Kauvery Hospital Achieves Rare Medical Milestone with Innovative Treatment for Persistent Colovaginal Fistula
Chennai, June 4, 2026: In a landmark medical achievement that is believed to be the first of its kind in India and among the rarest interventions reported globally, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani has successfully treated a complex and persistent colovaginal fistula in a 73-year-old woman by repurposing a cardiac occlusion device typically used to close defects in the heart.
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| L - R: Dr. Sakthi Vignesh, Medical Administrator, Prof. P. Manokar, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Clinical Lead for the Heart Failure & Transplant Program; Dr. T K Anand, Senior Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology & Interventional Endoscopist; Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj , Co-founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals; Dr. Sundar C, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiology & Endovascular Specialist; Dr. P Basumani , Senior Consultant Interventional Gastroenterologist & Director, Kauvery Institute of Digestive Sciences; Dr. Iyappan Ponnuswamy , Medical Director, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai |
The breakthrough procedure, performed through a minimally invasive approach, brought together the expertise of gastroenterology and interventional cardiology to offer a definitive solution for a patient who had endured years of debilitating symptoms and multiple unsuccessful surgeries.
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A colovaginal fistula is an abnormal connection between the colon and the vagina, causing the passage of fecal matter through the vaginal opening. The patient had been suffering from this distressing condition since 2018, experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections, chronic vaginal discomfort, irritation, and a significant decline in her quality of life.
Over the years, she underwent several major surgical procedures, including a colostomy, removal of the affected section of the large intestine, hernia repair surgery, and intestinal re-anastomosis to restore bowel continuity. Despite these interventions, the fistula recurred, leaving her with persistent symptoms and limited treatment options.
When the patient arrived at Kauvery Hospital, one of the biggest challenges was accurately identifying the fistulous tract. Extensive fibrosis, adhesions, and tissue distortion caused by previous surgeries had made localisation of the abnormal connection extremely difficult. Through advanced endoscopic evaluation and comprehensive diagnostic assessment, the gastroenterology team successfully identified the fistulous communication, laying the foundation for definitive treatment.
Recognising the limitations of conventional approaches for such a recurrent and complex condition, the gastroenterology team collaborated closely with interventional cardiologists to devise an innovative solution. The team adapted a structural heart occlusion device, normally used to seal holes between chambers of the heart, to close the abnormal tract between the colon and vagina.
The highly specialised procedure required meticulous planning, precise sizing and positioning of the device, and seamless coordination between specialties, as the device was being deployed in an anatomical environment vastly different from its intended cardiac application.
The intervention was successfully completed, and one week after the procedure, the patient is recovering well, with marked improvement in symptoms and no immediate complications.
The multidisciplinary team was led by Dr. T.K. Anand, Senior Consultant – Medical Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist, and Prof. P. Manokar, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Clinical Lead – Heart Failure and Transplant Program.
“This was an exceptionally challenging persistent fistula because multiple previous surgeries had significantly altered the anatomy. Chronic fistulas are often associated with extensive fibrosis and scarring, making accurate localisation of the tract extremely difficult. Our goal was not only to close the fistula but also to restore the patient's comfort, dignity and quality of life,” said Dr. T.K. Anand.
Prof. P. Manokar noted that adapting a cardiac occlusion device for use outside the heart required extraordinary precision and multidisciplinary collaboration. “This case demonstrates how innovations developed for cardiac interventions can be successfully applied to address complex problems in other medical specialties,” he said.
Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said the procedure exemplifies the institution’s commitment to innovation and patient-centred care. “By combining expertise from gastroenterology, advanced endoscopy and interventional cardiology, our teams were able to provide a life-changing solution for a patient who had exhausted conventional treatment options,” he said.
The successful intervention not only marks a significant milestone for Indian healthcare but also highlights the growing potential of cross-specialty collaboration in addressing some of the most complex medical challenges.
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