Is a bladder fistula serious?

Is a bladder fistula serious?

A bladder fistula occurs when a connection forms between the bladder and another organ, most often the bowel or the vagina. The bladder then leaks through the opening and out the other organ. Bladder fistulas do not heal on their own; however, they are preventable and treatable.

What does a fistula smell like?

If you have a rectovaginal, colovaginal, or enterovaginal fistula, you most likely have foul-smelling discharge or gas coming from your vagina.

How common is fistula after hysterectomy?

The incidence of fistula after hysterectomy is estimated to be approximately 0.1–0.2%. Other causes of VVF in the industrialized world include malignancy, pelvic radiation, and obstetrical trauma including forceps lacerations and uterine rupture.

What is VVF?

VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract extending between the bladder and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault. In addition to the medical sequelae from these fistulas, they often have a profound effect on the patient’s emotional well-being.

How do I know if I have a bladder fistula?

Signs and symptoms of a bladder fistula may include: Gas coming out of your urethra (tube that drains urine from the bladder to outside the body) as you urinate. Persistent, recurrent (chronic) urinary tract infections (UTIs) Urine that looks like stool.

Can a bladder fistula heal on its own?

Fistulas generally do not heal on their own. Some small vesicovaginal fistulas that are detected early may be treated by placing a catheter in the bladder for a period of time. However, the treatment for most fistulas is surgical repair.

Can you live with a fistula without surgery?

In some cases, fistulas may close up, but then reopen. Typically, fistulas do not heal on their own without treatment.

How do you know if you have a fistula?

The CT scan can help locate a fistula and determine its cause. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test creates images of soft tissues in your body. MRI can show the location of a fistula, whether other pelvic organs are involved or whether you have a tumor.

How long does a bladder fistula take to heal?

Recovery and aftercare Most wounds should heal within 6 weeks. General advice about undergoing a form of fistula surgery includes: Take over-the counter pain relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, for pain relief.

What color is fistula drainage?

Bach’s case, the drainage is liquid, and its green color indicates it’s from the small intestine. In comparison, drainage from the descending colon would be thick, dark brown, and malodorous. Document the amount of fistula drainage.

Does VVF have a cure?

The only way to fix vesicovaginal fistulas is with surgery to close off the opening. Sometimes additional procedures are needed to correct the original cause of the problem, such as damage to the bladder. Surgery to correct vesicovaginal fistulas is generally very successful.

Where does a woman’s urine come out?

There are two openings in the vulva — the vaginal opening and the opening to the urethra (the hole you pee out of). The urethral opening is the tiny hole that you pee out of, located just below your clitoris. The vaginal opening is right below your urethral opening.

Can a fistula occur between the bladder and vagina?

This type of fistula occurs only in women. Vesicovaginal fistulas occur between the bladder and vagina. This type of fistula occurs only in women. Bladder fistula symptoms vary by type and severity of the fistula. They may include any of the following: Sometimes bladder fistulas are found during an annual gynecologic exam.

Where is the bladder located in the body?

The bladder is a balloon-shaped organ that stores urine, which is made in the kidneys. It is held in place by pelvic muscles in the lower part of your belly . When it isn’t full, the bladder is relaxed.

What causes urine to leak out of the vagina?

A vesicovaginal fistula is an opening that develops between the bladder and the wall of the vagina. The result is that urine leaks out of the vagina, sometimes lightly but it can be steady if the fistula is large.

Why do I have a hole in my vagina?

Your doctor might describe the condition as a hole in your vagina that allows stool or urine to pass through your vagina. Vaginal fistulas can develop as a result of an injury, a surgery, an infection or radiation treatment. Whatever the cause of your fistula, you may need to have it closed by a surgeon to restore normal function.