WATER-PROOFING FLAPS IN VESICO-VAGINAL FISTULAS (VVFs).

Purpose: To draft guidelines for choosing an ideal water-proofing flap during surgical closure of simple and complex vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs). Aims and objectives: To apprise the treating surgical team for choosing the best suitable single or a combination of two pedicled water-proofing flaps to re-enforce the closure site of vesico-vaginal fistulas (VVFs) to prevent recurrences. Materials and methods: This includes brief description of various water-proofing flaps to be planned depending upon characteristics of VVFs, surrounding tissues, the route chosen to approach the VVF, expertise of surgical team and the facilities available at the medical center and the co-existing morbidities. Conclusions: Selection of appropriate single or double water-proofing flaps for re-enforcement of the closed vesico-vaginal fistula ensures success against subsequent recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]