Risk factors for developing residual urinary incontinence after obstetric fistula repair

Abstract

Obstetric vesicovaginal fistula is a devastating cause of urinary incontinence worldwide. More attention is being focused on treating these patients by various philanthropic societies but very little is known about the complications of surgery. One of the most common complications is that the woman is left with residual urinary incontinence despite the defect being successfully closed. If risk factors for this could be identified, then perhaps more appropriate surgical techniques could be developed with the aim of remedying the incontinence.