title: Transvaginal genital fistula repair with insertion of Foley catheter via fistula tract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Genital fistula is one of the most devastating injuries in women. Despite advances in medical care, it continues to be a distressing problem, and the success rate of repair surgery is still limited. We herein describe our experience with the surgical approach using Foley catheter to repair genital fistula after gynecological surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who had received genital fistula repair surgery with Foley catheter between October 2011 and December 2013. Based on traditional transvaginal genital fistula repair surgery, we inserted a Foley catheter into the bladder or intestine through the fistula opening. As a result, the fistula opening could be tracked, which allows for a clear view to improve fistula repair. All 29 patients were followed up at 1, 4, and 12 weeks postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 29 patients, 28 had successful surgical outcome (96.55% success rate). The mean operative time was 85 ± 8.1 min. The mean blood loss was 109 ± 23.4 mL. No intraoperative complications were observed. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was 10 ± 2.8 days. The follow-up rate was 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repair of transvaginal genital fistula using Foley catheter had a high success rate, short operative time, minimal blood loss, low morbidity and short hospital stay. Therefore, this approach is minimally invasive and effective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Gui
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Bingshu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Debin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Shasha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D014624:Vaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Foley catheter; rectovaginal fistula; vesicovaginal fistula