from rectovestibular fistula and were included in this study. After incision of the vestibular shelf horizontally, the dissected rectal flap was pulled caudally and sutured to the anal sphincter during its reconstruction at the final stage. While the vestibular shelf/vaginal flap was reconstructed using size 2 polyglactin 910 suture material in six-bite suture pattern. Post-oparative follow up included monitoring the wound healing and recording the complications. Neither necrosis of the rectovestibular shelf nor formation of rectovestibular fistula has been recorded. Two mares showed partial dehiscence of the perineal body and one had partial dehiscence of anal sphincter which healed successfully. Rectal pull-back technique can be a good alternative for the treatment of third-grade perineal laceration and rectovestibular fistula in mares.