A 35-year-old woman has a small (0.5 cm) vesicovaginal fistula developing 10 days after total abdominal hysterectomy. The standard recommended waiting period before attempting surgical repair is:

• A 3 to 6 months ✓
• B 6 to 12 weeks
• C Immediate repair within 72 hours
• D 12 months

Explanation

For a vesicovaginal fistula presenting 10 days after surgery, the standard recommendation is to wait 3 to 6 months to allow inflammation to resolve and tissues to become suitable for repair. Immediate repair (within 72 hours) is only considered if the fistula is recognized at the time of the primary surgery. Waiting less than 3 months has higher failure rates due to friable oedematous tissue.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.