Case of vaginal cuff dehiscence and small bowel evisceration after laparoscopic radical cystectomy

Vaginal cuff dehiscence and small bowel evisceration after laparoscopic radical cystectomy, although rare, can be a critical complication. However, little has been reported about it by urologists.

A 79-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy for invasive bladder carcinoma. Thirteen months postoperatively, she experienced vaginal cuff dehiscence and small bowel evisceration, and underwent emergency surgery. Intraoperatively, we detached the vaginal apex from the surrounding tissue to lengthen it and performed vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension, with no subsequent recurrence.

Urologists should pay attention to vaginal cuff dehiscence and small bowel evisceration after laparoscopic radical cystectomy in female patients. In this case, the short vaginal length without vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension might have led to vaginal dehiscence.