Management and outcomes of colovesical fistula repair

This large retrospective study presents the largest colovesical fistula (CVF) series to date. We report on recurrence risk factors and patient satisfaction based on quality of life after CVF repair. Approval was obtained from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine Institutional Review Board, and a retrospective review was performed from 2003 to 2010 involving 72 consecutive patients who underwent a colovesical fistula repair. The CVF recurrence rate was 11 per cent. Ten percent of our patients who had a history of radiation therapy were at a significantly higher risk of developing a recurrence. Noted recurrence rates were significantly higher in advanced bladder repairs compared with simple repair (P = 0.022). The modified (Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index) surveys showed overall patient satisfaction score was 3.6, out of a maximum score of 4, regardless of the type of repair or any postoperative complications. Our study found the CVF recurrence rate to be 11 per cent. Patients at higher risk of recurrence include those needing advanced bladder repair, those with "complex" CVF, and those whose fistulas involve the urethra. Patient satisfaction was found to be more closely linked to the resolution of CVF symptoms, irrespective of the type of repair performed or development of postoperative complications.