Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Evaluation of the Surgical Management of Urogenital Fistulas in Southern Senegal

Received: 26 November 2025     Accepted: 15 December 2025     Published: 26 December 2025
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Abstract

Introduction: Urogenital fistula (UGF) encompasses multiple clinical forms, most often of obstetric origin. It represents a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, in contrast to its rarity in high-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of surgical management of UGFs performed by a specialized missionary team in Casamance (Senegal). Methods: Our study was a cross-sectional, descriptive study targeting women with a uterine fistula who required surgery by the mission team (December 2019 to December 2021) in the Casamance region. It excluded women with associated rectovaginal fistulas. The variables studied were epidemiological, obstetric, anatomoclinical, therapeutic, and outcome-related. Data were collected from reports and surgical records. Results: Forty-six cases were included. The mean age was 39 years. Female genital mutilation was reported in 52.2% of cases (primarily type I). Prolonged labor (more than 12 hours) occurred in 82% of cases, and 80% of deliveries took place in a hospital setting. Vesicovaginal fistulas accounted for 86.9% of cases, and obstetric causes for 82.6%. Vaginal access was used in 69.6% of cases, and the Chassar-Moir technique in 76.1%. The overall success rate was 78.3%, with urinary leakage occurring in 21.7% of cases. No postoperative incontinence was observed. Conclusion: Urogenital fistulas lead to serious physical and psychosocial consequences. Their prevention requires prompt and competent obstetric care. The results of this mission are encouraging and highlight the need to strengthen local surgical capacity.

Published in International Journal of Clinical Urology (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28
Page(s) 209-213
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Urogenital Fistula, Obstetric Complications, Surgical Management

References
[1] A Diallo, A Zakou, E Pereira, M Jalloh, M Ndoye, L Niang. Management of urogenital fistulas in the urology department of the Grand Yoff General Hospital (Dakar). Urol Androl 2019 Jul 2019; 2: 24–8.
[2] A Niassy, L Niang, M Diallo, M Jalloh, M Ndoye, I Labou, and al. Surgical missions for the management of obstetric fistulas in sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects. Urol Androl 2019; 2: 15–9.
[3] A Labarrère, A Gueye, F Ouaki, C Pires, F Pierre, X Fritel. Obstetric urogenital fistula: report of two cases in France. Gynecology and Obstetrics Fertil 2011; 39: 328–31.
[4] F Aristide Kaboré, T Kambou, A Ouattara, B Zango, C Yaméogo, B Kirakoya, ant al. Epidemiological, etiological aspects and psychosocial impact of urogenital fistulas in a cohort of 170 consecutive patients, treated in three centers in Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2012. Prog En Urol 2014; 24: 526–32.
[5] SM Gueye, BA Diagne. VESICO-VAGINAL FISTULAS. Black African Medicine 1992; 39: 559–63.
[6] AB Diallo, T Sy, MD Bah, TMO Diallo, MS Barry, I Bah, and al. [Obstetrical vesicovaginal fistula in Guinea: Data analysis of three sites of treatment at Engender Health NGO]. Progres in Urol J Assoc Francaise Urol Soc Francaise Urol 2016; 26: 145–51.
[7] A Holme, M Breen, C MacArthur. Obstetric fistulae: a study of women managed at the Monze Mission Hospital, Zambia. BJOG Int J Obstet Gynaecol 2007; 114: 1010–7.
[8] K Tayler-Smith, R Zachariah, M Manzi, W van den Boogaard, A Vandeborne, A Bishinga, and al. Obstetric fistula in Burundi: a comprehensive approach to managing women with this neglected disease. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2013; 13: 164.
[9] NFMH Ahouingnan. Factors associated with the healing of obstetric fistula carriers at the maternity ward of the Saint Jean de Dieu Hospital (HSJD) in Tanguieta, Benin, from 2015 to 2016. J SAGO Gynecology – Obstetrics Health Reprod 2020; 21.
[10] D Nembunzu, N Mayemba, S Sidibé, FM Grovogui, BTT Aussak, DF Banze Kyongolwa, and al. Factors Associated With Persistent Urinary Incontinence Among Women Undergoing Female Genital Fistula Surgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo From 2017 to 2019. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3: 896991.
[11] SI Traore, O Dembele, S Traore, A Diallo, A Maiga, M Sylla, and al. Urogenital fistula in Sikasso: a report of 150 cases. Pan Afr Med J 2019; 33.
[12] PM Tebeu, GK Fosso, V Vadandi, JS Dohbit, JN Fomulu, CH Rochat. Prognostic value of repeated surgery on obstetric vesicovaginal fistula outcome: A Cameroonian experience. Asian Pac J Reprod 2013; 2: 330–2.
[13] PE Zimmern, HR Hadley, DR Staskin, S Raz. Genitourinary fistulae. Vaginal approach for repair of vesicovaginal fistulae. Urol Clin North Am 1985; 12: 361–7.
[14] J Goh, EJ Stanford, R Genadry. Classification of female genito-urinary tract fistula: a comprehensive review. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2009; 20: 605–10.
[15] S GUEYE, BA DIAGNE, A MENSAH. TheVesicovaginal fistulas: Etiopathogenic and therapeutic aspects in Senegal. Medicine Afr Noire 1992; 39: 559–63.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Traore, A., Doukoure, M., Ndoye, H., Ndiaye, M. D., Sow, O., et al. (2025). Evaluation of the Surgical Management of Urogenital Fistulas in Southern Senegal. International Journal of Clinical Urology, 9(2), 209-213. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28

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    ACS Style

    Traore, A.; Doukoure, M.; Ndoye, H.; Ndiaye, M. D.; Sow, O., et al. Evaluation of the Surgical Management of Urogenital Fistulas in Southern Senegal. Int. J. Clin. Urol. 2025, 9(2), 209-213. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28

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    AMA Style

    Traore A, Doukoure M, Ndoye H, Ndiaye MD, Sow O, et al. Evaluation of the Surgical Management of Urogenital Fistulas in Southern Senegal. Int J Clin Urol. 2025;9(2):209-213. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28,
      author = {Aboubacar Traore and Mohamed Doukoure and Helene Ndoye and Modou Diop Ndiaye and Omar Sow and Boubacar Fall},
      title = {Evaluation of the Surgical Management of Urogenital Fistulas in Southern Senegal},
      journal = {International Journal of Clinical Urology},
      volume = {9},
      number = {2},
      pages = {209-213},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcu.20250902.28},
      abstract = {Introduction: Urogenital fistula (UGF) encompasses multiple clinical forms, most often of obstetric origin. It represents a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, in contrast to its rarity in high-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of surgical management of UGFs performed by a specialized missionary team in Casamance (Senegal). Methods: Our study was a cross-sectional, descriptive study targeting women with a uterine fistula who required surgery by the mission team (December 2019 to December 2021) in the Casamance region. It excluded women with associated rectovaginal fistulas. The variables studied were epidemiological, obstetric, anatomoclinical, therapeutic, and outcome-related. Data were collected from reports and surgical records. Results: Forty-six cases were included. The mean age was 39 years. Female genital mutilation was reported in 52.2% of cases (primarily type I). Prolonged labor (more than 12 hours) occurred in 82% of cases, and 80% of deliveries took place in a hospital setting. Vesicovaginal fistulas accounted for 86.9% of cases, and obstetric causes for 82.6%. Vaginal access was used in 69.6% of cases, and the Chassar-Moir technique in 76.1%. The overall success rate was 78.3%, with urinary leakage occurring in 21.7% of cases. No postoperative incontinence was observed. Conclusion: Urogenital fistulas lead to serious physical and psychosocial consequences. Their prevention requires prompt and competent obstetric care. The results of this mission are encouraging and highlight the need to strengthen local surgical capacity.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Evaluation of the Surgical Management of Urogenital Fistulas in Southern Senegal
    AU  - Aboubacar Traore
    AU  - Mohamed Doukoure
    AU  - Helene Ndoye
    AU  - Modou Diop Ndiaye
    AU  - Omar Sow
    AU  - Boubacar Fall
    Y1  - 2025/12/26
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28
    T2  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
    JF  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
    JO  - International Journal of Clinical Urology
    SP  - 209
    EP  - 213
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2640-1355
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcu.20250902.28
    AB  - Introduction: Urogenital fistula (UGF) encompasses multiple clinical forms, most often of obstetric origin. It represents a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, in contrast to its rarity in high-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of surgical management of UGFs performed by a specialized missionary team in Casamance (Senegal). Methods: Our study was a cross-sectional, descriptive study targeting women with a uterine fistula who required surgery by the mission team (December 2019 to December 2021) in the Casamance region. It excluded women with associated rectovaginal fistulas. The variables studied were epidemiological, obstetric, anatomoclinical, therapeutic, and outcome-related. Data were collected from reports and surgical records. Results: Forty-six cases were included. The mean age was 39 years. Female genital mutilation was reported in 52.2% of cases (primarily type I). Prolonged labor (more than 12 hours) occurred in 82% of cases, and 80% of deliveries took place in a hospital setting. Vesicovaginal fistulas accounted for 86.9% of cases, and obstetric causes for 82.6%. Vaginal access was used in 69.6% of cases, and the Chassar-Moir technique in 76.1%. The overall success rate was 78.3%, with urinary leakage occurring in 21.7% of cases. No postoperative incontinence was observed. Conclusion: Urogenital fistulas lead to serious physical and psychosocial consequences. Their prevention requires prompt and competent obstetric care. The results of this mission are encouraging and highlight the need to strengthen local surgical capacity.
    VL  - 9
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Urology Department, Peace Hospital, Ziguinchor, Senegal;Department of Surgery, Assane Seck University, Ziguinchor, Senegal

  • Urology Department, Peace Hospital, Ziguinchor, Senegal;Department of Surgery, Gaston Berger University (UGB), Saint-Louis, Senegal

  • Urology Department, Peace Hospital, Ziguinchor, Senegal;Department of Surgery, Assane Seck University, Ziguinchor, Senegal

  • Urology Department, Peace Hospital, Ziguinchor, Senegal;Department of Surgery, Assane Seck University, Ziguinchor, Senegal

  • Department of Surgery, Assane Seck University, Ziguinchor, Senegal

  • Urology Department, Peace Hospital, Ziguinchor, Senegal;Department of Surgery, Assane Seck University, Ziguinchor, Senegal

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