Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula

In developed countries, the majority of vesicovaginal fistulas develop after gynaecologic surgery, with abdominal hysterectomy accounting for 90% of cases. Several techniques are available for repairing the fistulas. Abdominal approaches give good results even for difficult posterior located fistulas, but are associated with increased morbidity compared with the transvaginal approach. We performed a laparoscopic repair to minimize the surgical morbidity of the transabdominal approach.

A 44-year-old female presented with vesicovaginal fistula after abdominal hysterectomy. After a failed trial of conservative treatment with catheter drainage, a transperitoneal laparoscopic repair was performed. Cystoscopy was performed intially to confirm the fistula location and for bilateral ureteric catheterization. A 4-port technique was performed with the patient in the Trendelenburg position with her legs in lithotomy position. Without opening the bladder, the fistula tract was excised with separation of the bladder from the anterior vagina wall. Both the bladder and vagina walls were then closed separately using intracorporeal suturing with an interpositional omentum.

The operation was uncomplicated. Total operative time was 260 min. Normal diet was resumed on day 1 and patient was discharged on the same day with an indwelling catheter. A cystogram performed 3 weeks post surgery showed resolution of the fistula.

Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula without opening the bladder and using intracorporeal suturing and omentum interpositioning is feasible in selected patients.