What Researchers Did
Researchers described the case of a 58-year-old man who developed a rectourethral fistula after prostate brachytherapy and how it was treated, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
A 58-year-old man developed a rectourethral fistula 23 months after prostate brachytherapy. His complex treatment included 30 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a gracilis muscle interposition, and primary repair of a 3cm rectal defect. Twelve months post-surgery, the patient showed no signs of the fistula or cancer recurrence and had normal voiding and anal continence.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted by Canadian authors or in Canada. However, the case involves delayed radiation injury, which is a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a case report, this study describes the experience of only one patient, meaning its findings cannot be broadly applied to other individuals.