Vesico-vaginal fistula: A clinical study

Abstract

In a retrospective study, the records of 34 women with a mean ± SD age of the patients was 36.62 ± 9.02 years were assessed; 32.35% of the vesico-vaginal Fistula (VVF) occurred after abdominal hysterectomy, 11.77% after Caesarean section, 32.35% after difficult vaginal delivery and 23.53% after instrumental delivery. Six women (17.64%) had a previous failed repair. The duration (mean ± SD) of the VVF was 5.68 ± 1.59 months. Of the 34 VVF patients, 20 (58.82%) were Mid-Vaginal VVF, 8 (23.53%) were Circumferential VVF, 3 (8.82%) were Juxta cervical VVF and 3 (8.82%) were Juxta Urethral VVF. An abdominal approach was used in 21 cases (61.76%), vaginal repair was contemplated in 8 (23.53%) cases and Laparoscopic in 5 (14.71%). At a mean duration of follow-up was 33.06 ± 1.72 months and the VVF was cured in 28 (82.4%) patients. Only previous intervention and timing of surgery (P=0.004) and surgical approach (P=0.02) maintained significance in our study. An abdominal/ Laparoscopic approach seems to give superior results. Previous failed repair had a significant negative effect on success. A late repair (≥6 months) is associated with higher success rates.

Keywords

• Fistula
• Hysterectomy
• Iatrogenic
• Obstructive labour
• Vesico-vaginal