[Percutaneous nephrostomy as primary therapy of ureterovaginal fistula]

We report on our experience with 11 cases of ureterovaginal fistula primarily treated with percutaneous nephrostomy drainage. In 6 patients the fistula persisted and ureteral reimplantation with psoas hitch was performed. In 5 patients the ureterovaginal fistula closed during nephrostomy drainage. In 2 of these 5 cases a distal ureteral stricture developed and was in 1 case successfully treated by ureteral dilation under systemic corticosteroid treatment. In the second case of a ureteral stricture reimplantation was necessary. All 4 patients, that were managed without open surgery had IVP's more than a year after treatment with normal upper tracts. When ureteral reimplantation had to be performed this was an elective procedure with minimal risk and optimal preparation of the patient due to percutaneous nephrostomy drainage.