Vesico Vaginal Fistula - Negligence
A vesico-vaginal fistula is the most common type of urogenital fistula in women. It is an abnormal tract or tunnel between the vagina and the bladder that results in urine being expelled from the bladder into the vagina and to the outside spontaneously. They are caused by urologic trauma to the bladder during a surgery, such as during a hysterectomy or other GYN surgery. In the third world countries, a vesico-vaginal fistula is most commonly caused by a prolonged labor.
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^^ back to the topOur gynaecology negligence solicitors deal with personal injury compensation claims for vesico-vaginal fistula arising due to medical negligence by a healthcare practitioner. We deal with claims using the no win no fee scheme. For free advice on vesico-vaginal fistula medical negligence compensation claims just email our offices or complete the contact form or call our helpline.
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^^ back to the topThe earliest evidence of a vesico-vaginal fistula was discovered in 1923 in the examination of a mummified body dating back to 2050 BC. There was a large vesico-vaginal fistula found in the body. In 950 AD, the vesico-vaginal fistula was commented on as was its relationship between having children too early and having a long labor. Surgical repair of a VVF was first described in 1663. It described using swan quills to put together the edges of the fistula. In the 1800s, treating VVFs were considered more commonplace using silver or lead wire to close the defect. Many doctors also treated VVFs with silver nitrate, which had minimal usage except in small VVFs. Other doctors of the era used a suprapubic approach to closing vesico-vaginal fistulae. Preoperative catheters were used to make sure there is no damage to the ureters in repairing the fistula.
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^^ back to the topIn developing countries, the most common cause of a VVF is obstructed labor (97 percent). Necrosis from pressure on the tissue by the baby’s head results in a defect created in the vaginal wall that extends into the bladder. The rate of vesico-vaginal fistulae in developing countries such as Nigeria is about 350 women per 100,000 deliveries done in a hospital. It has been estimated that the number of VVFs in Nigeria that have yet to be repaired are between 800,000 and 1,000,000. The prevalence is also high in some Central Asian countries, in the Middle East, in Latin America and in some parts of the former Soviet Union. Cultures where having babies at a young age are at higher risk of getting VVFs.
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^^ back to the topIn developed countries, VVF still is the most common type of urogenital fistula. These happen because of gynecological surgery. For example, following a total abdominal hysterectomy, the rate of VVF is about 0.5-2 percent. Other data indicate that the rate is about 5000 women in the US each year. Most VVFs occurred as a result of benign conditions of the pelvis. Obstetric trauma accounted for about ten percent of cases of VVF. Radiotherapy accounted for 5 percent of cases and cancer surgery accounted for 5 percent of cases. In general, the VVFs in developed countries are due to punctures by surgical instruments and are generally much smaller than the VVFs found in developing countries. Obstetric trauma is often that made by forceps deliveries, cesarean deliveries, ruptured uterus and hysterectomy. Urologic surgery can also contribute to getting a VVF.
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^^ back to the topSo what does a vesico-vaginal fistula act like? The greatest symptom is the uncontrolled leakage of urine from the vagina. There can also be an increase in vaginal discharge due to irritation of the vaginal wall with urine. The drainage of urine can be continuous in a large VVF or can be intermittent and made worse as the pressure in the bladder fills.
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^^ back to the topThe injury may show up fairly quickly. In fact, about 90 percent of these fistulae show up within 7-30 days after the surgical insult. Obstetrical fistulae with damage to the anterior vaginal wall show up within 24 hours of delivery about 75 percent of the time. If the fistula is due to radiation, however, it can take as long as thirty years to develop a vesico-vaginal fistula from the time of initial injury. It is all quite variable. If the VVF was due to radiation, there can also be symptoms of radiation cystitis, bladder contraction and hematuria.
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^^ back to the topA vesico-vaginal fistula can be identified on visual inspection of the vagina. It can also be done using a cystoscope, where the doctor looks into the bladder with a camera. The doctor can instill dye into the bladder and look for the dye to come out of the vagina. This is a relatively sure sign of a vesico-vaginal fistula.
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^^ back to the topThe VVF is best treated by surgically closing the inflamed fistula. Antibiotics can be used to sterilize the area before the surgery is done. If there is tissue death in the area of the fistula due to lack of blood supply, the doctor can restore that blood supply from another source. A catheter is needed to be worn in the bladder for many weeks or months until the fistula fully heals.
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^^ back to the topFor free advice without further obligation on vesico-vaginal fistula arising due to medical negligence by a healthcare practitioner, just call the helpline, email our offices or complete the contact form.
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