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495 Fistula Victims Treated

191
Healthcare Trainees

4 Medical Specialists Trained

60 trained in fistula care

2,000,000 people reached

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Association of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons of Tanzania

The Association of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons of Tanzania was established in the year 2010. it’s a charitable nonprofit organization focusing on assisting victims of childbirth injuries and other related problems 

About AOFST

Our Vision

To bring hope, dignity and better life to women with obstetric fistula in Tanzania

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What is Fistula?

A fistula is an abnormal connection or tunnel that forms between two organs, vessels, or structures in the body that are not normally connected.

What are the symptoms

Symptoms and complications of fistulas can vary widely depending on their location and cause, but they may include pain, drainage of fluids or pus, infection, and other functional issues. Treatment often involves surgery to close the fistula and prevent recurrence

Causes

The causes of fistulas can vary depending on their type and location. Generally, fistulas form when tissues become damaged or infected, leading to abnormal connections between organs or structures. Here are some common causes based on the type of fistula:

1. Infection or Inflammation

  • Abscesses: Infections can lead to abscess formation, which may then create a passageway (fistula) to the skin or other organs. For example, anal abscesses can lead to anal fistulas.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause chronic inflammation in the intestines, leading to fistulas forming between the intestine and other organs or the skin.
  • Tuberculosis: In rare cases, TB can cause fistulas, particularly in the chest or abdomen.

2. Surgical Complications

  • Post-surgery: Fistulas can form after abdominal or pelvic surgeries, such as gastrointestinal surgeries, appendectomy, or hysterectomy, where unintended connections develop between internal organs.
  • Obstetric injuries: Obstetric fistulas (e.g., vesicovaginal fistulas) can develop after traumatic childbirth, especially when there is prolonged labor or use of forceps. These can cause tears between the vagina, bladder, and rectum.

3. Trauma or Injury

  • Accidents or Blunt Trauma: Physical injuries, particularly those that affect the abdominal, pelvic, or anal regions, can lead to the formation of fistulas. For instance, pelvic fractures may lead to rectovaginal fistulas.
  • Penetrating injuries: Gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or surgery can cause injury to organs and lead to fistula formation.

4. Cancer

  • Cancerous growths: Tumors, especially in the digestive tract (e.g., colon cancer) or reproductive organs, can invade nearby tissues and create abnormal connections (fistulas) between organs. For example, colorectal cancer may result in a colovesical fistula (between the colon and the bladder).
  • Radiation therapy: In some cases, radiation used to treat cancer can cause tissue damage that leads to fistula formation. This is common in the pelvic region, such as rectovaginal fistulas after pelvic radiation.

5. Chronic Medical Conditions

  • Crohn’s disease: A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to complications like fistulas between the bowel and the skin or other organs.
  • Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) in the colon can result in fistulas, such as between the colon and the bladder (colovesical fistula).
  • Chronic kidney disease: Dialysis patients may develop arteriovenous fistulas—abnormal connections between arteries and veins created surgically to facilitate dialysis.

6. Congenital Causes

  • Congenital fistulas are present at birth and may develop in various areas, such as the tracheoesophageal fistula, where an abnormal connection forms between the esophagus and trachea in newborns.

7. Foreign Bodies

  • The presence of a foreign body like a catheter, surgical mesh, or other medical devices can sometimes cause irritation and lead to fistula formation if the device erodes through tissues.

8. Radiation and Chemotherapy

  • Radiation therapy and chemotherapy used for cancer treatment can damage tissues and blood vessels, leading to fistulas, especially in the pelvic or abdominal regions.
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Acc Number: 2230660389 Association of obstetric fistula surgeons of Tanzania NMB