Experience with the immediate treatment of iatrogenic bladder injuries and the repair of complex vesico-vaginal fistulae by the transvesical approach.

We describe our experience in treating 16 established cases of vesicovaginal fistulae in non-irradiated bladders which followed obstetric and gynecological procedures. The fistulae, most of which were large and complex, were successfully repaired surgically after two to three months intervals, using the O'Connor transvesical technique. The advantages of late correction using the transvesical approach in such cases are discussed. Thirteen additional cases of accidental bladder injuries during obstetric and gynecological procedures are presented. These injuries were successfully treated by immediate primary sutures. Our experience shows that bladder injuries mainly occur in women who had previously had a Cesarean section.