Vesicouterine Fistula (Youssef Syndrome): Case Report and Literature Review

 

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Abstract

Objective To describe a case of vesicouterine fistula and to review the literature related to this condition.

Methods For the review, we accessed the MEDLINE, BIREME and LILACS databases; the references of the searched articles were also reviewed.

Results A 38-year-old woman, in the 1st day after her 3rd cesarean, presented heavy hematuria, which was considered secondary to a difficult dissection of the bladder. A total of 6 months after delivery, she failed to resume her regular menstrual cycles and presented cyclic menouria and amenorrhea. At this time, she had two episodes of urethral obstruction by blood clots. She remained without a correct diagnosis until about two years postdelivery, when a vesicouterine fistula was confirmed through cystoscopy. A surgical correction through open abdominal route, coupled with hysterectomy, was performed. After the surgery, the symptoms disappeared. The review showed a tendency of change in the relative frequency of the different types of genitourinary fistulae. Vesicovaginal fistulae, usually caused by inadequate care during labor, are becoming less frequent than those secondary to medical procedures, such as vesicouterine fistulae. The most common cause of this latter kind of fistula is cesarean section, especially repeated cesarean sections. The diagnosis is confirmed through one or more imaging exams, or through cystoscopy. The most common treatment is surgical, and the routes are: open abdominal, laparoscopic, vaginal or robotic. There are some reports of success with the conservative treatment.

Conclusion Vesicouterine fistulae are becoming more common because of the increase in the performance of cesarean sections, and the condition must be considered a possible complication thereof.

Resumo

Objetivo Apresentar um caso de fístula vesico-uterina e realizar revisão da literatura sobre esta condição.

Métodos Revisão realizada consultando-se as bases MEDLINE, BIREME e LILACS, além das referências dos artigos consultados.

Resultados Uma mulher de 38 anos, após sua terceira cesárea, no puerpério imediato, apresentou hematúria importante, que foi atribuída a uma dificuldade na dissecção da bexiga durante o procedimento. Seis meses pós-parto, em vez de retomar os ciclos menstruais regulares, apresentou menúria cíclica e amenorreia (síndrome de Youssef). A paciente chegou a apresentar obstrução uretral por coágulos, e permaneceu sem diagnóstico correto até cerca de anos pós-parto, quando este foi feito por cistoscopia. Ela foi então submetida a correção cirúrgica por via abdominal, associada a uma histerectomia, com desaparecimento dos sintomas. A revisão mostrou que tem havido mudança na frequência dos vários tipos de fístulas urogenitais. As fístulas vesicovaginais, normalmente secundárias à má assistência durante o parto, têm sido mais raras, enquanto aquelas secundárias a procedimentos médicos, como as vesicouterinas, têm sido mais frequentes. A causa mais comum deste tipo de fístula é a cesárea, especialmente a de repetição. A apresentação pode ser de amenorreia e menúria e/ou perda urinária. O diagnóstico é feito por um ou mais métodos de imagem ou cistoscopia. O tratamento mais comum é cirúrgico, por via abdominal aberta, laparoscópica, transvaginal ou robótica. Existem relatos de cura com tratamento conservador.

Conclusão As fístulas vesicouterinas têm sido mais comuns devido ao aumento da proporção de cesáreas. Deve-se ter em mente a possibilidade deste diagnóstico e considerá-las uma das possíveis complicações da cesárea.

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