Knowledge Corner - Obstetric Fistula

Prof. Dr. FerdousiIslam(Lipi)

Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Dhaka Medical College& Hospital

Symptoms of obstetric fistula include:

Continuous dribbling of urine and no urge for urination

Flatulence, urinary or fecal incontinence,

Foul-smelling discharge from birth canal,

repeated infection in the urinary tract or birth canal,

Irritation or pain in the birth canal or surrounding areas,

Pain during intercourse.

If left untreated, Obstetric fistula leads to:

Continuous leaking of urine, feces, and blood.

To avoid the dripping, women limit water intake and liquid which potentially  leads to dangerous cases of dehydration.

Ulceration and infections can persist as well as kidney disease and kidney failure.

Chances of conceiving a healthy baby is limited.

WHERE CAN I GET HELP?

The following UNFPA supported government medical institutes around the country provide treatment for obstetric fistula:

1. Dhaka Medical College Hospital

2.Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital

3.Mymensingh Medical College Hospital

4.Rajshahi Medical College Hospital

5.Rangpur Medical College Hospital

6.Bogra Medical College Hospital

7.Barisal Medical College Hospital

8.Chittagong Medical College Hospital

9.Khulna Medical College Hospital

10. Sylhet Medical College Hospital

Operation and Recovery details:

The duration of the procedure to repair a fistula depends on the  size and complication. Smaller fistulas take a maximum of half an hour to repair, but larger ones are more complicated and can take between two and three hours. The success rates for obstetric fistula repair are high, 90% for small ones and 80% for more complicated cases.

-Compiled By Sohel Rana