Pattern of non-obstetric infectious recto-vaginal fistula: a case series and literature review in Cameroon, Central Africa

Pierre Marie Tebeu; Roger Guy Michel Ekono; Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue; Gregory Ekane Halle; Joel Domgue Fokom; Charles Henry Rochat

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20162101

Authors

Pierre Marie Tebeu Ligue d’Initiative et de Recherche Active pour la Santé et l’ Education de la Femme, LIRASEF; Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Teaching Hospitals, Yaoundé-Cameroon; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box: 1364 Yaoundé, Cameroon
Roger Guy Michel Ekono Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Teaching Hospitals, Yaoundé-Cameroon; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon
Jovanny Tsuala Fouogue Douala Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital, PO Box 7270 Douala, Cameroon
Gregory Ekane Halle Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Douala General Hospital, Cameroon; Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Buea, Cameroon; Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, GFMER, Switzerland
Joel Domgue Fokom Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Teaching Hospitals, Yaoundé-Cameroon
Charles Henry Rochat Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, GFMER, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20162101

Keywords:

Non-obstetric fistula, RVF, Infection, HIV, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Perineal infection is an uncommon cause of non-obstetrical recto-vaginal fistula (RVF) which is associated with HIV infection. Cameroon (Central Africa) is in the fistula belt but infectious RVFs have not yet been deeply studied in the country. We therefore sought to determine the pattern of non-obstetric infectious RVF in Cameroon.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional and descriptive review of non-obstetric infectious RVFs managed at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2015. All complete files were included. The following data were retrieved: socio-demographics, characteristics of the RVF, management and outcome.

Results: Five non-obstetrical and non-traumatic RVFs of which four were observed in HIV-infected patients were included. All those RVFs occurred spontaneously. The following predisposing factors were identified: perineal warts (one case out of five), perineal suppuration (two cases out of five), hemorrhoids (the HIV-negative patient), spinsterhood (all cases), unemployment (all cases). All HIV-patients were under anti-retroviral therapy (ART) with good immunological and clinical responses for three of them. Three of them underwent previous unsuccessful surgical cure. Management included ART, antibiotics and surgery. Surgical approaches were perineotomy alone or with martius’ flap, procto-perineotomy or trans-vaginal advancement flap. Outcome was satisfactory for all HIV patients (closure of fistula and fecal continence).

Conclusions: Local infection is a rare cause of RVF which was associated with HIV in our series. Combined treatment including antibiotics, HAART and surgery gave good results.

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