Limited experience in early management of genitourinary tract fistulas

Abstract

Introduction: Genitourinary tract fistulas commonly occur as a complication of gynecologic operations. Vesicovaginal, ureterovaginal, and uterovesical fistulas are the most common fistulas occurring after these operations. In this study, we report the results of early repair of genitourinary fistulas using a retropubic, extraperitoneal, transvesical approach.

Technical considerations: In our study, 20 women with a genitourinary tract fistula (12 with vesicovaginal, 6 with ureterovaginal, and 2 with uterovesical fistulas) were diagnosed and treated within 2 weeks after a gynecologic operation.

Results: All patients reported a high quality of life postoperatively. None of the patients had urinary leakage after their fistula repair. Urinary urgency occurred after surgery in 7 patients. No urinary tract infections were reported. Follow-up of the patients showed no incidence of ureteral stricture and preservation of upper urinary tract function.

Conclusions: The results of our study have shown that early repair of genitourinary tract fistulas results in a high quality of life, few postoperative complications, and a high success rate and preservation of renal function.