Cyanoacrylic glue: a minimally invasive nonsurgical first line approach for the treatment of some urinary fistulas

Abstract

Purpose: We evaluated the adaptability and the efficacy of a cyanoacrylic glue for the conservative treatment of urinary fistulas of different etiologies using an endoscopic, percutaneous or endovaginal approach.

Materials and methods: From May 1998 to July 2004, 13 patients with long lasting iatrogenic and/or inflammatory urinary fistulas were treated conservatively with endoscopic, percutaneous or endovaginal application of 1 to 3 cc of cyanoacrylic glue.

Results: The complication rate in this cohort of 13 patients was low. Occlusion therapy failed in 2 genitourinary fistulas which were wider (diameter greater than 1 cm) and short. In the remaining 11 cases urinary fistulas were successfully sealed and at a median followup of 35 months no relapses were observed.

Conclusions: Cyanoacrylic glue is suitable for endoscopic, percutaneous and endovaginal use. This occlusion therapy represents a safe and minimally invasive approach that might be offered as a first line option for the treatment of urinary fistulas, especially narrow and long tract fistulas.