, surgery following prior pelvic irradia- tion. - - • Obstetricalterectomy following risks: obstructed a delivery. labors, operative deliv Genitourinary Fistula Othereries (such conditions: as a forceps malignancy, or vacuum gastrointestinal delivery), and hyssur-

A Guide for Women • radiation exposure to pelvis. gery, retained foreign bodies (e.g. pessaries), prior 1. How is a genitourinary fistula assessed? 2. An initial discussion with your doctor who reviews your What is a genitourinary fistula? - 3. What causes genitourinary fistulas? 4. health history and recent surgeries can help him/her sus How is a genitourinary fistula assessed? pect a possible genitourinary fistula tract. Though most What are the treatment options? women complain of constant leakage. What is genitourinary fistula? Initially, a pelvic exam should be done to assess where the urine is leaking from, typically into the vagina. A vaginal - examthe external should opening focus on of visualizing the urethra. extraurethral A pill that can leakage change of Genitourinary fistulas are abnormal connections between urine,the urine meaning color thatis often the urinarygiven to leakage help differentiate is not coming vaginal from the vagina, urethra, bladder or ureter. This abnormal com munication may occur between vagina and/or to the- bladder, urethra or ureter and this communication is called discharge from urine to help localize the fistula tract. a fistula tract. This is typically caused by trauma from sur If pelvic exam fails to localize the fistula, further testing of gery or during delivery. A genitourinary fistula tract will the bladder can be done. The bladder can be filled with a cause urine to be directed away from its normal location in dye colored fluid to help compliment the vaginal exam to see the ureters (tubes that bring urine from kidney to bladder), if urine is leaking into it. This may miss a uretero-vaginal bladder or urethra. Depending on the anatomical location fistulathrough as a thecatheter. tubes that bring urine from kidney to bladder of the fistula tract it can be called , do not change color when the dyed fluid is placed in bladder ureterouterine fistula, urethrovaginal fistula, vesicouterine Further testing with cystourethroscopy, using a camera to followingfistula, and symptoms: . WomenContinuous with a genitourinary urinary drainage fistula from may vaginahave many after of trau the- look in bladder and urethra, can help localize fistula tract.- ma or injury. This may help your doctor see how close the fistula tract • is to the ureters and help determine the best surgical ap- proach to fix the fistula. If there is concern for injury to the ureters further radiologic imaging is necessary. Intrave • Foul-smellingLeakage may beor continuouspersistent discharge or intermittent, often precedes and can be confused with stress incontinence. nousthe genitourinary CT urography tract. or retrograde pyelography may be used to look for injury to ureters or extravasation of fluid outside What are the treatment options? • Vagina smells of urine. urinary leakage. - • never gets full. Not all fistulas need surgical intervention. Fistulas diag • Women may void small amounts of urine, as bladder nosed within the first seven days of an injury and are small can close after prolonged draining of the bladder with a catheter. Further imaging may be required to confirm the • Mayor an develop ascending frequent urinary urinary tract infection. tract infections; flank fistula tract closed on its own. If a ureteral injury or the pain and/or fevers may be sign of a kidney infection - fistulato close. tract involves the ureter, then a double-J stent should be placed. Prolonged stenting may allow for the fistula tract • Urine may also leak into abdominal cavity causing ab dominal pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal What causes genitourinary fistulas? Ifperform conservative it with therapy training fails in thethen surgical a surgical correction repair should of geni be- distention or a small bowel obstruction. performed. If surgery warranted then a specialist should

Some fistulas can be congenital, meaning that a woman is- tourinary fistulas. If fistula tract is identified within 24-48 born with an abnormal fistula tract, but most are caused hours it can be repaired right away. Often time surgery may- by trauma related to surgery or during delivery. In devel be delayed after the initial trauma that caused the fistula. oping countries 90% of genitourinary fistulas are caused This allows the tract to mature and inflammation to de by obstetric trauma during obstructed labor. In developed- crease enabling better surgical planes and tissue to fix the countries 75% of fistulas are caused by gynecologic or other fistula tract. pelvic surgery. There is usually a direct injury to the geni The surgical approach to genitourinary fistulas may include- tourinarydays after tracta surgery, that causesif there a wasfistula tissue to develop ischemia, following necrosis, a a vaginal approach, abdominal approach, or through the surgical procedure. Though fistulas may develop later, 7-21 bladder itself, called a transvesical repair. The surgical ap proach chosen depends on the fistula location, other health and/or infection that interfered with wound healing. conditions, and size of the fistula. Often times the tissue Risk factors for development of a genitourinary fistula: near the fistula tract has poor blood supply and may need a • Pelvic surgery risks: cesarean section, surgery for graft to help promote healing near fistula tract. Grafts can IUGA Office | [email protected] | www.iuga.org ©2011 include a woman’s own fat tissue or muscle that is placed over the repaired fistula tract. Other biologic grafts taken- from animal tissue or human cadavers can also be used. In some complex cases of genitourinary fistulas a urinary di- version may be performed to route urine away from fistula tract to allow it to heal. This may involve draining the kid neys with nephrostomy tubes, or reconstructing the small- or large bowel to divert urine through it. - Though genitourinary fistulas are not that common, surgi cal success rates are high ranging from 84-100%. Follow ing surgery there still may be a need for prolonged bladder draining with a catheter as the fistula tract heals.

The information contained in this brochure is intended to be used for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific medical condition, which should only be done by a qualified physician or other health care professional. IUGA Office | [email protected] | www.iuga.org Reviewed December 2015©2011