Laparoscopic and Robotic-assisted Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Two types of laparoscopic or robotic-assisted vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repairs, the traditional transvesical (O'Conor) and extravesical techniques, dominate the literature. The objectives of this study are to compare success rates between laparoscopic or robotic transvesical and extravesical laparoscopic VVF repair techniques and to evaluate the impact of the number of layers in the closure, interposition flaps, and intraoperative testing of the integrity of the bladder repair. Eligible studies, published between 1994 and March 10, 2014, were retrieved through Medline and bibliography searches. All study designs of laparoscopic/robotic VVF repair were included. Open laparotomy and vaginal approaches were excluded. Only 1 retrospective cohort study was included, with the remaining articles consisting of case reports and case series. Ultimately, only 44 studies were included in a systematic review: 9 articles of robotic-assisted approach, 3 laparoscopic single-site surgeries, and 32 conventional laparoscopic approaches. A literature review revealed a balanced number of reports for both transvesical and extravesical approaches. Statistical meta-analysis was not performed because of high heterogeneity. The overall success rate of laparoscopic VVF repair was 80% to 100% with a follow-up period of 1 to 74 months. The success rate of transvesical and extravesical techniques were 95.89% and 98.04% (relative risk, .98; 95% confidence interval, .94-1.02). There was no statistical difference in success rates of VVF repair with different number of layers in the fistula closure or with use of interposition flaps, but there was a small increase in success in the cases that documented intraoperative bladder filling to test the integrity of the bladder closure. In conclusion, transperitoneal extravesical VVF repair has cure rates similar to the traditional transvesical approach. Laparoscopic extravesical VVF repair is a safe, effective, minimally invasive technique with excellent cure rates similar to those of the conventional transvesical approach in experienced surgeons' hands.