[Comparison and discussion of different surgical methods used to treat vesicovaginal fistulas]

To compare the feasibility and prognosis of different surgical methods used for vesicovaginal fistulas and to explore the value of electrocoagulation treating small ones.

The medical data of 19 patients who had undertaken transvaginal VVF repairs in Peking University People's Hospital between October 2008 and November 2016 were retrospectively collected. The follow-ups were performed. The patients' age ranged from 31 to 55 years with the median age of 48 years and the history length ranged from 1 month to 24 months with the median length of 3 months. Their fistula situation, surgical methods and prognosis were analyzed and the differences and similarities were compared.

Three patients (15.79%) was performed by electrocoagulation, 4 (21.05%) by transvaginal repair, 5 (21.32%) by laparoscopic repair and 7(36.84%) by open operation. Except one patient who rejected urinary catheter and D-J catheters, the rest of the patients discharged with catheters. Twelve patients (63.2%) got full satisfaction with one operation. One of the 3 patients who undertook electrocoagulation repeated the operation for twice and got completely cured within 1 month while the other two undertook the operation once and got dry within 1 month. Three patients who undertook transvaginal repair got dry within 1 month. Two of the 5 patients who undertook laparoscopic repair had readmission for a second operation and the other 3 got dry after operation. Five of the 7 open repair patients got dry while the other 2 attempted other center for treatment.

Transvaginal repair has been the main surgery procedure for VVF, but it is limited by the location of fistula and the condition of vaginal. For patients not suitable for transvaginal repair, laparoscopic repair and open surgery are feasible. However both laparoscopic repair and open surgery are more invasive. Based on that, electrocoagulation becomes a better choice. In our research, patients with small and high location fistula treated by electrocoagulation got a higher cure rate and bear less surgical trauma. Electrocoagulation used in the treatment of VVF showed advantages of less trauma, less bleeding and better satisfaction. Fistulas with low location were more suitable for transvaginal repair. Complex VVF, especially with narrow ureteral open and ureteral fistulas, were more suitable for open and laparoscopic repair. As for single and small fistula, the electrocoagulation can be the first choice.