Surgical repair of post-hysterectomy vesicovaginal fistulas

Herein we describe in detail the preoperative evaluation, surgical technique and postoperative care used in repairing 13 post-hysterectomy vesicovaginal fistulas by the transabdominal transvesical approach. We were successful in all 13 cases, although 1 required 2 operations. Excellent results can be obtained in these patients if a complete urological diagnostic study is done, a careful technique is used during the operation and specialized postoperative care is given. The transabdominal transvesical approach to this problem is safer and gives better results than the transvaginal operation.