Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair: A Single-Centre Experience

The aim of the study was to evaluate the demographic profile and outcome of surgical repair in patients with a vesicovaginal fistula. Between June 2010 and March 2017, 46 patients of Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) underwent surgical repair of the fistula. Patients with a previous unsuccessful repair were also included; however patients with associated or isolated urethrovaginal fistulas were not included in the study. The etiological, clinical, and surgical treatment data of these patients was analyzed. The age of the patients ranged between 26 and 55 years (mean 37 years) with parity varying from 1-7 (mean 4). The most common cause of VVF was total abdominal hysterectomy followed by caesarean section. The location of majority (69.57 %) of the fistulas was supra-trigonal. In about two third of the patients (65.22 %) repair was performed through transabdominal transvesical route. Success rate of surgery in the study was 86.96 %. Vesicovaginal fistula is an extremely distressing condition for the patient and an equally challenging problem for the surgeon. The success rate of repair is reasonably good in experienced hands; however the focus and effort should be more towards prevention of fistula formation.