Author(s)

Mahublo Vinadou Vodouhe^1*, Jean de Dieu Yunga Foma², Kokou Isidore Gandaho³, Mathieu Zéssahou Kakpo³, Sèdjro Raoul Atade¹, Bio Tamou Sambo³, Nouessewa Fanny Maryline Hounkponou¹, Kabibou Salifou¹

¹Department of Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
²Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM), Uvira, Democratic Republic of Congo.
³Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.

Background: Obstetric Fistula (OF) is a breach of the birth canal due to obstructed labor. It is a major public health problem in developing countries. Objective: Study the epidemiology and treatment of obstetric fistulas at the Departmental University Hospital Centre of Borgou and Alibori (CHUD-B/A) in Parakou, Benin. Study Method: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection on women treated during OF care missions from February 2020 to April 2021 in CHUD-B/A in Parakou, Benin. The data concerned their socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, the clinic and therapeutic characteristics of their obstetric fistulas. Results: In total 97 patients with OF were treated during the 14-month period. The average age of the patients was 36.42 ± 11.75 years old. The patients were married (51.54%), without professional occupation (54.64%) and had no formal education (73.20%). The vesico-vaginal variety was predominating (54.64%). The fistulas were of Type I (46.39%), Type II (20.62%) and Type III (32.99%) according to the classification of Waaldjik Kees. The patients were operated on under spinal anesthesia (94.79%), and vaginally (55.67%) according to the principle of Chassar Moir (68, 60%). The associated procedures were lengthening urethroplasty (17.53%), and interposition of the Martius flap (1.03%). The overall success rate without Stress Urinary Incontinence was 71.13%. The factors associated with the failure of the fistula repair were: the nutritional status of the patients (p = 0.004), the previous repair failure (p = 0.001), the high size of the fistula (p = 0.007), the fistula severity (p < 0.001), and a urethral reconstruction (p < 0.001). Conclusion: OF is a relatively frequent pathology in Benin. Vesico-vaginal fistula is the most common form. The success rate of the surgical treatment is satisfactory, but depends on some factors.

Benin, Epidemiology, Obstetric Fistula, Treatment

Vodouhe, M. , Foma, J. , Gandaho, K. , Kakpo, M. , Atade, S. , Sambo, B. , Hounkponou, N. and Salifou, K. (2023) Epidemiological and Therapeutic Aspects of Obstetric Fistula in 2021: A Review of 97 Cases at the Departmental University Hospital Centre of Borgou and Alibori in Benin. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 13, 1007-1019. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2023.136085.