[Double autoplasty of the labium majus in the surgical repair of vesico-recto-vaginal fistula of obstetric origin. Apropos of 17 cases]

Abstract

Ten-year experience in Africa with post-delivery fistula therapy, including 39 cases of combined recto-vaginal lesions and 13 cases of laceration of perineum, prompted the author to describe a technique for surgical repair of vesico-rectovaginal fistulas. Inspired from Martius' graft of already proven efficacy in the treatment of complicated vesico-vaginal fistulas, the author used the same procedure on all complex cases of combined recto-vaginal fistulas, i.e., autoplasty of the labium majus. This operation carried out intravaginally consists in utilizing a flap of fatty tissue--either a split graft or one taken separately from each labium majus, placed in contact with the suture lines of the vesical and rectal walls. This dual autoplasty performed optimally in a single step, may however also be carried out separately whenever necessary. Over a period of 4 years (1985-1989), 17 female patients were operated on using this procedure. Treatment of both fistulas, vesico- and recto-vaginal, could be achieved in 11 cases during the same operation, and in 9 cases this involved using a single split graft. 14 women recovered, including 3 who had repeated surgery (2 bladder-derived Martius grafts and one dual autoplasty). The 3 failure cases all had repeated surgery and presented quite important lesions and tissue damage. Failure was considered final in two cases and partial in one case (residual orthostatic urinary incontinence). Dual autoplasty of the labium majus has provided cure to 14 out of 17 surgical patients in one or two operations, that is, 82% of cases, which is an excellent score considering the special difficulty of treatment encountered.