Repair of vesicovaginal fistula by the transabdominal route: outcome at a north Indian tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study is to present the outcome of management of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) by the transabdominal route.

METHODS

Between January 2001 and December 2010, 48 patients suffering from VVF were managed through the transabdominal route.

RESULTS

The success rate following first repair was 87.5%. Patients who failed the first repair (n = 6) were managed again by the transabdominal route (second attempt). Two of these patients were cured, while another patient was cured after prolonged catheter drainage. One patient was managed by ureterosigmoidostomy (Mainz II) pouch but died after 6 months. The remaining two patients refused further treatment and were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Transabdominal repair of VVF in properly selected patients results in satisfactory treatment outcome.