The staged management of complex entero-urinary fistulae

Fistulous Complications following Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Analysis of a Large Modern Cohort

PURPOSE

Fistula formation is a rare and poorly described complication following radical cystectomy with urinary diversion. We sought to identify patients who experienced any type of fistulous complication and we analyzed risk factors for formation as well as management outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer at our institution. Patients who experienced any fistula were identified. Risk factors, management strategies and outcomes were analyzed. Patients underwent initial conservative treatment and those in whom this treatment failed underwent surgical repair. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of fistula formation as well as the need for surgical repair.

RESULTS

Of the 1,041 patients 31 (3.0%) experienced fistula formation. Median time to fistula presentation was 31 days. Enterodiversion was the most common fistula type, noted in 54.8% of patients, followed by enterocutaneous and diversion cutaneous treatment in 29.0% and 12.9%, respectively. On multivariable analyses a history of radiation therapy (OR 3.1, p = 0.03) and an orthotopic neobladder (OR 3.1, p = 0.04) were predictors of fistula formation. Conservative management was successful in 41.9% of cases. There were no predictors of failed conservative management. Of patients who required surgical repair success was achieved in 94.4% at a single operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Fistulas are rare after radical cystectomy and they are most common between the urinary diversion and the small bowel. A history of radiation therapy and a orthotopic neobladder are risk factors for formation. When required, surgical repair is generally successful at a single operation.

Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) to Treat Vesicorectal Fistula: A New Approach

Purpose:

Vesicorectal fistula is one of the most devastating postoperative complications after radical prostatectomy. Definitive treatment is difficult due to morbidity and recurrence. Despite many options, there is not an unanimous accepted approach. This article aimed to report a new minimally invasive approach as an option to reconstructive surgery.

Materials and Methods:

We report on Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) with miniLap devices for instrumentation in a 65 year old patient presenting with vesicorectal fistula after radical prostatectomy. We used Alexis® device for transanal access and 3, 5 and 11 mm triangulated ports for the procedure. The surgical steps were as follows: cystoscopy and implant of guide wire through fistula; patient at jack-knife position; transanal access; Identification of the fistula; dissection; vesical wall closure; injection of fibrin glue in defect; rectal wall closure.

Results:

The operative time was 240 minutes, with 120 minutes for reconstruction. No perioperative complications or conversion were observed. Hospital stay was two days and catheters were removed at four weeks. No recurrence was observed.

Conclusions:

This approach has low morbidity and is feasible. The main difficulties consisted in maintaining luminal dilation, instrumental manipulation and suturing.

Pelvic radiation is associated with urinary fistulae repair failure and need for permanent urinary diversion

OBJECTIVE

To review our experience with nonmuscle flap repairs of enterourinary fistulae (EUF) and urinary cutaneous fistulae (UCF). EUF and UCF can be treated either with temporary urinary diversion allowing for healing by secondary intention or primary closure of the defect using an interposing omental, sliding, or muscle flap. Even after successful fistula repair, permanent urinary diversion can be required because of persistent urinary incontinence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 86 patients who underwent treatment of EUF or UCF at Washington University between the years 1998 and 2013. Of these, 39 patients underwent fistula repair, whereas 47 patients underwent either surgical or nonsurgical urinary diversion. Outcomes measured included postoperative fistula closure, need for permanent urinary diversion, and urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

The mean age in our series was 59 years (21-87 years) at the time of surgery, with median follow-up of 20 months (1-137 months). Among patients who underwent surgical repair, radiation was associated with higher rates of repair failure (P = .0002), postsurgical incontinence (P <.0001), and the need for permanent urinary diversion (P = .0076). At the time of final follow-up, 32 of the 44 radiated patients had required permanent diversion (72%) compared with 3 of the 42 nonradiated patients (7%; P <.0001).

CONCLUSION

Patients who undergo pelvic radiation before EUF and UCF repairs are at higher risk for developing repair failure and postsurgical incontinence. Many patients eventually require permanent urinary diversion. Therefore, EUF and UCF repairs in radiated patients should be undertaken with caution, and patients should be counseled about the possibility of urinary diversion as primary therapy.

A novel surgical technique to localize small enteropouch fistula

BACKGROUND

One of the rare complications of ileal neobladder after radical cystectomy is pouch-to-intestine fistula. There isn't a classic method to intraoperative diagnosis of small fistula.

CASE PRESENTATION

An entero-pouch fistula was occurred in a patient after radical cystectomy with ileal orthotopic pouch. Because of failed conservative management, the patient was candidate for surgery. The hidden small fistula in the small intestine was diagnosed by high intraluminal hydrostatic pressure (by intraluminal saline injection).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative diagnosis the intestinal opening of a small fistula is very important. At the time of surgery if the fistula tract becomes open (during releasing the adhesions), it may leak in the peritoneum in postoperative period. Intraluminal high pressure is a useful method for intraoperative small hidden intestine opening.

Management of enterocutaneous fistulas

Despite advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy, nutritional support, and perioperative critical care, the development of an enterocutaneous fistula continues to represent a major therapeutic challenge, with appreciable morbidity and mortality. Specific problems that must be addressed for the successful management of patients with enterocutaneous fistulas are the control of sepsis, maintenance of adequate fluid and electrolyte balance, provision of adequate and complication-free nutritional support, and skin-stoma care. In addition, many patients with postoperative intestinal fistulation suffer from significant psychological morbidity, which must be addressed during often prolonged periods of rehabilitation. The complex nature of the care required for successful management of patients with enterocutaneous fistulas mandates a multidisciplinary team approach, with specialist nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, radiologists, physicians, and surgeons all having important roles to play.

[Urinary fistula: update]

The urinary fistulas are not a frequent problem in our urological rutinary work, being the vesicovaginal ones the most common. However, it will be necessary to know them to be able to diagnose and treat them in the best way. In this article we classificate the different urinary fistulas (uro-gynecologicals, uro-vasculars, uro-cutaneous and entero-urinarys), explaining the possible etiologies and the correct management.