Post-operative considerations for vesicovaginal fistula

  The cause of genitourinary tract urofistula is local ischemic necrosis, and delayed vascular occlusion of local tissues after surgical repair cannot be excluded, leading to local ischemic necrosis and reoccurrence of urofistula. Postoperative care should be taken to avoid high-risk factors, including smoking, infection, diabetes mellitus, and long-term steroid use.  The suprapubic fistula should be kept for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, and urinary fistulae caused by radiation therapy should be kept for 4 to 8 weeks after surgery. The cystostomy tube should be kept open during the retention period. If extravasation of urine is found before removal, the cystostomy tube should be kept open and adjusted accordingly. Postoperative anticholinergic drugs are routinely given to prevent bladder spasm.  The postoperative diet should be easy to digest and highly nutritious, with appropriate supplementation of fruits, vegetables and coarse fiber foods to keep the bowel movement smooth and effortless; if constipation occurs, appropriate laxative drugs can be taken to help defecation. In short, activities and movements that avoid elevated abdominal pressure are crucial!  Even if the fistula is successfully repaired, postoperative difficulty in urination, urinary frequency and urgency, or urinary incontinence may still occur, significantly affecting the patient’s quality of life. This may be caused by a combination of multiple factors. Symptoms such as urinary frequency and urgency can be controlled by anticholinergic drugs, and some patients with more persistent symptoms can be treated with sacral neuromodulation. Vaginal examination and sexual intercourse are prohibited for 3 months after urofistula. Elective cesarean section is highly recommended if the female patient has future fertility requirements!