Genitourinary fistulas of obstetric origin

Objective: To review the results of management of 42 cases of genitourinary fistulas of obstetric origin.Settings: Department of urology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Pakistan.Methods: Forty two cases of genitourinary fistulas (36 vesicovaginal, 2 vesicouterine, one ureterovaginal and 3urethrovaginal) were repaired from 1st December, 1999 to 31st May, 2002). All fistulas were repaired three months or more after formation. Transabdominal and vaginal repair of vesicovaginal fistulas was undertaken in 29 and 7 patients respectively. Two patients had trans-abdominal closure of vesicouterine fistulas. Ureteroneocystostomy with antireflux mechanism was performed for uretereovaginal fistula. For three urethrovaginal fistulas transvaginal layered repair was carried out.Results: Overall success rate for all types of fistula was 85.7% (36 pts).Conclusion: The surgical treatment of genitourinary fistulas will depend upon the type, size and location of fistula. Acceptable results can be achieved by adhering to the surgical principles of fistula repair i.e. optimal tissue conditions, adequate exposure and tension free closure.     

Iatrogenic injuries to ureter, bladder and urethra during abdominal and pelvic operations

Abdominal and pelvic operations at Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and General Surgery play an important role in ureteral, bladder and rarely urethral injuries. Fifty-nine patients with iatrogenic ureteral, bladder and urethral injuries were treated at the Department of Urology, Atatürk University Research Hospital, between 1985 and 1995. These injuries were urinary vaginal fistulas in 43 patients (vesicovaginal 33, ureterovaginal 7, urethrovaginal 2 and vesicovaginal plus urethrovaginal 1), ureteric ligation in 9, bladder laceration in 7. These injuries were treated by different methods. All patients were followed up by intravenous urography (IVU) and urine culture three months later. It must be borne in mind that iatrogenic urinary tract injuries are not rare. Bladder and ureteral catheterization must be performed to prevent these complications.     

Vesicovaginal fistula

Urinary fistula to the vagina has been described since the beginning of the written record. In developed nations, these fistulas are usually unfortunate complications of gynecologic or other pelvic surgery and radiotherapy. Historically, birth trauma accounted for most vesicovaginal fistulas, and it remains the major cause of urinary fistulas in many underdeveloped nations. Once a vesicovaginal fistula is suspected, a thorough vaginal examination should be performed to identify its size and location, especially in relation to the trigone and eliminate a ureterovaginal fistula which can be associated in up to 10% of cases. Numerous methods for the treatment of vesicovaginal fistulae have been described. Abdominal, and vaginal approaches are used for the repair of vesicovaginal fistulae. The approach selected is dependent on many factors, but is probably best determined by the experience and training of the surgeon. The techniques of the vaginal approach involve tension-free closure of the fistula with or without excision of the tract, creation of an anterior vaginal wall flap and appropriate use of vascularized interposition grafts. The abdominal approach may be used to treat all types of vesicovaginal fistulae and is the preferred approach when concomittant ureteral reimplantation is required. Postoperative care is similar for both vaginal and abdominal vesicovaginal fistula repair. Adequate uninterrupted bladder drainage is the most critical aspect of postoperative management. A voiding cystourethrogram is performed at 10 postoperative days to confirm closure of the fistula.     

Vesicovaginal and Ureterovaginal Fistulas: A Review of 39 Cases

The aim of this retrospective study was to present our experience in the treatment modalities of patients with vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal fistula. Between 1987 and 1997, 39 patients were diagnosed and operated on for vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal fistula. Of these patients, 31 had vesicovaginal, 7 had ureterovaginal and 1 had both vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal fistula. The ureterovaginal fistulas were repaired by simple ureteroneocystostomy with 100% success. Vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistulas were repaired transvaginally in 7 cases, transabdominally in 23 cases and endoscopically in two cases with 77% success at first attempt and 92% success with several attempts. The successful repair of urinary tract fistulas can be achieved in the majority of cases by adhering to the basic surgical principles. The optimum approach is that which works best in the surgeon's hands.     

Management of giant vesicovaginal and vesicourethrovaginal fistulas

We herein report on 15 patients with giant vesicovaginal (7) and vesicourethrovaginal (8) fistulas repaired since July 1979. All fistulas were repaired by a suprapubic approach with or without a concomitant vaginal approach. All 7 patients with giant vesicovaginal fistulas underwent a standard racket incision of the bladder with excision of the fistula, closure of the vagina and bladder, and an omental interposition, and were cured. Four patients with giant vesicourethrovaginal fistulas had a similar successful closure but only 2 were cured of the incontinence, while 2 remained totally incontinent owing to failure of the bladder outlet sphincteric mechanism. The latter 2 patients were managed by a Tanagho bladder flap urethral reconstruction: 1 remained totally incontinent and finally underwent diversion, while 1 was improved but not cured totally. Four patients were managed by repair of the fistula simultaneously with a Tanagho bladder flap: 2 had no previous abdominal repairs and both achieved continence postoperatively, while 2 had numerous attempts at repair (including abdominal approaches) before referral and only 1 was cured. Giant vesicovaginal fistulas can be repaired successfully in almost all patients. Although vesicourethrovaginal fistulas can be closed as readily there is a high likelihood of sphincteric inadequacy in patients with extensive urethral involvement. A bladder flap urethral reconstruction is valuable in these patients, particularly in the absence of prior suprapubic procedures.     

Vaginal repair of ureterovaginal fistula may be suitable for selected cases

Ureterovaginal fistula (UVF) is an uncommon but devastating complication of gynecologic surgery. Management includes ureteral stenting for 6–8 weeks. For stent failure, ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) through an open, laparoscopic, or robotic abdominal approach is the classic alternative. Originally pioneered for repair of vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF), the use of the vaginal approach in UVF is scarcely reported in the literature. We report the successful repair of UVF performed exclusively through the vaginal approach in two women after robotic hysterectomy. In select clinical scenarios, this approach may be applied, as it provides a minimally invasive option for managing UVF after failure of ureteral stenting.     

Urologic complications of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy

Introduction and hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra- and postoperative urologic complications and management in patients with cervical or endometrial cancer treated with laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 146 patients with cervical or endometrial cancer who underwent total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy between August 2002 and April 2011. The intra- and postoperative urologic complications were analyzed.

Results

Double ureteral stents were inserted prophylactically in 13 patients (8.9?%), 2 of whom had postoperative urologic complications. Nine patients (6.2?%) had postoperative urologic complications. Of four patients with ureterovaginal fistulas, two were treated conservatively with cystoscopic placement of ureteral stents and two underwent ureteroneocystostomies. Vesicovaginal fistulas occurred in two patients, both of whom underwent vesicovaginal fistula repairs. One patient noted to have a bladder injury intraoperatively had a laparoscopic repair, and one patient noted to have a ureteral injury postoperatively was treated conservatively with cystoscopic placement of ureteral stents.

Conclusions

Iatrogenic lower urinary tract injuries during laparoscopic radical hysterectomy are relatively common complications. Intraoperative prophylactic ureteral stent insertion and the early detection of urologic complications postoperatively is advised for patients who undergo laparoscopic radical hysterectomies.     

Early repair of injury to the ureter or bladder after hysterectomy

In the present study we investigated the effectiveness of early diagnosis, repair of injuries to the ureter and urinary bladder sustained during hysterectomy, as compared to the results of delayed intervention. There were 46 ureteral injuries and 20 vesicovaginal fistulas in 55 patients. In 14 cases of ureteral injury an endoscopic approach management was employed. There was complete healing in 18 vesicovaginal fistulas while there was a single case of a ureteral injury that required nephrectomy because of stenosis. This study shows that early repair of urological injuries after hysterectomy has considerable advantages and the results are equally comparable with those of delayed intervention. In most cases of ureteral injury an attempt of an endoscopic repair is warranted before proceeding to open surgery.     

Ten-year experience with transvaginal vesicovaginal fistula repair using tissue interposition

PURPOSE: The success rate of vesicovaginal fistula repair is improved by tissue interposition. The Martius flap produces reliable results but it has increased morbidity. A peritoneal flap is easily created with minimal morbidity and it can be used for proximal fistulas. We describe our 10-year experience with tissue interposition for transvaginal repair of vesicovaginal fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1991 to July 2001, 207 cases of vesicovaginal fistulas were repaired transvaginally. Tissue interposition was used for complex (greater than 2 cm. and/or radiation induced) fistulas and/or failed previous repairs. A peritoneal flap was used for proximal fistulas and a Martius flap was used for distal fistulas. A full-thickness labial flap was reserved for cases of insufficient vaginal epithelium. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients underwent transvaginal repair of a vesicovaginal fistula. Etiology of the fistula was hysterectomy in 91% of cases (abdominal in 83% and vaginal in 8%), radiation in 4% and 5% other (obstetric trauma, anterior colporrhaphy or an indwelling catheter) in 5%. In 159 patients (77%) at least 1 previous repair had failed. Repair in 120 patients (58%) was done with tissue interposition, including a peritoneal, Martius and full-thickness labial flap in 83, 34 and 3, respectively. The cure rate after initial repair with a peritoneal, Martius and labial flap was 96%, 97% and 33%, respectively. There were no intraoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: A peritoneal flap for transvaginal repair of vesicovaginal fistulas has minimal morbidity, results in a success rate comparable to that of the Martius flap and is especially useful for proximal fistulas when previous repair has failed.     

Iatrogenic bladder perforations: longterm followup of 65 patients

BACKGROUND: We reviewed our experience with bladder perforations to better understand the causes of these injuries and to describe their management and its effect on longterm outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Our bladder trauma database yielded 65 patients during a 12-year period, followed for a mean of 36 months, who had sustained iatrogenic bladder perforations. Endourologic procedures were excluded. Demographic data, surgical details, mechanism of injury, anatomic location, grading, diagnosis, management, and outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Gynecologic procedures accounted for 40 perforations (61.5%), general surgical procedures for 17 (26.2%), and urologic procedures for 8 (12.3%). The type of gynecologic surgery included abdominal hysterectomy in 16 (40%), resection of a pelvic mass in 12 (30%), cesarean section in 10 (25%), and diagnostic laparoscopy in 2 (5%). Of the general surgical procedures, eight were for colon cancer (47.1%), six for diverticulitis (35.3%), and three for inflammatory bowel disease (17.6%); of the urologic injuries, six occurred during vaginal surgery and two during laparoscopy. Predisposing factors were identified in 52 patients (80%). Intraoperative urologic consultation was obtained in 63 of 65 patients, with prompt identification and repair. In two cases a concurrent left ureteral injury was identified and managed by reimplantation. The sole complication was a vesicovaginal fistula 2 months postoperatively, so the success rate for repair was 98.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Although infrequent, iatrogenic bladder perforations can occur during any pelvic, abdominal, or vaginal procedure. Prompt intraoperative recognition is paramount to ensure satisfactory outcomes. Adequate repair usually can be achieved simply by vesicorrhaphy, limiting unnecessary extravesical dissection. With this approach, morbidity can be minimized.     

Transurethral resection of the prostate among medicare beneficiaries: 1984 to 1997. For the Patient Outcomes Research Team for Prostatic Diseases

PURPOSE: Urethrovaginal fistulas are commonly repaired transvaginally with local tissue flaps, such as the Martius labial fat pad graft. Although this flap is ideal, if it fails and the fistula persists, subsequent treatment options are limited. We describe the use of a pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap for the repair of complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six women with a mean age of 53 years (range 41 to 62) who had complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas were referred to our continence center. Mean number of prior attempted repairs was 1.3 and in all cases at least 1 Martius flap had failed. Transvaginal urethrovaginal fistula closure was performed followed by a pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap interposed between the fistula closure and vaginal suture line. The muscle flap was based on the inferior epigastric vessels, and provided additional support to the urethra, bladder neck and bladder base. RESULTS: Urethrovaginal fistula repair with the rectus abdominis muscle flap was successful in all cases. No fistula recurred. Of the patients 5 (83%) were continent and able to void to completion at a mean followup of 23 months (range 2 to 66). CONCLUSIONS: The rectus abdominis muscle flap is a useful adjunct in the repair of complex and refractory urethrovaginal fistulas. It can be used with confidence to provide support to the bladder neck and proximal urethra in patients after failed prior repair with the Martius flap procedure. The pelvic surgeon may be able to recognize other applications for the rectus abdominis muscle flap in pelvic floor reconstruction.     

Delayed presentation and successful repair of a recurrent vesicovaginal fistula after hysterectomy and primary abdominal repair

Urogenital fistulae are an uncommon consequence of gynecologic surgery. Vesicovaginal fistulae due to gynecologic surgery generally appear 1–6 weeks after surgery and recurrent fistulae within 3 months of their repair. The pathogenesis of vesicovaginal fistula formation remains unclear. We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with a spontaneously recurring vesicovaginal fistula 21 months after abdominal repair of a vesicovaginal fistula caused by a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. During the repair of the fistula and excision of the vaginal cuff, two small fluid-filled cysts between the bladder mucosa and the vaginal epithelium were encountered. Vesicovaginal fistulae can occur spontaneously and remote from surgery. The finding of small fluid-filled cysts in the cuff suggests that rupture of a similar cyst may have led to the formation of the fistula. Abbreviations LAVH Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy     

Fibrin sealant for the management of genitourinary injuries,fistulas and surgical complications

PURPOSE: We report our preliminary experience with the use of fibrin sealant to manage iatrogenic urinary tract injuries, complex urinary fistulas, and urological surgical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Topical fibrin sealant was used in 19 patients for iatrogenic urinary tract injury during gynecological or general surgical procedures (7), complex urinary fistulas (5) or urological surgical complications (7). RESULTS: Successful resolution of the injury, fistula or complication was attained after a single application of fibrin sealant in the 18 patients (94.7%) in whom a direct injection technique was used. The only failure (formation of a vesicovaginal fistula) occurred with the air driven sprayed sealant delivery technique after sutured closure of iatrogenic cystotomy during vaginal hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Liquid fibrin sealant appears to be safe and prudent for use in urological "damage control" from trauma, fistulas or surgical complications. Direct injection over a sutured urinary anastomosis appears to be highly effective in preventing urinary drainage. Additional study is needed to define further the role and best use of tissue adhesives in urology.     

Early Versus Late Repair of Vesicovaginal Fistulas: Vaginal and Abdominal Approaches

We reviewed retrospectively 24 consecutive women who presented with a vesicovaginal fistula repaired by a single surgeon between 1989 and 1993. All patients underwent preoperative investigation, including cystoscopy, excretory urography and bilateral retrograde pyelography. Followup ranged from 6 months to 5 years. Postoperatively, 96 percent of the women were cured. Two patients had persistent symptomatic detrusor instability and 1 had mild stress incontinence. In 1 woman a vaginal repair failed and she was subsequently cured after an abdominal repair. Five patients presented 6 to 12 months after fistula formation. Among the other 17 patients the average interval from pelvic surgery to vesicovaginal fistula repair was 10.8 weeks. Indications for abdominal repair were indurated vaginal epithelium approximately 2 cm. in circumference around the fistula, a vault fistula with poor vaginal exposure and fistulas involving the ureters. Surgical timing and route of repair are best tailored to the individual patient.     

Role of the martius procedure in the management of urinary-vaginal fistulas

BACKGROUND: Urinary-vaginal fistula is one of the most common and dreaded complications of obstetric trauma in developing countries. Management of these fistulas is complicated by the presence of substantial urethral loss and the tendency of the repair to break down. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively studied 46 patients with urinary-vaginal fistulas operated on in our institution over 5 years. Most of the patients had obstetric trauma as the causative factor. Twelve patients had urethrovaginal and 34 had vesicovaginal fistulas. Of the 12 patients with urethrovaginal fistulas, 8 underwent a Martius procedure and 4 were treated with simple anatomic repair. Of the 34 patients with vesicovaginal fistulas, 13 underwent a Martius procedure and 21 were treated with anatomic repair. Nineteen patients had recurrent fistulas and 17 had multiple fistulas. RESULTS: Only one patient with a urethrovaginal fistula treated with a Martius procedure had recurrence, compared with three of four of the patients having anatomic repair. None of the patients with vesicovaginal fistulas treated with a Martius flap had recurrence, compared with 4 of 21 in the anatomic-repair group (19.05%). Thirteen patients with single fistulas (7 urethrovaginal and 6 vesicovaginal) treated with a Martius procedure healed well without failure, compared with 1 failure among 16 fistulas (1 urethrovaginal and 15 vesicovaginal) in the anatomic-repair group. In the group of patients with multiple fistulas, the Martius flap also showed a definite advantage. Eight patients with multiple fistulas were offered the Martius flap. The procedures were successful in all but one, compared with six failures out of nine treated with anatomic repair. None of the patients having primary treatment with the Martius flap had postoperative recurrence, compared with 3 of 18 having anatomic repair (16.67%). Only 1 of 12 patients with recurrent fistulas undergoing Martius flap repair had failure (8.33%), compared with 4 of 7 undergoing anatomic repair (57.14%). None of the patients treated with the Martius procedure experienced dyspareunia postoperatively, compared with 33.33% of the patients treated with anatomic repair. CONCLUSIONS: The overall success rate was far better and the complication rate (especially incontinence and dyspareunia) was considerably less with the Martius procedure. We recommend the Martius procedure for urethrovaginal and vesicovaginal fistulas, especially those that are recurrent or multiple.     

Ball repair of vesicovaginal fistula

Eighteen patients with vesicovaginal fistula (15 fistulas resulted from vaginal and 3 from abdominal hysterectomy) were all successfully treated using the ball counter-pressure technique.     

Our experience with salvage genitourinary fistulae repair: technique and outcomes

Objectives The objectives are to present the long-term results of vaginal reconstructive operations using the labial fat pad flap (Martius flap) interposition. Patients and methods Eight women, 27–65 years old (mean 40), suffering from urinary fistulae (five urethrovaginal and three vesicovaginal) who failed primary repair underwent salvage vaginal reconstruction for damaged urethra or bladder. Urethral or bladder and vaginal defect was closed and a Martius fat flap was interposed between urethra or bladder and vaginal wall flap to secure a watertight separation of the structures. A Martius flap was also used successfully for salvage vaginal reconstruction in three more women, two with extensive injury of their urethra and bladder neck and one with vaginal leakage, after a rectosigmoid neobladder diversion following cystectomy. Results The repair was successful in all eight patients with urinary fistulae and in the one with rectovaginal leakage. The patient with the traumatically injured urethra and bladder neck developed an anastomotic stricture treated with urethral dilatations and internal urethrotomy. The older one developed a vesicovaginal fistula due to bladder neck closure, and this was repaired with a second transvaginal closure. Conclusion Martius labial fat flap is an easy to prepare, well-vascularized tissue that can be most helpful in achieving a long-lasting favorable outcome in vaginal reconstructive surgery.     

女性尿路生殖道瘘诊疗分析(附27例报告)

目的:总结女性尿路生殖道瘘临床诊疗经验,探讨复杂性女性尿路生殖道瘘的治疗方法。方法:本组27例,年龄16~56岁,平均41.2岁。其中膀胱阴道瘘9例,输尿管阴道瘘15例,输尿管子宫瘘1例,尿道阴道瘘2例。妇科盆腔手术所致23例,会阴部或盆腔外伤所致3例,放疗所致1例。9例膀胱阴道瘘中,3例行耻骨上经膀胱修补,2例经阴道修补,3例复杂性瘘经腹修补并移植带蒂大网膜,1例放疗后复杂性瘘行输尿管皮肤造口术。15例输尿管阴道瘘中,6例行输尿管镜下输尿管双J管留置术,9例行输尿管膀胱再植术。1例输尿管子宫瘘行耻骨上辅助经脐单孔腹腔镜(SA-LESS)输尿管膀胱再植术。2例尿道阴道瘘均经阴道行修补术,其中1例采用改进三层错位缝合术修补。结果:24例一次治愈,成功率为88.89%(24/27);3例二次手术治愈。平均手术时间75(45~135)min,平均术中出血量60(15~150)ml。术后随访4个月~13年,27例患者均未再出现漏尿,无尿失禁、尿道及阴道狭窄,无继发性肾功能损害。结论:女性尿路生殖道瘘修补手术方法因人因病而定。术前充分准备,选择恰当的手术修补时机、正确的手术修补途径、术中精细操作是提高尿路生殖道瘘手术成功的关键。对复杂性尿瘘,可采用改进三层错位缝合术、辅助带蒂瓣片或网膜技术修补瘘口,促进愈合。     

经腹径路手术治疗膀胱阴道瘘的临床分析

目的:探讨经腹径路手术治疗膀胱阴道瘘的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析14例女性膀胱阴道瘘患者资料。患者平均年龄41.36岁。临床表现不同程度阴道漏尿,或伴血尿及膀胱刺激症状。膀胱镜检、膀胱尿道造影及CT三维重建术前确诊。先后行经腹径路膀胱阴道瘘修复手术,其中采取经膀胱径路9例,膀胱外径路5例。结果:14例术后随访9～103个月,平均46.26个月。2例术后出现再次膀胱阴道瘘,行二次修补手术后未再复发,1例出现切口感染,经对症处理后愈合,其余患者均未出现尿瘘复发及其他严重并发症。结论:经腹径路手术治疗膀胱阴道瘘,术中视野暴露充分,易于获取带蒂支持组织,尤其对于复杂性膀胱阴道瘘及合并输尿管等组织损伤可疑患者,是一种可行的手术治疗方式。