Urogenital Fistulas: Surgical Management, Outcomes, and Prognostic Factors: A 14-Year Monocentric Experience
摘要
Urogenital fistulas are rare but severe complications of gynecological surgery, mainly hysterectomy, with a major impact on quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the management and outcomes of urogenital fistulas treated in a tertiary referral center, with a focus on vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) and prognostic factors for surgical success.
MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients managed for urogenital fistula in our institution between January 2010 and December 2024 in a French university hospital. Clinical, etiological, surgical, and functional outcomes were analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients with VVF to identify predictors of surgical success.
ResultsAmong 131 patients identified, 67 were confirmed with urogenital fistulas: 39 VVF (58.2%), 12 urethrovaginal (17.9%), 11 ureterovaginal (16.4%), and five vesicouterine fistulas (7.5%). Median age at diagnosis was 49 years [IQR 43–62] and median BMI 27 kg/m2 [IQR 24–31]. Most cases followed hysterectomy (58%) or other pelvic surgery (26.1%), while 11.6% were obstetric. Primary success after the index repair was 80.6%, while definitive closure was ultimately achieved in 92.5% of patients. In vesicovaginal fistulas, primary success was 89.7%. Predictors of failure included prior radiotherapy (75% vs 10.8%, p = 0.012), oncological etiology (p = 0.013), and longer surgical delay (12 months vs 6 months, p = 0.027). Major complications (Clavien ≥ III) occurred only in failures (50% vs 0%, p = 0.007).
ConclusionsVVF repair achieves high success rates in specialized centers. Radiotherapy, oncological etiology, and prolonged delay are significant risk factors for failure, underlining the importance of early referral and multidisciplinary management.