Salvage repair of vesicovaginal fistula.

PURPOSE: To present the long-term results of failed vesicovaginal fistula repair using flap splitting techniques.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Nine women with a previous failed vesicovaginal fistula repair, aged 18 to 69 years, underwent salvage vaginal reconstruction for damaged urethra or bladder, at a five-year interval lasting from 2003 to 2007. Fistulas were repaired using an interposed pediculated vaginal wall flap.

RESULTS

The repair was successful in all the patients, even in those with rectovesicovaginal fistula or a large vesicovaginal fistula with sphincter damage.

CONCLUSION

Pediculated vaginal wall flap is an easily-prepared, well-vascularized tissue, which provides long-term favorable outcomes.