Repair of vesicovaginal fistula by a suprapubic transvesical approach

Thirty-four vesicovaginal fistulas of various causes were repaired using a suprapubic, transvesical approach modified after the original technique of O'Connor. Only four failures resulted. Two of the failures were attributed to residual or recurrent carcinoma and two to poor tissue healing resulting from an inadequate delay between the initial surgical procedure and an attempt at reconstructive surgery. Surgical complications included three wound infections and one instance of severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Technical considerations thought to be important include excision of all diseased tissue in the bladder and vagina; complete separation of the bladder from the vagina with a margin of healthy tissue in all directions; careful, watertight closure of both bladder and vagina without tension; interposition of peritoneum or omentum between the closed bladder and vagina, and initial postoperative maintenance of an uninfected and dry suture line.