Urogenital fistula in a Saudi Arabian referral center

To review all cases of genitourinary fistula, their causes, management and outcome.

A retrospective chart review of all fistula cases referred to the Urogynecology Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2005 to December 2011.

Sixteen genitourinary fistula cases were identified; nine (56 %) cases of vesicovaginal fistula, four (25 %) cases of vesicouterine fistula, and three (19 %) cases of vesicocervical fistula. Mean age was 41 (29-61) and mean parity was 7.4 (2-15). Out of the 16 cases, 12 (75 %) had obstetrical surgical complications, of which 8 (50 %) had complications of cesarean sections. Twelve of 15 cases (80 %) were cured after primary surgical repair, 2 (13 %) after secondary repair and 1 after tertiary repair. One case was cured after conservative management.

Most of the genitourinary fistulae were of iatrogenic obstetric causes, mainly cesarean section with none of the cases due to obstructed labor unlike fistulae in developing countries or developed countries fistulae (iatrogenic gynecologic origin).