Impact of a program of physiotherapy and health education on the outcome of obstetric fistula surgery.

Objective: Surgery is the only successful treatment for most obstetric fistulae. The present study measured the impact of a structured program of pre- and postoperative physiotherapy and health education on the outcome of surgery for obstetric fistula.

Methods: We compared the postoperative outcomes of 2 consecutive groups of women with obstetric fistulae who were recruited and followed-up by 2 local nongovernmental organizations at a hospital in Tanguiéta, Benin. The first group of women (n=99) had fistula repair using standardized techniques. The second group (n=112) had a standardized surgical approach plus a structured program of pre- and postoperative health education and physiotherapy.

Results: The program had a significant positive impact on recovery in general and on urinary incontinence in particular. After physiotherapy, the odds of recovery were 2.72 times greater for women in the physiotherapy group than for control patients, and the probability of postoperative stress incontinence was considerably higher for patients in the control group than for those in the physiotherapy group (P<0.001).

Conclusion: A structured program of health education and physiotherapy by experienced nurses and physiotherapists improves the likelihood of a successful outcome after surgical repair of obstetric fistula.