title: Surgical repair of genital fistulae.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Genital fistula is one of the serious childbirth injuries that can occur among women in the developing countries. Complex fistulae still represent a challenging management problem. We report our experience of managing genital fistulae at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-seven women with genital fistulae were managed between January 1988 and December 2002. Sixty-eight cases were urogenital and 19 were rectovaginal fistulae. Three women had concomitant urogenital and rectovaginal fistulae. The position of patients for surgery and the route of repair were individualized according to the appropriate access to the fistulae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 68 cases of urogenital fistulae, 54 were successfully repaired at first attempt. Three patients were cured at second repair. A success rate of 83.8% was achieved. Four patient with ureterosigmoid anastomosis and seven patients who were lost to follow-up, were considered as failures. All of the 19 rectovaginal fistulae (100%) closed after single repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With an experienced uro-gynecologic team using conventional approach and meticulous repair, a high percentage of patients with genital fistulae can be rendered dry and continent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. tahira.naru@aku.edu
authors.forename: Tahira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naru
authors.forename: Javed H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: Jamsheer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Talati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D014624:Vaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery