Open Access

RESIDENT’S CORNER

Robotic assisted laparoscopic repair of vesico-vaginal fstula: the extravesical approach

Alexandra E. Rogers, David D. Thiel, Theodore E. Brisson, Steven P. Petrou

Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Address correspondence to Dr. Alexandra E. Rogers, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2012, 19(5), 6474-6476.

Abstract

Theoptimalmethodofvesico-vaginalfstula(VVF)repair remains undetermined. Almost all previous descriptions of laparoscopic/robotic fstula repair involve utilizing a vertical cystotomy to identify the fsula. Avoidance of an intravesical approach to vesico-vaginal fstula repair may decrease patient morbidity. Patient selection, patient positioning, fstula recognition, port placement, intra-operative dissection techniques, flap formation, and repair are outlined in this video of robotic repair of vesico-vaginal fstula utilizing an extravesical approach. The extravesical robotic repair has been successfully utilized in two patients with VVF following hysterectomy. This manuscript and video demonstrates that vesico-vaginal fstulae can be repaired with a robotic assisted extravesical approach avoiding the morbidity of a large cystotomy.

---

Keywords

---