Tuberculous vesicovaginal fistula complicated by bladder stones: About an exceptional case

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries. Given the particular association of VVF with stones, the question that arises is whether the fistula is primary or secondary to bladder stone and then whether to use single-stage or two-stage treatment. But what is special about this study is that these rare clinical features are due to tuberculosis. We here report the case of a 62-year old female patient with a history of treated tuberculous spondylodiscitis. The patient had been declared cured 4 years before. For the previous 2 years she had been suffering from continuous urinary incontinence. Clinical examination showed almost complete vaginal synechia. Complementary scannography and cystography showed the presence of 3 stones on the way to the VVF. The largest stone measured 6cm along its longer axis with passage of contrast material into the uterovaginal cavity through the fistula. The patient was admitted to the operating room where she underwent cystolithotomy with ablation of the stones that were on the way to the fistula, biopsy of the fistulous tract and single-stage closure of the VVF in two layers without interposition of the autologous tissue. Anatomopathological results confirmed the presence of active tuberculosis on the way to the fistula, requiring resumption of antibacillary treatment for 9 months. During the follow-up visit at 3, 6 and 9 months the patient showed good clinical status with absence of urinary incontinence. VVF secondary to tuberculosis associated with urinary stones appears very little in literature. Our case demonstrates the feasibility of antibacillar medical treatment associated with single-stage surgical treatment with very satisfactory results despite the history of our patient and the duration of his disease.