Apparatus and method of identifying rectovaginal fistulas

An apparatus for locating rectovaginal fistulas, comprising:

• a. a cannula of a predetermined length, having an inflatable balloon portion on its first end and open-ended on its second end;
• b. the first end of the cannula insertable into a patient's rectum;
• c. the second end of the cannula further comprising a cone portion along its length to seal up against the exterior wall entrance to the rectum;
• d. means for blowing up the balloon after the cannula is in place in the rectum to seal the rectum passage;
• e. a plurality of openings provided along the wall of the cannula between the balloon and the second end of the cannula;
• f. a colored gel insertable into the cannula to the extent that the gel escapes the cannula through the openings and enters the void between the cannula and the wall of the rectum, with sufficient gel entering the void so that gel would seep into any fistulas present and would be visually identifiable in the vagina for repair.

A method of identifying the location of rectovaginal fistulas, comprising the following steps:

• a. providing an elongated cannula, having a first closed end insertable into the rectum to a predetermined distance and a second open end remaining exterior of the rectum;
• b. providing an inflatable balloon adjacent the first end of the cannula;
• c. providing a plurality of openings in the wall of the cannula between the balloon and the rectal opening;
• d. sealing off the rectal opening between the cannula and the rectal wall;
• e. inflating the balloon against the wall of the rectum for preventing fluid to move beyond the position of the balloon in the rectum;
• f. inserting a fluid into the second end of the cannula in sufficient quantity to allow the gel to enter the rectal space and pass into any fistulas present between the balloon and the rectal opening;
• and
• g. identifying the precise location of the fluid entering the vagina through the fistulas for treatment.