Lower reproductive tract fistula repairs in inpatient US women, 1979-2006

Heidi W. Brown, Li Wang, Clareann H. Bunker, Jerry L. Lowder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: The objective of the study was to characterize trends in lower reproductive tract fistula (LRTF) repair in inpatient US women from 1979 to 2006. Methods: Retrospective data was obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Survey regarding LRTF diagnoses, demographics, comorbidities, and fistula repair procedures, using ICD-9-CM diagnostic and procedure codes. Age-adjusted rates (AARs) were calculated using 1990 census data. Trends in LRTF surgical repair were evaluated using regression analysis. Results: Between 1979 and 2006, the AAR of LRTF repair declined from 7.8 to 4.8 per 100,000 women (b0-2.97, p< 0.001). The most common surgical fistula repairs were rectovaginal, vesicovaginal, and colovaginal. The AARs of colovaginal and vesicovaginal fistula repair remained stable, while the AAR of rectovaginal fistula repair declined. Conclusions: The AAR of inpatient LRTF repair declined between 1979 and 2006, perhaps reflecting a concurrent decrease in obstetric trauma, in the context of decreasing episiotomy and operative vaginal delivery and increasing cesarean section rates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)403-410
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Urogynecology Journal
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2012

Keywords

  • Colovaginal fistula
  • Hospital discharge data
  • Rectovaginal fistula
  • Surgical repair
  • Vesicovaginal fistula

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