Repair of a vesico-vaginal fistula with amniotic membrane – Step 1 of the IDEAL recommendations of surgical innovation

INTRODUCTION Complex vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) has a high recurrence rate and so the repair with graft tissues seems to be favorable. Amniotic membrane (AM) plays an increasing role as a scaffold for the repair of defect tissue due to its unique biological properties with regard to promoting wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS An innovative surgical procedure for AM-assisted repair of a complex vesico-vaginal fistula as the Idea Stage following the IDEAL recommendations is presented. The development of amnion preparation and the involved surgical steps are described. RESULTS We are able to report a successful repair of VVF by abdominal approach with an amniotic membrane graft. Good functional results, no adverse events and no graft rejection have been detected. CONCLUSIONS Favorable results confirm the technical simplicity, safety and efficacy of this procedure. Following the IDEAL recommendations, consecutive animal experiments and a cohort study are in progress.