[Uretero-vaginal fistulas. 45 cases]

The authors report a series of 45 cases of ureterovaginal fistula (UVF) observed over a 25-year period. The patients had a mean age of 34 years (20 to 50 years). 32 UVF (71%) were secondary to obstetric procedures and operations and 13 UVF (29%) were due to hysterectomy for gynaecological diseases. The clinical features were dominated by urine leak via the vagina with persistent micturition (68.8%) and low back pain (40%). UVF was associated with vesicovaginal fistula in 11 patients and acute renal failure was observed in 4 patients. IVU confirmed the diagnosis in 36 patients (87%) and revealed 23 cases of uretero-hydronephrosis and 4 silent kidneys. Retrograde ureteropyelography, performed in 4 cases, confirmed the diagnosis of UVF. The lesion was situated on the right side in 26 patients and was bilateral in the other 3 patients. The commonest lesion was section (48.8%). Treatment consisted of ureterovesical reimplantation (27 cases), Boari-Küss bladder flap of (3 cases), psoas bladder (5 cases), nephrectomy (2 cases), end-to-end anastomosis (2 cases), appendico-ureteroplasty (2 cases), double J stent (2 cases) and ileoureteroplasty (1 case). The course was favourable in 35 patients (77%).