Obstetric fistula
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| Obstetric fistula Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | N82. |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 619 |
| MeSH | D014624 |
Obstetric fistula (or vaginal fistula) is a severe medical condition in which a fistula (hole) develops between either the rectum and vagina (see rectovaginal fistula) or between the bladder and vagina (see vesicovaginal fistula) after severe or failed childbirth, when adequate medical care is not available.
Causes
The fistula usually develops when a prolonged labor presses the unborn child so tightly in the birth canal that blood flow is cut off to the surrounding tissues, which necrotise and eventually rot away. More rarely, the injury can be caused by female circumcision, poorly performed abortions, or pelvic fractures.
Presentation
The resulting disorders typically include incontinence, severe infections and ulcerations of the vaginal tract, and often paralysis caused by nerve damage. Sufferers from this disorder are usually also subject to severe social stigma due to odor, perceptions of uncleanliness, a mistaken assumption of venereal disease and, in some cases, the inability to have children.
Risk factors
Primary risk factors are early and/or closely-spaced pregnancies and lack of access to emergency obstetric care; a 1993 study in Nigeria found that 55 percent of the victims were under 19 years of age, and 94 percent gave birth at home or in poorly equipped local clinics. When available at all, cesarean sections and other medical interventions are usually not performed until after tissue damage has already been done.
Incidence/prevalence
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 women develop obstetric fistulas each year and over two million women currently live with fistula injuries.[1]
References
External links
- Campaign to End Fistula - a global campaign launched by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners in 2003 to eliminate the condition of obstetric fistula.
- Virgin Unite - End Fistula - working with Natalie Imbruglia and the UNFPA to help raise awareness, provide treatment and support for the women affected by this devastating disease.
- Matercare International - a nonprofit organization that provides training for doctors and surgery for women affected with obstetric fistula.
- One By One - a nonprofit organization working to eliminate obstetric fistula.
- http://www.fistulahospital.org/
- http://worldwidefistulafund.org/
- LOVE LABOR LOSS - a film-based campaign to raise awareness about obstetric fistula.
- http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/immigration/02120901.htm
- EngenderHealth - an international nonprofit organization that works on maternal health issues, including obstretric fistula.
- VIDEO In Transit - a video about rape victims in the Congo suffering fistula
- The International Organization For Women and Development, Inc. (IOWD) - a nonprofit whose goals are to:
- Develop a sustainable program for the repair of vesico-vaginal fistulas.
- Provide an adequate environment for post operative care for the fistula women.
- Provide educational and vocational training for fistula-repaired patients.
- SafeHands for Mothers - a nonprofit organization working to combat the unnecessarily high number of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in developing countries through production of high quality films and visual materials to support government and non governmental training and advocacy programs.Template:Human-repro-stub
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
