Hole that develops in the birth canal as a result of childbirth
Medical condition
Obstetric fistula
Diagram of maternal and foetal sequelae of prolonged obstructed labour, highlighting areas that are at high risk of developing obstetric fistula(s).
Specialty
Urology, gynecology
Symptoms
Incontinence of urine or feces[1]
Complications
Depression, infertility, social isolation[1]
Usual onset
Childbirth[1]
Risk factors
Obstructed labor, poor access to medical care, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy[1][2]
Diagnostic method
Based on symptoms, supported methylene blue[3]
Prevention
Appropriate use of cesarean section[1]
Treatment
Surgery, urinary catheter, counseling[1][3]
Frequency
2 million (developing world), rare (developed world)[1]
Obstetric fistula is a medical condition in which a hole develops in the birth canal as a result of childbirth.[1][2] This can be between the vagina and rectum, ureter, or bladder.[1][4] It can result in incontinence of urine or feces.[1] Complications may include depression, infertility, and social isolation.[1]
Risk factors include obstructed labor, poor access to medical care, malnutrition, and teenage pregnancy.[1][2] The underlying mechanism is poor blood flow to the affected area for a prolonged period of time.[1] Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and may be supported by use of methylene blue.[3]
Obstetric fistulae are almost entirely preventable with appropriate use of cesarean section.[1] Treatment is typically by surgery.[1] If treated early, the use of a urinary catheter may help with healing.[3] Counseling may also be useful.[1] An estimated 2 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Arab region, and Latin America have the condition, with about 75,000 new cases developing a year.[1] It occurs very rarely in the developed world and is considered a disease of poverty.[5]
^ abcdefghijklmnopq"Obstetric fistula". UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
^ abc"10 facts on obstetric fistula". WHO. May 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
^ abcdCreanga AA, Genadry RR (November 2007). "Obstetric fistulas: a clinical review". International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 99 (Suppl 1): S40-6. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2007.06.021. PMID 17868675. S2CID 23859968.
^Setchell ME, Hudson CN (2013). Shaw's Textbook of Operative Gynaecology - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 370. ISBN 978-8131234815.
^Disch L, Hawkesworth M (2015). The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theory. Oxford University Press. p. 821. ISBN 9780199328598.
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It is often caused by childbirth (in which case it is known as an obstetricfistula), when a prolonged labor presses the unborn child tightly against...
spokesperson for Virgin Unite and campaigns to raise awareness of obstetricfistula. Imbruglia was born on 4 February 1975, in Sydney, Australia, second...
childbirth. Rectovaginal fistulas are often the result of trauma during childbirth (in which case it is known as obstetricfistula), with increased risk...
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on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019. "Freedom From Fistula | obstetricfistula caused by obstructed childbirth". www.freedomfromfistula.org...
incontinence, inability to get pregnant, difficulty giving birth, obstetricfistula, and fatal bleeding. Infibulation also referred to placing a clasp...
West Africa Fistula Center. The Aberdeen Women's Centre is one of the few locations on the African continent offering obstetricfistula repair for women...
Mamitu Gashe is an Ethiopian surgeon who is a specialist in repairing obstetricfistula, and was named by the BBC in its 100 Women list of 2018. She had decided...
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maternal exhaustion, fetal distress, and other complications including obstetricfistula. Placental abruption is separation of the placenta from the uterus...
fistula. Fulguration of the fistula can also be done via cystoscopy in cases of small fistulas. Endometriosis Obstetricfistula Shanmugasundaram, R.; Gopalakrishnan...
father of obstetrics and gynaecology in Egypt and was a pioneer in obstetricfistula Nubar Pasha Osman Pasha Omar Pasha Latas Piyale Pasha Qassim Pasha...
medical services might be unavailable, it can lead to eclampsia, obstetricfistula, infant mortality, or maternal death. For mothers who are older than...
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