Treatment of urogenital fistula in women

Abstract

Introduction and objectivesWe aimed to assess the results of the genitourinary fistula cases intervened in our center in a ten-year period. Patients and methodsWe evaluated the clinical data regarding genitourinary fistula from the medical records of 42 female patients who underwent surgery for this condition between May 2001 and June 2010. Age, previous medical history, diagnostic tools used, operative data and clinical outcomes of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. ResultsThe mean age of patients was 51 years. Of 42 patients, 28 had vesicovaginal (VVF), 11 had ureterovaginal (UVF), and 3 had vesicouterine fistulas (VUF). Etiology of VVF was surgical trauma in 71.5% and obstetric trauma in 28.5% of the patients. O’Connor technique was performed as a single procedure in 12 VVF cases, and ureteroneocystostomy was added in 3. Transvesical repair was performed in 9, and transvaginal repair in 3 of the patients. All of 11 patients with UVF were of iatrogenic origin; ureteroneocystostomy was performed in 6, and Boari flap was performed in 5 of these patients. Three VUFs were repaired primarily. Success rates in VVF, UVF and VUF were 96, 100 and 100%, respectively. ConclusionIn experienced hands and according with the related basic surgical principles, operative treatment in genitourinary fistula represents an effective modality with high success rate.