Management of female uro-genital fistulas: framing certain guidelines

The study was carried out to discuss the pathogenesis and management protocol of seven different varieties of female uro-genital fistulas [FUGFs]. During 2000-2007, total of 15 FUGFs were operated, which belonged to seven different varieties requiring different routes and surgical procedures for their repair. Different fistulas with different pathophysiological factors required specific examinations and investigations preoperatively. The results of the repaired FUGFs, following the general surgical principles, were acceptable with formation of only one residual fistula. Successful correction of FUGFs is a surgical challenge. Detailed history, through examination and planning, atraumatic tissue handling, routine use of the interposition or onlay reinforcement flaps and vigilant postoperative care were found the key factors in successful outcome of the repaired fistulas

Fístula vesico vaginal: modificación de técnica quirúrgica / Vesicovaginal fistula: modification of the surgical technique

Las fístulas vesicovaginales se conocen desde la antigüedad. Mahfouz describió una en una momia egipcia, actualmente la causa más frecuente es la histerectomía, el éxito de la reparación de la fístula, depende de: tiempo de establecida la fístula, etiología, localización, estudio de la paciente y la fístula, técnica quirúrgica y experiencia del urólogo. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal para de mostrar las ventajas de la modificación en la técnica quirúrgica, entre los años 2001 y 2008 en el servicio de Urología del Hospital Docente Iluminado Rodríguez de Jagüey Grande, Matanzas, se operaron 21 pacientes, las edades comprendidas entre 21 y 50 años y el motivo de ingreso, incontinencia de orina y antecedente de una operación quirúrgica ginecológica. Se utilizaron los archivos del hospital para obtener los datos recogidos de las historias clínicas. La distribución etárea fue del 76 por ciento de los casos entre los 31 y 45 años, que denota su gran frecuencia entre mujeres en edad fértil y de mayor desarrollo socio-económico, resultaron estadísticamente significativas las histerectomías abdominales en la génesis de la fístula con más del 85.7 por ciento. Se comprobó que la vía de abordaje quirúrgico más utilizada en la reparación fue la abdominal y por lo general de localización retrotrigonal. Se logra recuperación de la función urinaria fisiológica y ahorro de $ 750.00, en cada caso y la regresión a la tranquilidad familiar, la vida laboral y social de todas las pacientes.

Vesicovaginal fistulas are known from the ancient times. Mahfouz described one in an Egyptian mummy. Nowadays the most frequent cause is the hysterectomy. The success in repairing a fistula depends on: time of fistula's formation, aetiology, location, study of the patient and the fistula, surgical technique and urologist's experience. We carried out a longitudinal descriptive study to state the advantages of the modification of the surgical techniques, in the years from 2001 and 2008 at the Urology Service of the Teaching Hospital Iluminado Rodríguez of Jagüey Grande, Matanzas. 21 21-to-50 years-old patients were operated. The causes of entering the hospital were urine incontinence and antecedents of gynaecologic surgical intervention. The hospital records were used to obtain the data collected in the patients' clinical records. 76 per cent of the cases were between 31 and 45 years old, denoting its great frequency among women in fertile age and of the higher socio-economic status, being statistically significant abdominal hysterectomies in the fistula genesis with more than 85.7 per cent. We proved that the most used surgical treatment use was the abdominal one, and generally the location was retrotrigonal. It was achieved the recovering of the physiologic urinary function and $ 750.00 were saved in each case. All the patients recovered the familiar peace, and returned to social and laboral life.

Results and predictions of success of vesico-vaginal fistula repair at a national reference level in Rwanda

Objective:Vesico-vaginal fistulas (VVF's) cause enormous harm to women in developing countries. This prospective study intends to highlight epidemiological; etiological and pathological data; and to define predictors of surgical results in a national referral hospital setting. Material and Methods:All consecutive patients with VVF presenting at the Kigali Hospital Centre of Rwanda between 1997 and 2001 were included. Data on epidemiology; pathology; therapy and outcome were prospectively obtained. The risk factors for therapeutic failure were identified by multivariate analysis. Results Ninety eight percent of all cases were of obstetrical origin. Twenty five percent of VVF were categorized as simple; 64as complex and 11as complicated. Complete closure and continence were obtained in 87 (77.7) cases and closure with moderate incontinence in 7 cases (6.3). In 18 cases (16) closure failed even after 3 surgical attempts. The independent risk factors for therapeutic failure were vaginal fibrosis (p0.001) and total destruction of the bladder p=0.002).Conclusion: We conclude that failure is basically linked to the level of destruction of the bladder neck as well as the magnitude of pelvic scarring. Surgery of complex and complicated VVF remains a challenge and requires multi-skilled surgeons. The lasting solution is the development of maternity services and the training of health personnel in reproductive health