Enhancing surgical skills stressed to prevent iatrogenic fistula cases

Experts at a discussion have stressed on enhancing surgical skills of obstetric and urologist surgeons to ensure safe cesarean surgeries for preventing the increasing number of new iatrogenic fistula cases.

They viewed this at the discussion on ‘Fistula Patient Management’ held at the conference room of Rangpur Medical College (RpMC) here on Tuesday afternoon.

The Director General of Health Services (DGHS), UNFPA Bangladesh and LAMB Elimination of Genital Fistula by Capturing, Treating, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating in Bangladesh (FRRei) Project extended technical support in arranging the event.

Principal of RpMC Dr Bimal Chandra Roy presided over the discussion and its Vice Principal Professor Dr. Md. Mahfuzer Rahman delivered a welcome speech.

Registrar of the Department of Urology of Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RpMCH) and Fistula Coordinator Dr Md Selim Morshed delivered a presentation on management of fistula patients at the hospital.

Director of RpMCH Dr. Muhammad Eunus Ali, Head of Department of Urology of RpMCH Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam Sugom, its Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Sharmin Akhter, Head of the Department Anesthesia Dr Md Sdarul Islam Talukder, Technical Officer of UNFPA Bangladesh Dr. Animesh Biswas and Program Manager of LAMB FRRei Project Mahatab Liton participated in the open discussion.

The experts said genital fistula is an abnormal opening in the female genital tract that causes uncontrollable, constant leakage of urine or feces while obstetric fistula is usually caused by prolonged obstructed labor without timely medical intervention.

Conversely, iatrogenic fistula is caused unintentionally by surgical inaccuracy during cesarean, urological and other surgeries unrelated to childbirth like in cases of injuries caused through sexual violence, female genital mutilation or accidents.

For instance, during a cesarean section, it is possible that the bladder is accidentally cut, resulting in a hole or abnormal opening through which urine leaks causing a type of iatrogenic fistula.

Dr. Eunus said surgeons could reduce the increasing rate of iatrogenic fistula patients through conducting cesarean and some other surgeries more proficiently with special protective measures.

The participating expert physicians expressed commitments to complement each other and work towards creating a fistula-free Bangladesh by 2030 next.

Dr Roy stressed on ensuring proper management of fistula patients and producing skilled surgeons by imparting training for conducting cesarean and urological surgeries skillfully to reduce the number of iatrogenic fistulas in the country. (BSS)