Upper Tract Treatment of Urogenital Fistulas at the National Fistula Treatment Center (CNTF)

Introduction: Urogenital fistula is the existence of an abnormal pathway between a urinary organ and a genital organ. It is a public health problem because of its frequency and social aspect. The aim of this study was to analyse the management of urogenital fistulas by the upper route at the National Fistula Treatment Centre in N’Djamena. Material and Methods: This was a 10-year retrospective descriptive and analytical study from May 2011 to April 2021. The records of all patients who had received fistula treatment during this period were identified and analysed. Results: During the study period 2369 patients were managed for cure of urogenital fistula including 84 by the upper route, i.e. 3.5%. The mean age was 28.5 ± 8.13 years. Loss of urine was the most common reason for consultation (71.4%). Primigravida were represented in 50% (n = 42). The average gestational age was 3.2 ± 2.8 with extremes of 0 to 9 pregnancies. Obstetric aetiology was the most common (92.8%). Ureterovaginal fistulas were the most common anatomoclinical type (36.9%). Uretero-vesical reimplantation was the main surgical procedure (41.7%). Late postoperative follow-up was successful in 85.7% of cases. Conclusion: Urogenital fistulas are common in our practice. The only way to combat this scourge is through prevention through information, education and communication.

Epidemiologic and Therapeutic Aspect of Urogenital Fistula Following Obstetric and Gynecologic Surgeries Repaired at the Nkwen Baptist Hospital

Introduction: Urogenital fistula is an abnormal communication between the urinary and the genital systems. It may occur following vaginal deliveries or following pelvic surgeries. Data concerning urogenital fistula post-surgery is limited and we have noticed in recent years in Sub-Saharan Africa, an increase in the burden of iatrogenic urogenital fistula. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology, clinical profiles and therapeutic aspects of urogenital fistula following obstetric and gynaecologic surgeries repaired at the Nkwen Baptist Hospital Bamenda. Materials/Methods: This was a longitudinal descriptive study with a retrospective and prospective phase carried out at the Nkwen Baptist Hospital for 5 months. However the complete duration of the study was about 17 months. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire containing socio-demographic information, clinical features, and therapeutic methods used. We used the statistical software SPSS (Social Package for Statistical Sciences) V 26.0 for data analysis. Results: The number of participants in the study was 40. The mean age was 43.5 years (+/- 13.3) ranging from 16 - 74 years. The prevalence of urogenital fistula post obstetric and gynecologic surgeries at the Nkwen Baptist hospital was 64.6%. The most common symptom was urine leakage and the most common surgery that exposed the patient to the urogenital fistula was total abdominal hysterectomy (60%) followed by caesarean section (35%). The different indications for these surgeries were mostly symptomatic leiomyoma (70.8 %) and prolonged labor (64.2%) respectively. The different types of fistula encountered were Vesicovaginal fistula (55%), Ureterovaginal fistula 40% and Vesicoutetrine fistula 5%. The different treatment modalities used were trans abdominal (77.5%) and transvaginal repair (22.5%). The overall repair success rate after one month was 85%. Conclusion: There is high burden of urogenital fistula post surgeries in our setting. Having more specialists trained in obstetric and gynaecologic procedures may help in the prevention of such an event.

The choice of surgical approach in the treatment of vesico-vaginal fistulae

Vesico-vaginal fistula is a global healthcare problem that has a high prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa,where obstetric complications lead to the development of this condition.Despite this,comparatively few fistula repairs are performed in well-resourced countries,where iatrogenic injury is the leading aetiological factor.As a consequence,much of our knowledge results from the experience of relatively few fistula surgeons in areas of high prevalence borne out of large case series or retrospective cohorts rather than high level evidence.At present,debate surrounds the exact timing of repair and the most appropriate surgical approach for this condition.Certain fistulae can be selected for conservative management,while those that do not demonstrate factors associated with spontaneous closure can be selected for surgery.Fistula surgeons should be aware of several potential repair options and the principles of contemporary fistula surgery,as the first attempt at repair is likely to be the best opportunity to achieve a successful outcome.We review the available literature and provide evidence on the optimal timing of repair,the appropriate surgical approach and the use of tissue interpositioning in fistula surgery.

Urological Complications of Gynecological and Obstetric Interventions: Management at the Ignace Deen National Hospital—University Hospital of Conakry (Guinea)

Introduction: pelvic abdominal surgery may be associated with urological complications requiring reoperation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the urological surgical complications of gynecological and obstetric procedures conducted at the Ignace Deen University Hospital of Conakry in Guinea. Methodology: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study of ten years, from 1 January 2006 to 21 December 2015. Results: Of 14,500 patients hospitalized in the maternity ward during the study period, 31 patients had secondary urological complications during gynecological or obstetric intervention 0.2%). The mean age of the patients was 34.77 years (range: 17 to 58 years). The mean duration of hospital stay was 13.29 days (range: 3 to 28 days). Signs of complication were mainly postoperative abdominal pain (64%, n = 20), vaginal urine leakage (19.35%, n = 6) and vaginal bleeding (9.68% n = 3). The diagnosis was mainly confirmed by ultrasound (70.45%, n = 31). The lesions were primarily ureteric (77.42%, n = 17) or on the urethral wounds (8.12%, n = 12). Urological complications mostly occurred during hysterectomy (41.94%, n = 13) and caesarean section (32.26%, n = 10). Repair procedures included uretero-vesical reimplantation (58.06%, n = 18), vesico-vaginal fistuloraphy (22.58%, n = 7), vesico-uterine fistuloraphy (12.90%, n = 4) and temporary ureterostomy (6.45%, n = 2). Treatment were successful in 28 patients (90.32%) and a lethality of 9.68% (n = 3) was recorded. Conclusion: Urological surgical complications of obstetric gynecological surgeries were mostly related to hysterectomy and Caesarean section performed by low-skilled surgeons, from peripheral facilities. Prevention measures should include better training and follow-up of practitioners from peripheral health facilities.