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State of the Art for Treatment of Vesicovaginal Fistula

  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms & Voiding Dysfunction (J Sandhu, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Urology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Vesico-vaginal fistulae (VVF) remain the most prevalent genitourinary fistula detrimentally impacting quality of life.

Purpose of the Review

The purpose of this review is to examine relevant literature on management of VVF.

Recent Findings

Obstructed labor is the leading cause of VVF in the developing world with most repairs performed via the transvaginal approach. Conversely, the predominate etiology in industrialized nations is iatrogenic injury with an increasing trend towards abdominal repair via a minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) approach. No studies have compared transvaginal repair to minimally invasive transabdominal approaches. Further, an increasing number of authors have developed algorithms to determine optimum surgical approaches and risk factors for persistent incontinence.

Summary

As surgeons become more facile with laparoscopic and robotic skills, there is a growing trend for minimally invasive surgical management of VVF in developed countries, perhaps widening the disparity gap between developing nations where transvaginal approaches predominate with good success. Further studies are needed to compare transvaginal to minimally invasive transabdominal approaches.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Urology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA

    Rachel A. Moses & E. Ann Gormley

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  1. Rachel A. Moses
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Rachel A. Moses and E. Ann Gormley each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms & Voiding Dysfunction

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Moses, R.A., Ann Gormley, E. State of the Art for Treatment of Vesicovaginal Fistula. Curr Urol Rep 18, 60 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-017-0708-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-017-0708-5

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