Use of endoscopy in the management of postoperative ureterovaginal fistula

The aim of the study was to evaluate endourological techniques in the management of iatrogenic ureterovaginal fistula. Seventeen patients referred to us after gynecologic surgery were diagnosed as having iatrogenic ureterovaginal fistula. First, retrograde double-J stenting was tried. If this failed, percutaneous nephrostomy using an antegrade double-J stent was performed. If this also failed, open surgical repair was performed. The retrograde double-J stent bypassed the fistula in 2 patients (11.8%). Percutaneous nephrostomy was performed in the remaining 15. The antegrade double-J stent bypassed the fistula in another 2 of these patients (11.8%). Open surgical repair was performed in the remaining 13 patients (67.5%) (direct ureteroneocystostomy) with nipple valve in 11 patients and Boari flap with psoas hitch in 2 patients). Of all patients, 2 had ureteral stricture, one after antegrade double-J stenting and the other after open repair. It was concluded that early intervention is recommended in the treatment of iatrogenic uretrovaginal fistula, causing minimal morbidity and discomfort, and being less expensive.

A new technique for treatment of simple post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence: preliminary experience

PURPOSE

Because of the complexity of reconstructive surgical techniques, the high failure rate and cost of the devices used, as well as the associated mechanical malfunctions there is need for an alternative operation to treat post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. We present a new procedure along with promising results in cases of simple post-prostatectomy incontinence after transurethral resection of the prostate or open prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The principles of our technique include lysis of the pelvic urethra with preservation of the neurovascular bundle, as well as suspension of the prostatic capsule to the anterior abdominal wall. With this technique we corrected post-prostatectomy sphincteric incompetence in 21 patients. Preoperative evaluation included physical examination, excretory urography, ascending urethrocystography and urethrocystoscopy. Urodynamic investigations included uroflowmetry, cystometrography and urethral pressure profilometry. The patients were reevaluated radiologically and urodynamically 3 months postoperatively. Mean followup was 19 months.

RESULTS

All patients tolerated the procedure well. Few intraoperative and postoperative complications were encountered. The success rate was 81% and these 17 patients became continent day and night.

CONCLUSIONS

Our procedure combines the continence enhancing features of pelvic urethral elongation, urethral suspension, angulation of the prostatomembranous junction and prostatic fixation. The preliminary success rate of this technique is encouraging. However, larger numbers of patients and long-term followup are needed to confirm our findings.