Management outcome of adult urinary fistulae at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) (1994 -1998)

Abstract

The study was carried out between January 1994 and December 1998. This was a retrospective study in which data was retrieved from the patient's files at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) medical records department. The results were analyzed and various indices established. Ninety patients were considered. Females were more than males with a ratios M:F 1:2 Seventy percent of the fistulae involved the bladder. Most of the patients (54.44%) were from a low socioeconomic set up and were referrals from rural centres in Kenya. The commonest mode of clinical presentation was leakage of urine in 80% of the patients and diagnosis was mainly clinical (74.44%). Obstetric fistulae were 53.33% and therefore were the majority. Surgery was the preferred option of treatment. Only 12.2% of the patients were managed conservatively. The outcome of treatment was found to be significantly influenced by urmary or faecal diversion and the duration of urethral cartheterization. However the aetiology of the fistulae and the interval between injury time and treatment did not influence the outcome.