[Vesico-uterine fistulae. Report of 5 cases]

The authors report 5 cases of uterovesical fistula (UVF) and analyse some of the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this disease. The mean age of these 5 patients was 31.2 +/- 6.9 years. The trauma responsible for the fistula was caesarean section in every case. The presenting complaints were dominated by cyclic haematuria (n = 5). Intravenous urography did not contribute to the diagnosis, while hysterosalpingography demonstrated the UVF in 3 out of 4 cases. Treatment was surgical for all patients and consisted of closure of the fistula in 3 cases and hysterectomy in 2 cases. With a mean follow-up of 2 +/- 1.2 years, no pregnancies were reported in the 3 patients treated by closure of the fistula. On the other hand, the urinary results were satisfactory with good continence and resolution of the cyclic haematuria. The authors emphasize the importance of prevention of UVF by well conducted caesarean section.