The closure of urinary-vaginal fistulas

Reported series of urinary-vaginal fistulas repaired by a vaginal approach show at least 85% primary closure. However, many patients have had several unsuccessful operations elsewhere prior to the final repair. This means that regularly successful closure is possible, but it demands a certain "know-how" and engagement. In search for the general principles leading to such successful primary closure, different published techniques have been studied. It appears that the essential features are the establishment of a proper distance between the inner vesical and the outer vaginal epithelium and the creation of broad raw surfaces to be ajoined. The operation should not involve any risk of enlarging the existing fistula, and the transfer of normal tissue to the site of the repair and the interposition of tissue between the cavities to be separated are sound reconstructive procedures. A personal technique based on these principles is presented. The gynecologists of to-day most often refer urinary-vaginal fistulas to the urologists, who almost without exception prefer a suprapubic transvesical approach. It is strongly recommended that the large majority of urinary-vaginal fistulas should be repaired by the vaginal approach which is a minor intervention. The plastic surgeon should be engaged in the management of urinary-vaginal fistulas.