[Occlusion of a vesicovaginal fistula with Latzko-repair]

The Latzko procedure is a well-known method for the closure of small vesico-vaginal fistulas occurring in the vaginal dome after hysterectomy. This method is favoured by gynaecologists. In three Departments of gynaecology, a total of 104 patients were treated. 76% had been referred from other hospitals. 56.7% resulted from gynaecological operations. In 69.2% was a benign and in 28.8% a malignant disease. In only 2 cases, the primary disease remained unknown.

In 97 of 104 (= 93.3%) cases, the procedure according to Latzko succeeded at the first attempt. 5 of 7 recurrences were resolved by the second attempt with the same operative technique according to Latzko, signifying a secondary success rate of 98%. There were only 2 notable complications: the one, where a postoperative bladder haemorrhage attributed to anticoagulants, and the second with a bladder stone noticed 11 years after the Latzko procedure. This technique can be performed in 95% of all vesico-vaginal fistulas occurring. The fundamental advantages of its use are: short duration of the procedure, high cure rate and few complications.