Obstetric fistula is a state in which a hole develops in the birth canal as a result of childbirth. It would be between the vagina and rectum, ureter, or bladder. It may result in incontinence of urine or feces. It may also cause infertility, depression, and social isolation. Obstetric fistula most commonly occurs in poor, rural areas of Africa and Asia where the women affected live in dirt-floor dwellings and lack access to running water and sanitization.
Symptoms:
Urinary or fecal incontinence, flatulence which would be continual or only happen at night.
Foul vaginal discharge.
Continuous vaginal/urinary tract infections.
Irritation/pain in the vagina or in the surrounding area.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Foot drop i.e paralysis of the lower limbs caused by nerve damage, that makes it impossible for women to walk, and also causes two-thirds of the women to become amenorrhoeic.
Prevention:
Prevention comes up in the form of access to obstetrical care, support from health care professionals throughout the pregnancy phase, promoting the practice of gap between births, family planning, supporting women’s education, and prohibiting early marriage.
Fistula prevention includes strategies to educate communities/people regarding social, cultural, physiological factors of that condition.
It is essential to have a timely and safe delivery, which includes availability and access to obstetric care, and also safe cesarean sections for women in obstructed labor.
Treatment:
Surgery: Treatment is available through reconstructive surgery. Fistula repair has a 91% success rate. Fistula repair was attempted in 322 (83%) cases of whom 289 (89.71%) were successfully repaired as in March 2019.
Catheterization:
Cases of fistula can be treated by urethral catheterization when early identified.
The Foley catheter is done as it has a balloon to hold it in the place. The indwelling Foley catheter removes urine from the bladder.
