Project description:ObjectiveWe evaluated residual incontinence, depression, and quality of life among Malawian women who had undergone vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair 12 or more months previously.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingFistula Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi.PopulationWomen who had undergone VVF repair in Lilongwe, Malawi at least 12 months prior to enrolment.MethodsSelf-report of urinary leakage was used to evaluate for residual urinary incontinence; depression was evaluated with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9; quality of life was evaluated with the King's Health Questionnaire.Main outcome measuresPrevalence and predictors of residual incontinence, quality of life scores, and prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation.ResultsFifty-six women (19.3%) reported residual urinary incontinence. In multivariable analyses, predictors of residual urinary incontinence included: pre-operative Goh type 3 [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 2.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61-5.27) or Goh type 4 1.08-2.78), positive postoperative cough stress test (aRR = 2.42; 95% CI 1.24-4.71) and the positive 1-hour postoperative pad test (aRR = 2.20; 95% CI 1.08-4.48). Women with Goh types 3 and 4 VVF reported lower quality of life scores. Depressive symptoms were reported in 3.5% of women; all reported residual urinary incontinence.ConclusionsWhile the majority of women reported improved outcomes in the years following surgical VVF repair, those with residual urinary incontinence had a poorer quality of life. Services are needed to identify and treat this at-risk group.Tweetable abstractNearly one in five women reported residual urinary incontinence at follow up, 12 or months after vesicovaginal fistula repair.
Project description:BackgroundObstetric fistula repair failure can result in increased depression, social isolation, financial burden for the woman, and fistula care programs. However, there is limited, comprehensive evidence on obstetric fistula repair failure in Sub-Saharan African countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of obstetric fistula repair failure and associated factors among women who underwent surgical repair in Sub-Saharan African countries.MethodsTo identify potential articles, a systematic search was done utilizing online databases (PubMed, Hinari, and Google Scholar). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Statement (PRISMA) guideline was used to report the review's findings. I2 test statistics were employed to examine study heterogeneity. A random-effects model was used to assess the pooled prevalence of obstetric fistula repair failure, and the association was determined using the log odds ratio. Publication bias was investigated using the funnel plot and Egger's statistical test at the 5% level of significance. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were done to identify potential sources of heterogeneity. The data were analyzed using STATA version 17 statistical software.ResultsA total of 24 articles with 9866 study participants from 13 Sub-Saharan African countries were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of obstetric fistula repair failure in sub-Saharan Africa was 24.92% [95% CI: 20.34-29.50%]. The sub-group analysis by country revealed that the highest prevalence was in Angola (58%, 95% CI: 53.20-62.80%) and the lowest in Rwanda (13.9, 95% CI: 9.79-18.01%). Total urethral damage [OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 2.09, 4.91], large fistula [OR = 3.09, 95% CI: (2.00, 4.10)], duration of labor [OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.76], and previous fistula repair [OR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.94, 3.45] were factors associated with obstetric fistula repair failure.ConclusionWomen who received surgical treatment for obstetric fistulas in Sub-Saharan African countries experienced more repair failures than the WHO standards. Obstetric fistula repair failure was affected by urethral damage, fistula size, duration of labor, types of fistula, and history of previous repairs. Therefore, we suggest policy measures specific to each country to provide special attention to the prevention of all risk factors, including poor nutrition, multiparty, obstructed labor, and maternal age, which can result in conditions like large fistulas, urethral damage, and repeat repair, in order to reduce obstetric fistula repair failure.
Project description:BackgroundFemale genital fistula is a devastating maternal complication of delivery in developing countries. We sought to analyse the incidence and proportion of fistula recurrence, residual urinary incontinence, and pregnancy after successful fistula closure in Guinea, and describe the delivery-associated maternal and child health outcomes.MethodsWe did a longitudinal study in women discharged with a closed fistula from three repair hospitals supported by EngenderHealth in Guinea. We recruited women retrospectively (via medical record review) and prospectively at hospital discharge. We used Kaplan-Meier methods to analyse the cumulative incidence, incidence proportion, and incidence ratio of fistula recurrence, associated outcomes, and pregnancy after successful fistula closure. The primary outcome was recurrence of fistula following discharge from repair hospital in all eligible women who consented to inclusion and could provide follow-up data.Findings481 women eligible for analysis were identified retrospectively (from Jan 1, 2012, to Dec 31, 2014; 348 women) or prospectively (Jan 1 to June 20, 2015; 133 women), and followed up until June 30, 2016. Median follow-up was 28·0 months (IQR 14·6-36·6). 73 recurrent fistulas occurred, corresponding to a cumulative incidence of 71 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 56·5-89·3) and an incidence proportion of 18·4% (14·8-22·8). In 447 women who were continent at hospital discharge, we recorded 24 cases of post-repair residual urinary incontinence, equivalent to a cumulative incidence of 23·1 per 1000 person-years (14·0-36·2), and corresponding to 10·3% (5·2-19·6). In 305 women at risk of pregnancy, the cumulative incidence of pregnancy was 106·0 per 1000 person-years, corresponding to 28·4% (22·8-35·0) of these women. Of 50 women who had delivered by the time of follow-up, only nine delivered by elective caesarean section. There were 12 stillbirths, seven delivery-related fistula recurrences, and one maternal death.InterpretationRecurrence of female genital fistula and adverse pregnancy-related maternal and child health outcomes were frequent in women after fistula repair in Guinea. Interventions are needed to safeguard the health of women after fistula repair.FundingBelgian Development Cooperation (DGD), Institute of Tropical Medicine of Antwerp (ITM), and Maferinyah Training and Research Center in Rural Health (Guinea).
Project description:Tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) have traditionally been managed surgically, but the endoscopic approach is widely performed as a less invasive alternative. Different closure techniques have been proposed with inconsistent results. An over-the-scope clip (OTSC) appears to be a reasonable option, but long-term results have not been well defined. We report the long-term outcomes of a complex case of successful closure of a benign refractory TEF using an OTSC after failed surgical management and esophageal stent placement.
Project description:Background Although obstetric fistula has been extensively eliminated in high-income countries due to comprehensive obstetric health care services, in developing countries including Ethiopia, many women and girls are still silently suffering from obstetric fistula due to early marriage, poor socioeconomic status, lack of access to skilled birth attendants, and limited awareness of obstetric fistula. Objective To determine the magnitude of women's awareness of obstetric fistula and its contributing factors in Ethiopia. Methods To perform this analysis, we strictly adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. To evaluate publication bias, we employed an Egger's test and an eye assessment of the funnel plot's symmetry. To look for signs of study heterogeneity, the Cochrane Q-test and I2 statistics were used. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to extract the data, and STATA version 14 was used to analyze it. Results A total of six studies involving 3,024 women were included. The pooled prevalence of women's awareness of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia was 41.24% (95% CI; 32.94%−49.54%). Urban residence (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.40–3.85), giving birth at a health institution (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.92–4.21), having secondary or above educational status (AOR = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.15–4.97), receiving antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.71–4.35), and participation in pregnant women's conferences (AOR = 4.64, 95% CI: 2.88–7.49) were factors associated with good awareness of obstetric fistula in women in Ethiopia. Conclusion The pooled prevalence of women's awareness of obstetric fistula was low. Urban residence, giving birth at a health institution, having secondary and above educational status, having antenatal care follow-up, and participating in pregnant women's conferences were factors associated with women's awareness of obstetric fistula. Therefore, enhancing women's awareness of obstetric fistula and promoting institutional delivery and antenatal follow-up is recommended. Furthermore, policymakers and stakeholders should empower women and pay particular attention to the neglected but important public health problem that is obstetric fistula.
Project description:IntroductionObstetric fistula is a birth injury that causes the vagina to open abnormally. As a result, women may experience urinary leakage, which can lead to isolation, depression, and a lower quality of life. Due to the scarcity of evidence regarding the average recovery time for obstetric fistula in Ethiopia, Therefore, this study aimed to assess the recovery time for women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia.MethodsBetween September and 8 November 2023, published studies were searched using online databases including PubMed, Hinari, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar. The systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Study quality was assessed using Egger's test and a visual inspection of funnel plot symmetry. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 17 software. A random-effects model was employed for analysis, and the Cochrane Q-test and I² statistics were used to assess heterogeneity among studies.ResultA total of six studies were included in this analysis. The minimum and maximum median survival times were 2.67 and 5.19 weeks, respectively. The pooled median recovery time was 4.05 weeks (95% CI: 2.92, 5.18) based on the random effects model. Heterogeneity among the included studies assessed by the I² statistic was 97.72% (p = 0.000). The p-value for Egger's regression test (0.017) was significant, indicating evidence of publication bias.ConclusionThe findings reveal a pooled median recovery time of 4.05 weeks, with considerable heterogeneity. Although these figures provide valuable insights, the presence of publication bias was evidenced by the asymmetric funnel plot and significant Egger's test. Efforts to address publication bias are essential to improve future meta- the reliability of the surveys has increased.RegistrationThe protocol for this systematic review was pre-registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Registration Number: CRD42023270497).
Project description:BackgroundAortic-to-right ventricle (ARV) fistula is an uncommon complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Even though surgical closure is usually the treatment of choice in such communications, percutaneous treatment options are valuable alternatives for these high-risk surgical patients.Case summaryIn this article, we present the percutaneous closure of an ARV fistula after TAVI, in a highly symptomatic patient with recurrent episodes of heart failure decompensation with worsening right ventricular function, who failed conservative medical treatment and was deemed inoperable. Successful closure of the fistula with the use of the Amplatzer atrial septal occluder was performed 6 months post-TAVI, under general anaesthesia and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). A detailed multi-modality imaging pre-procedural planning was performed utilizing 4D cardiac computed tomography and echocardiography. The patient has remained asymptomatic and in good health 5 months after the ARV fistula closure, with marked improvement in his clinical picture and echocardiographic parameters.DiscussionAortic-to-right ventricle fistulas with significant shunt post-TAVI could lead to biventricular failure and are associated with increased mortality if left untreated. This case demonstrates that TOE-guided percutaneous closure of a TAVI-related ARV fistula, although technically challenging, is feasible, and can be a valuable option for the treatment of symptomatic high-risk surgical patients.
Project description:ObjectiveDetermine whether a 1-hour pad test at discharge can identify continence status within 120 days of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingFistula Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi.PopulationWomen with VVF who underwent repair between January 2012 and December 2014.MethodsData on demographics, obstetric history, physical exam findings, operative management, postoperative findings, and follow up evaluations were collected on women with VVF repair.Main outcome measuresSensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), and a receiver operating curve (ROC) were calculated to assess the utility of using a discharge pad test at three thresholds to identify women likely to be continent at follow up.ResultsAfter VVF repair, 346 women had a 1-hour pad test performed at the time of hospital discharge and completed follow up within 120 days of repair. Of these, 79.8% (n = 276) were completely continent, whereas 20.2% (n = 70) had some degree of incontinence. The sensitivity and specificity of a negative 1-hour pad test at predicting continence is 68.1% and 82.9%, respectively. With this prevalence, a negative pad test at a 1.5-g threshold demonstrates a high predictive value (PPV = 94.0%, 95% CI 90.0-96.9) in detecting women with continence after repair.ConclusionsAt the 1.5-g threshold, a negative pad test at discharge identifies 94% of women who will remain continent after VVF repair. Adding the pad test to fistula care can identify women who are likely to remain continent and may not need further therapies in settings where resources are limited and follow up after repair is difficult.Tweetable abstractA negative pad test after repair is associated with continued continence at follow up.
Project description:We report a case of infective endocarditis with a septal abscess that was complicated with abnormal blood flow from the left ventricle to the right atrium (Gerbode defect) along with abnormal blood flow from the aorta to the right atrium (atrial-aortic fistula). This is the first reported case of successful correction of both defects by a percutaneous approach.