If you have a history of surgical treatment due to vaginal cancer or bladder issues, your risk for developing a vesicovaginal fistula increases. At Park Avenue Urogynecology, Soo Kwon, MD, offers high-quality diagnostic testing and treatment services on-site for vesicovaginal fistulas and the unexpected urine leaks they cause. Dr. Kwon specializes in minimally invasive surgery to close the fistula so you can enjoy long-lasting relief of your symptoms. Call the office in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York, to schedule a consultation for vesicovaginal fistulas or book an appointment online today.
Most vesicovaginal fistulas (VVF) occur after pelvic surgeries. Dr. Kwon has extensive experience through her international humanitarian work in sub-Saharan Africa. She has performed hundreds of repairs of these complex fistulas with excellent results. She has been elected as the Vice President of the International Urogynecologic Association. She has been the Director of the Urogynecology Fellowship program in Ghana, teaching extensively for many years.
To confirm the urine leaks relate to a vesicovaginal fistula, and not another underlying condition, Dr. Kwon performs a pelvic exam.
She may also order X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scan to check for abnormalities in your pelvic area that trigger urine leaks.
In some cases, Dr. Kwon may also need to insert a scope through your urethra to get a closer look at your bladder.
The only way to correct a vesicovaginal fistula and urine leaks is to close off the opening of the fistula during surgery. You may also need additional surgeries to repair the damage the fistula causes to your bladder or vagina.
After surgery, you can expect Dr. Kwon to place a catheter in your bladder to help you urinate. The catheter stays in place for several weeks to give the surgical site time to heal.
Typically, the success rate of surgery to treat vesicovaginal fistulas is very high. However, if you have a fistula that develops after surgery to treat cancer, your results may not be as good.
Dr. Kwon discusses your options for surgical treatment during your initial evaluation and what to expect from surgery based on your medical history, the size of the fistula, and other factors.
If you’re experiencing unexpected urine leaks, schedule a diagnostic evaluation online or by calling the office of Park Avenue Urogynecology today.
