Vesicovaginal fistula

Vaginal fistulas can develop after childbirth, an injury, a surgery, an infection or radiation treatment. You may need surgery to fix a fistula. There are several types of vaginal fistulas. They are named based on the location and organs they affect: • Vesicovaginal fistula. Also called a bladder fistula, this opening occurs between the vagina and urinary bladder. This is one of the most common fistulas. • Ureterovaginal fistula. This type of fistula happens when an unusual opening develops between the vagina and the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters). • Urethrovaginal fistula. The opening occurs between the vagina and the tube that carries urine out of the body (urethra). This type of fistula is also called a urethral fistula. • Rectovaginal fistula. In this type of fistula, the opening is between the vagina and the lower portion of the large intestine (rectum). • Colovaginal fistula. With a colovaginal fistula, the opening occurs between the vagina and colon. • Enterovaginal fistula. In this type of fistula, the opening is between the small intestine and the vagina. • Ferri FF. Vaginal fistulas. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 10, 2022. • Cameron AM, et al. Rectovaginal fistula. In: Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 10, 2022. • Garely AD, et al. Urogenital tract fistulas in females. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sea...

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is an uncomfortable and potentially distressing condition that causes continuous urinary leakage from your vagina. There are effective treatment options; but in parts of the world where women have limited access to healthcare, this condition can be debilitating and humiliating. VVF is a tale of two worlds. One in which women have access to healthcare when they deliver babies, and one in which they have little to no access. In high income countries, VVF is a preventable and highly treatable condition. In low and middle income countries, VVF can be a life changing, stigmatizing catastrophe for millions of women. VVF can be congenital, meaning you were born with it. More often though, it’s acquired, meaning it’s a result of another medical event or injury. Congenital VVF is a rare condition. In the United States and other high income countries, the In many low and middle income countries, the Additional causes can include: • trauma during labor and delivery (such as assisted vaginal deliveries that involve instruments) • infections and inflammatory diseases • foreign objects (such as • • vaginal laser procedures In the United States and other high income countries, the main cause of VVF is pelvic surgeries, and it may not be related to pregnancy. In most of the world, specifically low and middle income countries, prolonged labor is the main cause of VVF. If left untreated, VVF can Risk factors for VVF resulting from pregnancy • lack of access to sk...

What Is a Vaginal Fistula? A vaginal fistula is an unusual opening that connects your • • Ureters, the tubes that carry your pee from your • Urethra, the tube that carries your pee down from your bladder and outside your body (urethrovaginal fistula) • Rectum, the lower part of your large intestine (rectovaginal fistula) • Large intestine or • Small intestine (enterovaginal fistula) Vaginal Fistula Symptoms A vaginal fistula doesn’t usually hurt, but it can cause some problems that need medical care. If you have a vesicovaginal fistula (an opening between your Also, your genital area may get infected or sore, and you can have Other symptoms of vaginal fistulas include: • • Belly pain • • Weight loss • • Vomiting Vaginal Fistula Causes Most often, the culprit is tissue damage because of things like: • • Abdominal surgery ( • Pelvic, cervical, or • • Bowel disease like Crohn’s or • Infection (including after an episiotomy or a tear you had when you gave birth) • Traumatic injury, such as from a car accident Vaginal Fistula Diagnosis Your doctor will do a They may also order some tests, including: • Dye test. Your doctor will fill your bladder with a dye solution. They’ll ask you to • Cystoscopy. Your doctor uses a thin device called a cystoscope to look inside your bladder and urethra for signs of damage. • X-rays: • Retrograde pyelogram. This is a special test in which dye is injected through your bladder into your ureters. An X-ray can show whether there is leakage between...

A vaginal fistula is an opening that connects the vagina to another organ, such as the bladder, rectum, or bowel. They usually develop after tissue damage or trauma from childbirth, surgery, infections, cancer, or a chronic condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Potential complications of this condition include urinary and fecal leakage, tissue damage, infections, and abdominal discomfort. In addition to health problems, some individuals Treatment options In this article, we will discuss vaginal fistulas, including the different types, symptoms, causes, and more. Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. There are several types of vaginal fistulas, Vesicovaginal fistula A A vesicovaginal fistula Rectovaginal fistula A Colovaginal fistula A colovaginal fistula is an opening between the colon and the vagina. These fistulas are the Enterovaginal fistula An enterovaginal fistula is an opening between the small intestine and the vagina. Urethrovaginal fistula A urethrovaginal fistula is a connection that develops between the vagina and the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. It Ureterovaginal fistula A ureterovaginal fistula is a connection between the vagina and the ureter, a tube that carries urine from the To diagnose a vaginal fistula, a doctor will first review a person’s medical and surgical history. They may identify possible causes, such as recen...

Medical condition Vesicovaginal fistula Vesicovaginal fistula ( VVF) is a subtype of female urogenital Presentation [ ] Vesicovaginal fistula, or VVF, is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the [ citation needed] In addition to the medical [ citation needed] Causes [ ] It may be the result of a congenital birth condition such as [ citation needed] Vaginal fistulas can also result from particularly violent cases of Treatment [ ] Vesicovaginal fistulae are typically repaired either transvaginally or laparoscopically, although patients who have had multiple transvaginal procedures sometimes attempt a final repair through a large abdominal incision, or laparotomy. [ citation needed] The laparoscopic (minimally invasive) approach to VVF repair has become more prevalent due to its greater visualization, higher success rate, and lower rate of complications. Possible complications of surgical treatment [ ] • Recurrent formation of the fistula • Injury to ureter, bowel, or intestines • Vaginal shortening History [ ] Before the 19th century, women who suffered from VVF were judged harshly and rejected by society. Throughout the 19th century, treatment for VVF was limited because the practice of gynecology was perceived as taboo. Doctors were almost entirely male at this time and looking at a nude female, even for medical purposes, was seen as divergent from 19th-century values. One of the most famous gynecological surgeons of this time was Black enslaved women in the Ameri...

Prolonged labor, cancers and pelvic surgeries can cause vaginal fistulas. These openings form when vaginal tissue dies, creating a hole (vaginal fistula) between your vagina and organs in the urinary or digestive systems. The most common type, vesicovaginal fistulas, form between the vagina and bladder. Surgery can close a fistula. Overview What is a vaginal fistula? A vaginal fistula is a tunnel-like opening that develops in the wall of the vagina. Your vagina is the muscular tube between your vulva (outer female genitals) and your cervix, the mouth of your uterus. A vaginal fistula opens between your vagina and an organ in the urinary system or digestive system. Damage to tissue in your vaginal wall causes a hole to form where it doesn’t belong. What are genitourinary vaginal fistulas? Genitourinary vaginal fistulas form between your vagina or uterus (parts of the The most common type is a Genitourinary vaginal fistulas also include: • Ureterovaginal fistulas between your vagina and ureters, the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder. • Urethrovaginal fistulas between your vagina and urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of your body. What are other types of vaginal fistulas? Fistulas can also form between your vagina and • Rectovaginal fistulas between your vagina and rectum, the tube that sends poop (stool) through your anus and out of your body. • Colovaginal fistulas between your vagina and large intestine (colon). • Enterovagin...

Vesicovaginal fistulas occur when the bladder connects directly to the vagina, leading to loss of bladder control and A fistula is an abnormal passageway between two organs that do not normally connect. Fistulas can appear in most parts of the body and can be caused by trauma, surgery, or can be present at birth. A vesicovaginal fistula connects a woman's bladder directly to her vagina, which causes urine to drain into the vagina without passing through the urethra and results in loss of bladder control. Causes of Vesicovaginal Fistula Vesicovaginal fistulas can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developing over time). Congenital causes are rare and include anomalies that occur during fetal development when the reproductive, intestinal, and urinary tracts merge to create a single pathway. Acquired causes of vesicovaginal fistulas include: • Prolonged and obstructed labor during childbirth • Surgical damage • Radiation treatment for pelvic cancer All of the above place stress on the bladder and vaginal wall, which can weaken and tear tissue and lead to a vesicovaginal fistula. Vesicovaginal Fistula Symptoms The most prominent symptom is incontinence or urine leakage, with severity depending on the size and location of the fistula. When a fistula is small, some urine still passes through the urethra and may cause only slight leakage. If the fistula is large and all of the urine flows from bladder to vagina, total incontinence can occur. Even small amounts of urine...