The challenges of vaginal atresia and stenosis: Nigerian experience

Abstract

From July 1973 to December 1980, 6942 patients were admitted to the Gynaecology unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Fifty-nine patients presented with gynatresia (vaginal atresia and stenosis), an incidence of 8.5 1000. The most common causes of this condition were caustic vaginitis, secondary to local herb pessary insertion, and circumcision. The resulting vaginal adhesions were effectively treated surgically by simple adhesiolysis . There was a low incidence of congenital gynatresia . As the large proportion of cases of acquired gynatresia were preventable, improvement in health education should further reduce incidence of this condition in our community.

Rétrécissements du vagin d’origine caustique. À propos de 21 plasties

“…Dans notre sé rie qui est strictement hospitaliè re, la fré quence est estimé e à 0,14/1000 mais cette fré quence semble sous-é valué e car de nombreuses patientes é chappent au circuit hospitalier du fait d'une accessibilité limité e aux soins mé dicaux. Arowojolu et al [3] rapportent une fré quence 7/1000 dont 64 % en rapport avec des « ovules » de la pharmacopé e de 1967 à 1996 à Ibadan, au Nigé ria et Unuigbé [8] 8/1000, ces proportions montre l'ampleur du problè me. L'usage de produits de la pharmacopé e par voie gé nitale est une pratique courante dans certaines ré gions du Nigé ria [3][4][5].…”

Pudendal thigh flap in the treatment of acquired gynatresia from caustic pessaries

“…A herbal pessary is a folk medication prescribed by herbalists for various gynecologic problems [1][2][3][4][5]. Traditionally, multiparous women in rural areas of Nigeria have used herbal pessaries to treat vaginal wall laxity and firm up the vagina to improve sexual excitation.…”

“…In Nigeria, the most common cause of acquired gynatresia are vaginal chemical burns from herbal pessaries [1][2][3][4][5]. A herbal pessary is a folk medication prescribed by herbalists for various gynecologic problems [1][2][3][4][5].…”

“…In Nigeria, chemical burns resulting from the use of herbal pessaries are the most common cause of acquired gynatresia [1][2][3][4][5]. These pessaries are prescribed and prepared by herbalists, purportedly for the treatment of conditions such as fibroids and uterovaginal prolapse and for the induction of abortion [1].…”

Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy: A Review of the Challenges

“…A few have been given herbal concoctions to drink or insert vaginally as pessary, with the aim of shrinking or "dissolving" the uterine fibroids [12]. Some have, as a result, developed complications like renal failure as a result of medications they drank, or surgical complications like acquired gynatresia (vaginal stenosis) as a result of corrosive herbs applied vaginally, resulting in coital difficulties and problems at vaginal delivery when they become pregnant as a result of dystocia from soft tissue factors [12,13]. Some patients have had multiple traditional surgical incisions carried out on their abdominal walls with the aim of letting out "bad blood", and believing the fibroids will melt away; a medieval thinking.…”