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. 2023 Jun 9;15(6):e40198.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.40198. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Two Decadal Experiences in Managing Combined Obstetric Vesicovaginal and Rectovaginal Fistulas: A Study From Northern Indian Tertiary Hospital

Vishwajeet Singh  1 , Mohit Pandey  2 , Jitender Yadav  1 , Mohammad Rehan Akhtar  1 , Mukul K Singh  1
Affiliations

Two Decadal Experiences in Managing Combined Obstetric Vesicovaginal and Rectovaginal Fistulas: A Study From Northern Indian Tertiary Hospital

Vishwajeet Singh et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction: A retrospective study of 28 patients with obstetric combined vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and rectovaginal fistula (RVF) treated at our centre throughout the last two decades (2002 to 2022) has been conducted.

Material and method: In 12 patients, a preoperative diverting colostomy was performed. Six patients had single-stage surgery (both VVF and RVF repair in the same operation) of which two cases required transabdominal repair and four required transvaginal repair.

Result: All single-stage repairs (n=6) were successful in curing urine and faecal incontinence. In 22 patients, VVF was corrected initially via the transvaginal method with Martius flap interposition, followed by RVF repair three months later. In 2/22 patients, there was a leak after RVF repair; therefore, proximal diverting colostomy was performed, and RVF repair was repeated after six months.

Conclusion: All cases had effective VVF and RVF repairs, and both urine and faecal incontinence were completely cured. This study suggests the collaborative engagement of a urologist and a surgical gastroenterologist results in an advantageous outcome for the surgical treatment of these intricate obstetric fistulas.

Keywords: martius flap; necrosis; obstetric; rectovaginal fistula; vesicovaginal fistula.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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