title: Urinary tract fistulas in radical surgery for cervical cancer: the importance of early diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urinary fistulas are a well-recognised complication of radical gynaecological oncology surgery for cervical cancer. Reported incidence varies between 0.6 and 5.1%.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case-note review of vesical and ureteric fistulas diagnosed in cases that underwent radical surgery for the new diagnosis of early stage cervical cancer between January 2000 and June 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 323 radical procedures for cervical cancer were performed during the study period. There were nine urinary tract fistulas found in eight women undergoing radical surgery for stage 1b1 cervical cancer, giving an incidence of 2.7%. Haemorrhage was the commonest associated factor and the commonest presenting symptom for fistula was leaking of urine per vagina. The fistulas were managed conservatively or surgically depending on their nature and severity. The longer the delay in confirming the diagnosis and initiating treatment the more severe were the long-term symptoms and morbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of predisposing factors, high index of suspicion, early investigations and multidisciplinary team management of urinary tract fistula are necessary to reduce post-operative morbidity and minimise renal loss.
authors: Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead NE9 6SX, UK. palluvi@yahoo.com
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Karkhanis
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Patel
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Galaal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D001747:Urinary Bladder Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult