To report a large series of vesicovaginal fistula, and to assess the incidence of ureteric injury in association with vesicovaginal fistula.

We retrospectively reviewed a prospective database of patients with vesicovaginal fistula referred to our center between 2004 and 2016. Data on patient demographics, fistula etiology, mode of repair, and any associated ureteric injury and its treatment were noted.

Overall, 116 patients (median age 49 years, range 23-88 years) were referred for management of vesicovaginal fistula during the study period. Four of these patients (3.4%) had associated ureteric injury, one of whom had bilateral injury. Ureteric obstruction alone was noted in two patients, ureterovaginal fistula alone in one patient, and bilateral ureteric obstruction and ureterovaginal fistula in one patient. All ureteric injuries were managed with simultaneous reimplantation into the bladder at the time of vesicovaginal fistula repair. Five patients had post-radiotherapy vesicovaginal fistula, and the remainder were post-surgical. Three patients with post-radiotherapy vesicovaginal fistula proceeded to primary diversion.

Ureteric injury is far less common than previously reported, occurring in <5% of patients presenting with vesicovaginal fistula. It can be successfully managed, and it remains the major indication for abdominal repair of vesicovaginal fistula.

International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association. 2019 Jun 17 [Epub ahead of print]

Jai Seth, Anthony Kiosoglous, Mahreen Pakzad, Rizwan Hamid, Julian Shah, Jeremy Ockrim, Tamsin Greenwell

Department of Urology, University College London Hospital, London, UK.

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