Buccal mucosal graft interposition in the treatment of recurrent vesicovaginal fistula: A report on two cases

Buccal Mucosal Grafts as a Novel Treatment for the Repair of Rectovaginal Fistulas: Protocol for an Upcoming Prospective Single-Surgeon Case Series

Background

Rectovaginal fistulas (RVFs) are abnormal communications between the rectum/anus and the vagina. They are most frequently formed a result of obstetric injury and have deleterious effects on patients’ quality of life. Despite several treatment modalities, RVFs remain difficult problems to manage, and many patients fail multiple attempts at surgical repair. Buccal mucosal grafts (BMGs) may be a solution to this problem. A BMG is an oral mucosal tissue harvested from the inner cheek. There are 2 case reports that describe the successful use of BMGs in the repair of RVFs.

Objective

Our objective is to validate these findings with a prospective case series while also addressing the key issues of indication, technical details, procedure safety, and short-term outcomes.

Methods

A prospective single-surgeon case series will be undertaken at a university-affiliated academic tertiary care hospital in Calgary, Alberta (Canada). The estimated recruitment is between 3 and 5 patients. Patients will undergo surgical repair of their RVFs with an autologous BMG. Data on patient characteristics, fistula characteristics, and surgical variables will be collected and analyzed prospectively. The primary outcome is fistula closure. This study has been approved by the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board at the University of Calgary (REB20-1123).

Results

Two previous case reports have described the successful use of BMGs in the repair of RVFs. We have received ethics approval to attempt to validate these findings through a prospective case series.

Conclusions

RVFs cause significant patient morbidity and are difficult problems to manage. Bolstered by the successful use of BMGs in urologic surgery and the previously published case reports demonstrating success in RVFs, we believe that BMGs may be a solution to RVFs.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/31003

Best Practices in Robotic-assisted Repair of Vesicovaginal Fistula: A Consensus Report from the European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section Scientific Working Group for Reconstructive Urology

CONTEXT

Surgical repair of a vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) has been described extensively in the literature for several decades. Advances in robotic repair have been adopted since 2005.

OBJECTIVE

A consensus review of existing data based on published case series, expert opinion, and a survey monkey.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

This document summarizes the consensus group meeting and survey monkey results convened by the European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) relating to the robotic management of VVF.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Current data underline the successful robotic repair of supratrigonal nonobstetric VVF. The panel recommends preoperative marking of the fistula by a guidewire or ureteral catheter, and placement of a protective ureteral JJ stent. An extravesical robotic approach usually provides a good anatomic view for adequate and wide dissection of the vesicovaginal space, as well as bladder and vaginal mobilization. Careful sharp dissection of fistula edges should be performed. Tension-free closure of the bladder is of utmost importance. Tissue interposition seems to be beneficial. The success rate of published series often reaches near 100%. An indwelling bladder catheter should be placed for about 10 d postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

When considering robotic repair for VVF, it is essential to establish the size, number, location, and etiology of the VVF. Robotic assistance facilitates dissection of the vesicovaginal space, harvesting of a well-vascularized tissue flap, and a tension-free closure of the bladder with low morbidity for the patient being operated in the deep pelvis with delicate anatomical structures.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Robotic repair of a vesicovaginal fistula can be applied safely with an excellent success rate and very low morbidity. This confirms the use of robotic surgery for vesicovaginal fistula repair, which is recommended in a consensus by the European Association of Urology Robotic Section Scientific Working Group for reconstructive urology.

State of the Art for Treatment of Vesicovaginal Fistula

BACKGROUND

Vesico-vaginal fistulae (VVF) remain the most prevalent genitourinary fistula detrimentally impacting quality of life.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to examine relevant literature on management of VVF.

RECENT FINDINGS

Obstructed labor is the leading cause of VVF in the developing world with most repairs performed via the transvaginal approach. Conversely, the predominate etiology in industrialized nations is iatrogenic injury with an increasing trend towards abdominal repair via a minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) approach. No studies have compared transvaginal repair to minimally invasive transabdominal approaches. Further, an increasing number of authors have developed algorithms to determine optimum surgical approaches and risk factors for persistent incontinence. As surgeons become more facile with laparoscopic and robotic skills, there is a growing trend for minimally invasive surgical management of VVF in developed countries, perhaps widening the disparity gap between developing nations where transvaginal approaches predominate with good success. Further studies are needed to compare transvaginal to minimally invasive transabdominal approaches.