Recurrent vesico-acetabulo-cutaneous fistula: lessons to be learnt

Abstract

A man in early 40s met with an accident with a complex pelvic fracture and extraperitoneal bladder injury and posterior urethral disruption 16 years ago. He additionally had left lumbar spinal segment mixed nerve injury, resulting in a foot drop. He underwent laparotomy and a diverting cystostomy at the time with a primary perineal urethroplasty a year later. He later developed pseudoarthrodesis of the hip joint, and poorly compliant bladder with complete block at bulbar urethra. A redo anastomotic urethroplasty was performed, hyperreflexive neurogenic bladder was managed with intravesical botox injections and underwent a hip replacement. Having defaulted botox injections, he developed a vesico-acetabulo-cutaneous fistula and the hip prosthesis was explanted. Later he underwent a ileal cystoplasty and a revision hip replacement. Ten years later, he presented with a recurrent fistula due to poor compliance with clean intermittent catheterisation. A challenging exploration with fistula excision was done with a primary bladder repair.