A Multi-Institutional Experience with Robotic Vesicovaginal and Ureterovaginal Fistula Repair After Iatrogenic Injury

Abstract

Objectives: To describe our multi-institutional experience with robotic repair of iatrogenic urogynecologic fistulae (UGF), including vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF) and ureterovaginal fistulae (UVF). Methods: We performed a retrospective review identifying patients who underwent robotic repair of VVF and UVF between January 2010 and May 2019. All patients failed conservative management with Foley catheter or upper tract drainage (ureteral stent and/or nephrostomy tube), respectively. Patient demographics and perioperative outcomes were analyzed. Success was defined as no vaginal leakage of urine postoperatively, in the absence of drains, catheters, or stents. Results: Of 34 patients, 22/34 (65%) had VVF and 12/34 (35%) had UVF repair. VVF etiology included radiation (1/22, 4.5%) and surgery (21/22, 95.5%). Four of 22 (18%) had undergone prior repair attempt. Median console time was 187 minutes (interquartile range [IQR]: 151–219), estimated blood loss (EBL) was 50 mL (IQR: 50–93), and median length of stay (LOS) was 1 day (IQR: 1–2). Two of 22 (9%) patients had a postoperative complication. At mean follow-up of 28.9 months, 20/22 (91%) VVF cases were clinically effective. UVF etiology was gynecologic surgery in all cases; 8/12 (67%) were left-sided, 4/12 (33%) were right-sided. None was repeat repairs. Two of 12 (17%) underwent ureteroureterostomy, and 10/12 (83%) had reimplant. Median console time was 160 minutes (IQR: 133–196), EBL was 50 mL (IQR: 50–112), and LOS was 1 day (IQR: 1–1). No complications were encountered. At mean follow-up of 29.3 months, 100% of UVF repairs were effective. Conclusions: Robotic repair of iatrogenic UGF may be effectively performed with low complication rates by experienced urologic surgeons.