Simple and effective: transvaginal vesico-vaginal fistula repair with a modified Latzko technique

The incidence of vesico-vaginal fistulas after hysterectomies for benign indications in developed countries is less than one percent. The objective of this video is to demonstrate an easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach to repairing a small, uncomplicated vesico-vaginal fistula transvaginally using a modified Latzko technique. In this video, we present a case of a 46-year-old woman who developed a simple, uncomplicated vesico-vaginal fistula after a total abdominal hysterectomy. To correct her fistula, we used a modified Latzko technique, which is a transvaginal approach to vesico-vaginal fistula repair that involves mobilizing the vaginal mucosa around the fistula and then closing the pubo-vesical fascia and vaginal mucosa in layers. The patient had successful surgical correction of her vesico-vaginal fistula without recurrence of the fistula. For small, uncomplicated vesico-vaginal fistulas, a transvaginal approach has an equivalent success rate to that of other approaches with less invasiveness and faster recovery times. Therefore, it is reasonable to use a modified Latzko technique to help restore the quality of life to women affected by small, uncomplicated vesico-vaginal fistulas.12 month embargo; published online: 07 September 2017This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu