Inadvertent rectal injury during radical perineal prostatectomy may so
metimes lead to the development of a rectocutaneous fistula. This has
traditionally been managed with diverting colostomy until closure of t
he fistula is assured. We report 3 cases of rectocutaneous fistula fol
lowing radical perineal prostatectomy, which were managed in a more co
nservative fashion. This included appropriate wound care, antibiotics,
bower rest, parenteral hyperalimentation, and, in the presence of a c
oncomitant urine leak in 1 case, optimal urinary diversion and bed res
t. All fistulas healed without incident.