Vaginal repair of ureterovaginal fistula may be suitable for selected cases
Akwasi A Boateng1, Ehab A Eltahawy, Ayman Mahdy
1Section of Voiding Dysfunction and Female Urology, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0589, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Abstract:
Ureterovaginal fistula (UVF) is an uncommon but devastating complication of gynecologic surgery. Management includes ureteral stenting for 6-8 weeks. For stent failure, ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) through an open, laparoscopic, or robotic abdominal approach is the classic alternative. Originally pioneered for repair of vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF), the use of the vaginal approach in UVF is scarcely reported in the literature. We report the successful repair of UVF performed exclusively through the vaginal approach in two women after robotic hysterectomy. In select clinical scenarios, this approach may be applied, as it provides a minimally invasive option for managing UVF after failure of ureteral stenting.
