Panzi score as a parsimonious indicator of urogenital fistula severity derived from Goh and Waaldijk classifications

Factors associated with surgical repair success of female genital fistula in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Experiences of the Fistula Care Plus Project, 2017-2019

Objective

We sought to document outcomes and factors associated with surgical success in hospitals supported by the Fistula Care Plus Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 2017–2019.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study analysing routine repair data on women with Female Genital Fistula. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with successful fistula repair.

Results

A total of 895 women were included in this study, with a mean age of 34 years (±13 years). The majority were married or in union (57.4%) and living in rural areas (82.0%), while nearly half were farmers (45.9%). The average duration living with fistula was 8 years (±7). Vesicovaginal (70.5%) and complex (59.8%) fistulas were the most common fistula types. Caesarean section (34.7%), obstructed labour (27.0%) and prolonged labour (23.0%) were the main aetiologies, with the causal deliveries resulting in stillbirth in 88% of cases. The vaginal route (74.9%) was the primary route for surgical repair. The median duration of bladder catheterization after surgery was 14 days (interquartile range [IQR] 7–21). Multivariate analysis revealed that Waaldijk type I fistula (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.36–5.40), no previous surgery (aOR:2.63, 95% CI:1.43–3.19), repair at Panzi Hospital (aOR: 2.71, 95% CI:1.36–5.40), and bladder catheterization for less than 10 days (aOR:13.94, 95% CI: 4.91–39.55) or 11–14 days (aOR: 6.07, 95% CI: 2.21–15.31) were associated with better repair outcomes.

Conclusion

The Fistula Care Plus Project in the DRC recorded good fistula repair outcomes. However, further efforts are needed to promote adequate management of fistula cases.

Contemporary Issues in Obstetric Fistula

We discuss a variety of contemporary issues relating to obstetric fistula. These include definitions of these injuries, the etiologic mechanisms by which fistulas occur, the role of specialist fistula centers in diagnosis and management, the classification of fistulas, and the assessment of surgical outcomes. We also review the growing need for complex reconstructive surgical procedures, follow-up challenges, and the transition to a fistula-free world in which other pathologies (such as pelvic organ prolapse) will be of increasing importance. Finally, we discuss the need to develop responsive systems of maternal health care that treat women with competence, compassion, respect, and fairness.

An International Continence Society (ICS) report on the terminology for female pelvic floor fistulas

INTRODUCTION

The terminology for female pelvic floor fistulas (PFF) needs to be defined and organized in a clinically based consensus Report.

METHODS

This Report combines the input of members of the International Continence Society (ICS) assisted at intervals by external referees. Appropriate core clinical categories and a sub-classification were developed to give a coding to definitions. An extensive process of 19 rounds of internal and external review was involved to examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus).

RESULTS

A terminology report for female PFF, encompassing 416 (188 NEW) separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically based with the most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction and PFF. Female-specific imaging (ultrasound, radiology, and magnetic resonance imaging) and conservative and surgical PFF managements as well as appropriate figures have been included to supplement and clarify the text. Interval (5-10 years) review is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible.

CONCLUSION

A consensus-based terminology report for female PFF has been produced to aid clinical practice and research.

Characteristics of Obstetric and Iatrogenic Urogenital Fistulas in Burkina Faso: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective

To compare the sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of obstetric urogenital fistulas (OF) and iatrogenic urogenital fistulas (IF) treated in seven centers in Burkina Faso. Material and Methods. We carried out a cross-sectional study over a seven years' period (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2016). We considered as iatrogenic all urogenital fistulas (UGF) occurred after elective caesarean section, gynecologic surgery (hysterectomy, myomectomy, and prolapse repair), or induced abortion. UGF following vaginal delivery after prolonged labor without obstetric maneuvers or caesarean section were considered as obstetric. UGF caused by other mechanisms (emergency caesarian section, congenital, and traumatic) were excluded from this study. The statistical analysis was carried out using version 14 of the STATA software. A logistic regression model was used to compare the two groups.

Results

310 cases of UGF were included. IF accounted for 25.8% (n = 80) versus 74.2% (n = 230) for OF. The median age was 35 years for IF and 35.38 years for OF. The vesicovaginal fistulas were predominant (74.5%) in the two groups. All circumferential fistulas were found in the OF group. OF were frequently associated with residence in rural areas (OR = 1.8; CI = [1.05–3.1]), low level of education (OR = 5.4; CI = [2.3–12.9]), and a height under 158 cm (OR = 3.4 CI = [1.7–6.6]). Vaginal sclerosis was less common among IF (OR = 2.2; CI = [1–4.6]). The failure of surgical treatment after 3 months was more associated with OF (OR = 4.7; CI = [1.1–20.5]).

Conclusion

OF were the most common, frequently affecting short women living in rural area and with low level of schooling. Fistulas were also more severe in the OF group. IF gave better results after surgical repair.

The mobile surgical outreach program for management of patients with genital fistula in the Democratic Republic of Congo

OBJECTIVE

To describe components of the mobile surgical outreach (MSO) program as a model of care delivery for women with genital fistula; present program results; and discuss operational strengths and challenges.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of routinely collected health data from women treated via the MSO program (2013-2018). The program was developed at Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo to meet the needs of women with fistula living in remote provinces, where travel is prohibited. It includes healthcare delivery, medico-surgical training, and community sensitization components.

RESULTS

The MSO team cared for 1517 women at 41 clinic sites across 18 provinces over the study period. Average age at presentation was 31 years (range, 1-81 years). Most women (n=1359, 89.6%) presented with vesicovaginal fistula. Most surgeries were successful, and few women reported residual incontinence postoperatively. Local teams were receptive and engaged in clinical skills training and public health education efforts.

CONCLUSION

The MSO program addresses the backlog of patients awaiting fistula surgery and provides a template for a national strategic plan to treat and ultimately end fistula in DRC. It offers a patient-centered approach that brings medico-surgical care and psychosocial support to women with fistula in their own communities.

[Model predicting failure in surgical repair of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula]

Introduction

Il y a plus de 2 millions de cas de fistule génitale en Afrique subsaharienne et en Asie. Elles surviennent dans les zones où l'accès aux soins à l'accouchement est limité ou de qualité médiocre et où peu d'hôpitaux offrent les interventions chirurgicales correctives nécessaires. L'objectif de cette étude est de développer un score prédictif permettant d'identifier les facteurs influant sur l'échec de la réparation chirurgicale de la fistule obstétricale vésico-vaginale (ERCF) dans la partie Sud-Est de la province du Haut-Katanga.

Méthodes

Il s'agit d'une étude transversale analytique menée sur 384 femmes porteuses d'une fistule obstétricale vésico-vaginale ayant bénéficié d'une prise en charge chirurgicale. Nous avons procédé par une analyse univariée puis multivariée. La discrimination du score était évaluée à l'aide de la courbe Receiving Operating Characteristics (ROC) et du C-index et la calibration du score selon le test d'Hosmer-Lemeshow.

Résultats

La réparation chirurgicale de la fistule obstétricale vésico-vaginale s'était soldée par un échec dans 17,19% des cas (66/384). Après modélisation logistique, quatre critères ressortent comme facteurs prédictifs d'ERCF: la présence d'une fibrose cicatricielle (ORa=15,22; IC95%: 7,34-31,58), la présence de 2 fistules ou plus (ORa=7,41; IC95%: 3,05-17,97), l'abord trans-vésical comme voie d'abord (ORa=4,26; IC95%: 1,92-9,44) et l'atteinte urétrale (ORa=3,93; IC95%: 1,99-7,77). L'aire sous la courbe ROC du score est de 0,8759 avec une sensibilité de 57,58%, une spécificité de 91,82% et une valeur prédictive positive de 91,25%.