Management of vesicovaginal fistulas after gynecologic surgery

Vesico-Vaginal Fistula in Females in 2010-2020: a Systemic Review and Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

In the Western world today, urogenital fistula, including vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), is rare. However, while it remains significant in developing parts of the world due to prolonged and obstructed labor, in this study, we systematically reviewed the existing literature, discussing VVF occurrence, its etiology, and outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used electronic databases to search relevant articles from 2010-2020. The screening was performed with the help of Covidence. Relevant data from included studies were extracted in excel sheets, and final analysis was done using CMA-3 using proportion with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Fifteen studies reported the VVF among the fistula series. The pooled result showed 76.57% cases of VVF (CI, 65.42-84.96), out of which 27.54% were trigonal, 55.70% supra-trigonal, and the rest with a varied description like circumferential, juxta-cervical, juxta-urethral. Obstetric etiology was commonly reported with 19.29% (CI, 13.26-27.21) with cesarean section and 31.14% (CI, 18.23-47.86) with obstructed labor. Hysterectomy was the commonly reported etiology among gynecological etiology (46.52%, CI; 36.17-57.19). Among different surgical treatments employed for fistula closure, 49.50% were by abdominal approach (CI, 37.23-61.82), and 42.31% by vaginal approach (CI, 31.82-53.54). Successful closure of fistula was reported in 87.09% of the surgeries (CI, 84.39-89.38).

CONCLUSION

The vesicovaginal fistula is the most common type of genitourinary fistula. Major causes of fistula are gynecological surgery, obstructed labor, and cesarean section. The vaginal approach and abdominal are common modalities of repair of fistula with favorable outcomes in the majority of the patients.

Single-port laparoscopy-assisted vaginal repair of a cesarean scar defect: a single-center retrospective study

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Background:

The incidence of uterine cesarean scar defect (niche) is high, and some patients require surgery. Single-port laparoscopy can reduce post-operative pain, and provide better cosmetic effects. This study was performed to evaluate the safety and superiority of single-port laparoscopy-assisted vaginal repair of uterine cesarean scar defect (niche) in women after cesarean section.

Methods:

This study included 74 patients who were diagnosed with uterine cesarean niche at the Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital from January 2013 to June 2015. Thirty-seven patients underwent single-port laparoscopy-assisted vaginal surgery as the case group, and the remaining patients underwent vaginal repair surgery as the control group. We collected data from the inpatient and follow-up medical records. The clinical characteristics of these two groups were compared. The odds ratios and 95% confidential intervals were calculated for each variable by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:

Patients who underwent single-port laparoscopy-assisted vaginal repair had a significantly longer operation time (2.3 [2.0–2.7] vs. 2.0 [1.6–2.3] h, P = 0.015), shorter gas passage time (1.2 [1.0–1.5] vs. 1.7 [1.0–2.0] days, P = 0.012), shorter hospital stay (3.1 [3.0–4.0] vs. 4.5 [4.0–6.0] days, P = 0.019), and fewer complications (0 vs. 4 cases). Univariate analysis showed that depth of the niche (P = 0.021) the mild adhesiolysis score (P = 0.035) and moderate adhesiolysis score (P = 0.013) were associated with the bladder injury. Multivariate analysis showed that the moderate adhesiolysis score (P = 0.029; 95% confidence interval, 1.318–3.526) was the strongest independent predictor of bladder injury.

Conclusion:

This study confirmed the safety and superiority of single-port laparoscopy-assisted vaginal repair of uterine cesarean scars.

Vaginal repair of nonradiogenic urogenital fistulas

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

In developed countries urogenital fistulas are rare and usually a complication of surgery or radiation therapy. Surgical repair can be accomplished transvaginally or by laparotomy, laparoscopy, robotic-assisted laparoscopy, or transurethral endoscopy. Closure can be achieved with or without tissue interposition. The vaginal approach is the least invasive and a variety of techniques with or without tissue interpositions and flaps have been described. This study reviews surgical approaches and techniques for the repair of nonradiogenic urogenital fistulas.

METHODS

We identified and reviewed records from all patients treated for urogenital fistulas at our unit between 2008 and 2018. We analyzed fistula location, etiology, type and duration of corrective surgery, length of hospitalization, as well as complication and success rates.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (mean age 52 years) were identified. 49 fistulas were related to previous gynecological surgery, 3 were related to obstetric trauma. Thirty-four patients had vesicovaginal, 11 urethrovaginal, 3 ureterovaginal, and 2 neobladder-vaginal fistulas. Forty-eight patients (96%) were operated on using a vaginal approach; a modified Sims-Simon repair was used in 47 cases (94%). No flaps or tissue interpositions were used. In 48 patients (96%) successful closure was achieved with one operation; the modified Sims-Simon technique was successful in all 47 cases. The median operation time was 40 min (range, 20-100 min); the complication rate was 14%.

CONCLUSIONS

This series demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of vaginal repair of benign gynecological fistulas. The success rate was high and extensive procedures were avoided.

Vesicovaginal fistula in a dog with urinary incontinence

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 5-year-old spayed female Maltese mixed-breed dog was referred for evaluation because of severe urinary incontinence refractory to medical management.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Physical examination revealed constant dribbling of urine and urine scalding. Culture of a urine sample yielded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Proteus mirabilis. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination revealed absence of the left kidney, a small, nondistended urinary bladder, and diffuse hepatopathy. Urinary incontinence persisted despite appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Cystourethroscopy and vaginoscopy were subsequently performed and revealed a hypoplastic bladder and a vesicovaginal fistula with urinary leakage through the vaginal diverticulum; no left ureterovesicular junction was identified, consistent with suspected left renal aplasia.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Exploratory laparotomy was performed, and the cranial aspect of the vagina was circumferentially ligated immediately caudal to the fistula. The urinary incontinence resolved immediately after surgery, and lower urinary tract signs improved over the next 2 weeks. Moderate urinary incontinence recurred approximately 6 months later, and a urinary tract infection with Escherichia coli was subsequently identified and treated; clinical signs resolved ≤ 48 hours after treatment was initiated.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

To the author's knowledge, vesicovaginal fistulas in dogs have not been previously described and should be considered a differential diagnosis for persistent urinary incontinence and recurrent urinary tract infections in female dogs. Vaginoscopy in addition to cystourethroscopy was required to identify the abnormality in this patient. Because multiple concurrent anomalies can be present, both procedures should be performed in female dogs with these clinical signs, even if an abnormality is identified cystoscopically.

Controversies in the management of vesicovaginal fistula

Achieving 100% closure and continence rate in the management of vesicovaginal fistulas remains a challenge. There is still debate about several aspects of the care including the following.