Obstetric Fistula – An Unceasing Scourge in the Developing World

Obstetric Fistula in Ilorin, Nigeria

The obstetric urogenital fi stula has caused women misery ever since they fi rst started delivering children. It was once common worldwide, but with the advent of safe obstetric care during the early part of the last century, the condition has become rare in rich countries. Urogenital fi stulae do still occur in developed countries, but unlike in the developing world, they are usually a complic...

Obstetric vesicovaginal fistula as an international public-health problem.

Vesicovaginal fistula is a devastating injury in which an abnormal opening forms between a woman's bladder and vagina, resulting in urinary incontinence. This condition is rare in developed countries, but in developing countries it is a common complication of childbirth resulting from prolonged obstructed labour. Estimates suggest that at least 3 million women in poor countries have unrepaired ...

Complications of Fistula Repair Surgery

In the developing world, the true incidence of obstetric fistulas is unknown, as many patients with this condition suffer in silence and isolation. Obstetric fistulas destroy the lives of many young women in the developing countries. Some estimates place the worldwide prevalence as high as 2 million women worldwide. In some rural areas of Africa, the fistula rate may approach 5-10 per 1000 deli...

The obstetric vesicovaginal fistula in the developing world.

Campaign to End Fistula with special focus on Ethiopia – A walk to beautiful 1 Is there a role for ultrasound?

Introduction A scourge from time long past that we thought removed from the surface of the earth has affected humanity again, or more correctly, part of humanity. A misery so all-embracing that it is incomprehensible to people of the Western world is everyday reality for hundreds of thousands of young women in Africa and other parts of the developing world. A disease by the somewhat strange nam...