Evaluation of etiology, characteristics, and treatment of patients with vesicovaginal fistula observed in rural Africa.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the etiology, characteristics, and treatment of patients with diagnosis of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) due to labor in rural Africa following surgery in a hospital with western standards according to the current literature.

Methods: In this retrospective large case series, 56 patients undergoing surgery due to prediagnosis of VVF and then followed-up regularly in Nyala-Sudan Turkey Training and Research Hospital between December 2018 and February 2019 were evaluated. The information related to the ages, mode, and the number of deliveries, previous histories of fistula repair surgery, postoperative success and complication rates were gathered.

Results: The absence of urine from the vagina during the examination with methylene blue was defined as success. The overall success rate was 84.3 %. The vaginal route was most commonly preferred for fistula repair surgery and its success rate and efficiency were found to be higher. In addition, a low complication rate was observed as 3.9 %. A higher rate of association was observed between Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FMG/C) and fistula. Especially FGM/C type 3 was frequently seen with a rate of 61.7 %. This type of FGM/C was observed in all patients undergoing reoperation. The main causes of recurrence of fistula were vaginal delivery within 6 months of repair or presence of multiple fistulas at diagnosis.

Conclusions: The surgery and follow-up process should be individualized after this examination based on the condition, clinical picture of the patient and surgeon's experience. Additionally worldwide steps should be taken to prevent FGM/C as it is associated with many undesired outcomes including VVF.