Experience with a low-pressure colonic pouch (Mainz II) urinary diversion for irreparable vesicovaginal fistula and bladder extrophy in East Africa

Mainz II urinary diversion in low-resource settings: patient outcomes in women with irreparable fistula in Malawi

BACKGROUND

Obstructed labor leading to a vesicovaginal fistula remains a devastating outcome of childbirth in low-resource countries. Women with an irreparable vesicovaginal fistula may be candidates for a urinary diversion, such as the Mainz II modified ureterosigmoidostomy procedure. Previous reviews state that the procedure should be considered in low-resource countries. However, given the limited duration of postoperative follow-up, these studies do not adequately represent the long-term morbidity and mortality that is likely associated with this procedure. We present data that strongly support avoiding the procedure in low-resource countries.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative status of the patient (dead, alive, lost to follow-up) and time to death following the Mainz II procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a case series including 21 patients who underwent a Mainz II urinary diversion from April 2013 to June 2015 for management of irreparable vesicovaginal fistula at the Fistula Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi. Patients were seen postoperatively at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, followed by every 6 to 12 months thereafter. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize the data.

RESULTS

During the postoperative period, 8 (38.1%; 8/21) patients died, 5 (23.8%; 5/21) were lost to follow-up, and 8 (38.1%; 8/21) are currently alive and followed up at the Fistula Care Centre. We strongly suspect that 7 of the 8 deaths were related to the procedure given that the patients had illnesses that exacerbated the metabolic consequences of the procedure. The eighth patient died after being attacked by robbers. Unfortunately, the exact cause of death could not be determined for these patients. Given that most of the suspected illnesses would be treatable in an otherwise healthy patient, even in this low-resource setting, we surmised that the metabolic compromise from the Mainz II procedure likely contributed to their untimely death. The average time from procedure to death was 58 months, with the earliest death at 10 months and the most recent at 7 years after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

The Mainz II procedure is an option for patients with irreparable fistula. However, it should likely not be performed in low-resource countries given the long-term complications that often cannot be adequately addressed in these settings, leading to significant morbidity and mortality.

Complex circumferential obstetric fistula-a urologist's worst nightmare

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Circumferential vesicourethrovaginal fistula is a severe form of obstetric injury that is challenging to repair and carries a poor prognosis related to eventual continence. Here, we report the successful repair of a circumferential vesicovaginal fistula associated with near total loss of the urethra. The use the anterior bladder flap technique along with an autologous rectus sheath sling resulted in the creation of an effective continence unit.

METHODS

A 31-year-old woman had a history of obstructed labor resulting in intrauterine death followed by trans-abdominal hysterectomy for postpartum hemorrhage. Since then she had had total urinary incontinence. She had an attempted repair through the vaginal route, which had failed. Physical examination and endoscopic evaluation revealed a large vesicourethrovaginal fistula with near total loss of the urethra leaving only the meatus. Intraoperatively, we found that it was a large circumferential defect in the infratrigonal region with no anterior bladder wall left at the site of the fistula.

RESULTS

We performed an anterior bladder flap procedure as described by Tanagho along with an autologous rectus sheath sling for additional support. Postoperatively, the patient was completely continent.

CONCLUSIONS

The anterior bladder onlay flap technique, which has been used extensively for female urethral reconstruction in developed countries, along with an autologous rectus sheath sling is an effective technique for management of circumferential fistulas allowing good continence. Incorporation of this technique into the armamentarium of surgeons managing fistulas in developing countries will go a long way toward helping this unfortunate group of women with this morbid complication of obstructed labor.

Research in Obstetric Fistula: Addressing Gaps and Unmet Needs

Although obstetric fistula has likely plagued women since the beginning of time, very little research proportionally exists. This article summarizes the most substantial research on the topic and delineates research gaps and future needs. Existing research demonstrates that access to care is the underlying cause of obstetric fistula and that the first attempt at closure holds the highest chance at success, ranging between 84% and 94%. For simple cases, 10 days of a catheter is sufficient, although what constitutes as simple is unclear. Circumferential fistulas are at high risk for ongoing urethral continence. Psychosocial programs are helpful for all women, but those who are "dry" tend to reintegrate into society, whereas those still leaking need additional support. Prenatal care and scheduled cesarean delivery are recommended to avoid another fistula. Gaps in research include accurate prevalence and incidence, interventions to improve access to care, surgical technique, especially for complex cases, and ways to prevent ongoing incontinence, among many others. In all areas, more rigorous research is needed.

Quality of life among women in Bangladesh following ileal conduit urinary diversion operations for irreparable vesicovaginal fistula and bladder exstrophy: observational study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the quality of life (QOL) of fistula patients in Bangladesh who have undergone ileal conduit (IC) urinary diversion operations, and to assess whether the risks and ethical challenges involved, outweigh the reality of leaving a woman with urinary incontinence for the rest of her life.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

LAMB Hospital, Bangladesh.

POPULATION

Seventeen women who had undergone IC between February 2012 and March 2016: 14 women previously had irreparable obstetric fistulas and three had bladder exstrophy.

METHODS

Demographic, obstetric, IC-related, stigma and discrimination information were collected by questionnaire. Univariate analysis was done using the two-sided t-test for comparison of differences before and after IC surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME METHODS

Change in stigma and discrimination scores. Health-related QOL assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey.

RESULTS

Of the 17 women, 14 (82.3%) felt they were cured of their fistula disease. Three complained of occasional leakage due to insufficient seal of the bag, mainly at night, and all but one experienced no limits to their daily activities. Stigma and discrimination scores were significantly lower after having the IC surgery. The mean difference from when the woman had a fistula to when she had an IC for stigma score was 3.17 (1.12-4.16, P < 0.001), and for discrimination score was 3 (1.9-4.1, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Overall, there has been improved QOL following IC among the women in this study and all would recommend IC to women in the same situation. They remain chronic patients with some physical symptoms, but are well re-integrated back into their communities.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Improved QOL following ileal conduit in women with persistent fistula related disorder in Bangladesh.

A rare case of irreparable vesico-vaginal fistula of 45 years duration successfully managed by urinary diversion

In developing countries most of the fistulas occur as a catastrophic complication of obstructed labor in young women. Constant dribbling, wetness, and stink lead to social outcasting of patients of vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) making their life miserable. In most of the cases, timely surgery taking all required precautions is successful. In small number of cases, fistula is irreparable. Under such circumstances urinary diversion helps. Very few cases are reported in literature, where patients have endured fistula for more than 40 years. A case report of a patient of VVF, who suffered for 45 years without seeking any treatment because of prevailing circumstances is presented here. The fistula was irreparable. Urinary diversion was the only option available. She was successfully managed by urinary diversion with an ileal conduit. Now patient is leading a contented life.