Retrospective study comparing robotic versus open approaches for genitourinary fistula repair

INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary fistulas are abnormal communications between the urinary or genital tract and adjacent structures, often requiring surgical repair to restore function and quality of life. Robotic-assisted surgery has gained acceptance due to improved visualisation and surgical precision. This study compares the outcomes of robotic-assisted and open genitourinary fistula repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing genitourinary fistula repair between 2010 and 2020 was performed. Patients were divided into robotic (n = 26) and open (n = 24) groups. Surgical success was defined as the absence of recurrence, with post-operative complications and length of hospital stay also analysed. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent genitourinary fistula repair, with 26 in the robotic group and 24 in the open group. Surgical success was 96.15% in the robotic group (1/26 recurrence) and 95.83% in the open group (1/24 recurrence), with no statistically significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). The robotic group had a greater haemoglobin drop than the open group (1.9 vs. 1.1 g/dL, P = 0.024), and interposition flaps were used more frequently in robotic cases (17/26 vs. 3/24, P < 0.001). Length of hospital stay was similar in both groups despite greater case complexity in the robotic arm. CONCLUSION: Both robotic-assisted and open approaches provide high and comparable success rates for genitourinary fistula repair. The robotic approach was used more often in complex cases, with higher flap utilisation and slightly greater blood loss, but without compromising overall outcomes. The choice of approach should be guided by patient factors, fistula complexity and available surgical expertise, and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.