A local study conducted by the research center at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) has revealed that cesarean delivery is a cause of urogenital fistula in females.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Bader, Executive Director of the Research Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reconstructive Surgery consultant, said that the study counted 32 cases in the past years and discussed the causes of women's urinary fistula in patients referred to the Urology and Reconstructive Surgery Departments of Women's Specialized Hospital and Urology Department in the Main Hospital.
The study has shown that the cesarean section was the common cause in 22 cases; 69%, and only 8 cases; 22% as a result of hysterectomy. Surgical operations to treat these complicated cases had a success rate of 75% from the first time; same percentage in global centers, with a small percentage left that needs more interventions.
The study was conducted by Dr. Sumaya Othman, under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Al-Bader, Consultant of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reconstructive Surgery, in addition to Dr. Ola Malibari, Dr. Ashraf Dawood, and Dr. Bader Al Mesaieed.
Dr. Al-Bader stated that the urogenital fistula is rare and considered one of the surgical complications that can lead to great social and psychological problems and has a negative effect on women's lives. He explained that urogenital fistula is an abnormal channel connecting two organs that normally shall not be connected, and that such connection is typically between the ureter, bladder or urethra and the vagina, cervical or uterus, causing continuous leakage of urine and leading to irritation and inflammation of the area, apart from its effect on cleanness.
Al-Bader added: "Developing countries, such as some African countries, usually develop urogenital fistula due to complications during the troubled vaginal delivery because there is no possibility of cesarean delivery when normal delivery is difficult. Birth-related causes account for 91 to 96% of the cases there, while in the developed and western countries, Two-thirds of cases occur as a result of complications of surgical interventions; such as hysterectomy, and only 11% as a result of birth-related causes.