Bladder spasm following urogenital fistula repair.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the occurrence of bladder spasms following surgical repair of urogenital fistula.

METHODS: The present retrospective study included data from patients who underwent surgical repair of urogenital fistula at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Nigeria, between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016. Patients who underwent rectovaginal fistula repair and those who experienced persistent postoperative pain requiring high doses of analgesia were excluded. Bladder spasm was defined as the sudden onset of intermittent pain in the region of the bladder lasting for short periods of time in patients who were previously comfortable with routine postoperative analgesia. The incidence of bladder spasm was calculated and the presence of an association between repair outcome and bladder spasms was investigated.

RESULTS: There were 133 patients included in the present study with a mean age of 36 ± 11 years. Bladder spasms were experienced by 60 (45.1%) patients during the study period; of these patients, failed fistula repair was recorded for 13 (22%). Good surgical outcome (closed fistula) was associated with not experiencing postsurgical bladder spasms (P=0.044).

CONCLUSION: The incidence of bladder spasm following surgical repair of urogenital fistula appeared high. The occurrence of bladder spasms could influence repair outcomes.