Characteristics of circumferential vesico-vaginal fistulas: A cross-sectional and multicentric study

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the risk factors for development of circumferential fistula. We carried out a crosssectional, multicentric and analytical study over 7 years period, from 1st January, 2010 to 31 December, 2016. We compared circumferential and non- circumferential fistula patients in order to determine the risk factors for circumferential fistula development. Circumferential fistula accounted for 20% (91/456) of all vesico-vaginal fistulas. The mean age of the 456 patients was 35.9 years±12.15 (min 15 years; max 72 years). On univariate analysis, factors associated with the risk of circumferential fistula were: residence (P=0.039; OR=1.7), parity (P=0.04; OR=0.47), marital status before fistula (P=0.002; 4.3), duration of labor (P=0.041; OR=2.7) and fistula aetiology (P=0.038; OR=2.54). In a logistic regression model, two factors remained significant: marital status before fistula (P=0.029; OR=0.13) and duration of labor (P=0.017; OR=0.26). Circumferential fistula occurs in urban, primiparous, unmarried women who have been in labor for more than 41 hours.