TREATMENT OF VESICOVAGINAL FISTULA BY BLADDER MUCOSA AUTOGRAFT TECHNIQUE

Objectives: We evaluated the efficacy of the bladder mucosa autograft technique in the treatment of vesicovaginal fistula. Study Design: Dur ing 15 years, 80 women with vesicovaginal fistula after gynecologic su rgery for benign disease were treated by interposition of a bladder mu cosa autograft in the fistulous tract within 1-3 months of its genesis . Results: The success rate of this surgical intervention was 96.3%. T here was no late failure. Conclusions: Bladder mucosa autograft interp osition seems to be an excellent therapy for closing vesicovaginal fis tulas. It appears to be more physiologic and easier to perform when co mpared with other transabdominal techniques. Early intervention proved to be efficacious and to improve the woman's quality of life. (C) 199 8 by the American College of Surgeons.