New obstetrics and gynecology study findings have been reported from Oregon Health & Science University.

According to a study from the United States, "To identify anatomic characteristics and method of bladder closure that predict failure after repair of obstetric vesicovaginal fistulae. A retrospective analysis of 1045 patients that underwent vaginal repair of vesicovaginal fistulae from January 2006 to December 2007 at the Addis Ababa Hamlin Fistula Hospital."

"The fistulae were midvaginal (26%), adjacent to ureteral orifice (22%), circumferential (6%), had urethral compromise (10%), or had a combination of different locations (17%). Most had fair or good residual bladder size (83%) and minimal or moderate vaginal scarring (85%). Closure was in 1 layer in 48% and 2 layers in 52% with 89% cure, 11% failure, and 17% urethral incontinence. Failures were significantly associated with complete or partial urethral destruction, severe vaginal scarring, small bladders, and circumferential involvement. The 1-layer fistula closure was associated with failure but not after excluding small bladders," wrote R. Nardos and colleagues, Oregon Health & Science University (see also Obstetrics and Gynecology).

The researchers concluded: "Risk factors for failure include small bladder size, urethral ...