title: Urinary tract fistulas following abdominal hysterectomy.
abstract: Sixteen patients with urinary tract fistulas (14 vesicovaginal and two ureterovaginal) following simple abdominal hysterectomy were treated over a period of 17 years. Most vesicovaginal fistulas were treated by a transvesical technique, which proved to be a comfortable and successful method in our hands. Closure of the fistula followed usually more than four weeks after diagnosis. Earlier repair, which has been forwarded as an alternative therapy, might give equally good results and would save the patient from the severe hygienic problem of continuous urinary leakage. Conservative treatment with an indwelling urinary catheter led to spontaneous closure of the fistula in one patient. Two ureterovaginal fistulas were corrected by an anti-reflux ureteroneocystostomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kiilholma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haarala
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soilu-Hänninen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Virtanen
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirvonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nurmi
mesh_terms: D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003559:Cystostomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D014624:Vaginal Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery