Commentary on ‘Microbiome diversity predicts surgical success in patients with rectovaginal fistula’

Excerpt

This is a single-institution pilot study with the primary aim of characterizing the vaginal and rectal microbiome in patients with rectovaginal fistula planning to undergo surgical treatment between 1 January 2018–31 May 2019. Secondary aims included to collectively and longitudinally evaluate changes in the microbiome and in quality of life measurements through the perioperative course. Exclusion criteria included patients with colovaginal and enterovaginal fistula. Additional exclusion criteria included: current pregnancy, current or recent history (within 4 weeks) of antibiotic use, history of chemotherapy within 2 years of fistula surgery, prior pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy, and current or planned intestinal diversion. Rectal and vaginal samples were obtained from 14 patients with rectovaginal fistula preoperatively, immediately following surgery, 6–8 weeks postoperatively and at the time of fistula recurrence. …