What is it about?

This is a study looking at the presentation of new obstetric fistulae at 3 centres run by Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. it demonstrates that although the number of new fistulae is dropping an increasing number are high and related to caesarean section.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Caesarean section in low income countries are frequently performed by relatively inexperienced personnel in poorly equipped facilities. This leads to difficult delivery and trauma leading to fistula formation.

Perspectives

This is a timely study in that obstetric intervention is now becoming possible for women in rural communities and as a result maternal mortality ratios are falling. However the trauma associated with this surgery leads to fistula formation. there is a need to improve training and to ensure that surgery can be performed safely.

Professor Jeremy Torquil Wright
University of Surrey

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: The changing face of obstetric fistula surgery in Ethiopia, International Journal of Women s Health, July 2016, Dove Medical Press,
DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s106645.
You can read the full text:

Read
Open access logo

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page