A review of postoperative care for obstetric fistulas in Nigeria

Nigeria harbors an estimated 40% of all the women affected with obstetric fistulas today, and at the current rate of treatment in this country, it would take about 300 years to treat them if no new fistulas occurred. This situation obviously runs contrary to the ideals of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and needs to be reversed. We reviewed the literature on fistula treatment in Nigeria to identify strategies and practices that, if adopted, would likely accelerate the pace of fistula repair and improve postoperative fistula care in this country. A comprehensive nationwide survey, a stronger political will and commitment of resources, a systematic postoperative care and follow-up, more fistula centers, and more fistula campaigns are necessary. Technically, the involvement of all surgeons trained in fistula repair and an experience-based postoperative management protocol will relieve the disease burden carried by women living with fistulas in Nigeria.