Obstetric Fistula is a canal that has two openings, one of which is in the rectum (where faeces collect before it is removed from the anus) and the other end of the canal is in the vagina. The presence of this channel allows the passage of very small portions of faeces from the rectum to the vagina. (The second opening may not be in the vagina but in the bladder, and it may be an external opening on the skin near the anus).

How does obstetric fistula happen?

• Difficult childbirth that continues for a long time: During childbirth (usually during the first birth of a woman, the primiparous woman), a woman may be exposed to bruises, and pressure may occur for a long time resulting from the pressure of the child’s head on the pelvic area near the anal area, causing tissue damage.
• Vaginal biopsy: It is possible that infections may occur as a result of a vaginal biopsy, which is a process that facilitates the birth and exit of the child easily, and thus these small wounds may turn into abscesses, and abscesses may also develop until the abscess reaches the anus and an anal-vaginal fistula is formed.
• The tools used in the obstetric process such as forceps and scissors may be supported by their use to damage the vagina and inflammation may occur, this inflammation may open to the anus, and the vagina-anal fistula is formed.
• Some infections in women such as vaginal infections or abscesses may develop to reach the anus and form a vaginal anal fistula.

Diagnosis

Obstetric fistula is diagnosed by direct examination, and the complete understanding of the fistula and its path is done by ultrasound examination 3D EndOANAL ULTRASOUND, and magnetic resonance can be used to complete the diagnosis of the condition.

To learn more about anal fistula, please visit the anal fistula page, this article will be exclusively about obstetric fistula.

Treatment

The treatment of obstetric fistula is done according to the nature of the fistula. In the event of an abscess, a drainage and drainage of the abscess must be done first, then wait for a while and then enter the endoscope, or multiple slices are made to close the fistula nozzles.

Can obstetric fistula be avoided?

The possibility of obstetric fistula can be reduced by implementing a number of recommendations, which are as follows:

• The birth should take place in the hospital and not at home, especially for the first birth of a woman (the virgin woman).
• That the obstetric process be carried out by a doctor/doctor who is specialized and skilled in natural birth operations, and take care and caution when using assistive devices to deliver the fetus in natural birth.
• If there are diseases or infections in the vagina before childbirth, they must be treated
• Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases