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Lower reproductive tract fistula repairs in inpatient US women, 1979–2006

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective of the study was to characterize trends in lower reproductive tract fistula (LRTF) repair in inpatient US women from 1979 to 2006.

Methods

Retrospective data was obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Survey regarding LRTF diagnoses, demographics, comorbidities, and fistula repair procedures, using ICD-9-CM diagnostic and procedure codes. Age-adjusted rates (AARs) were calculated using 1990 census data. Trends in LRTF surgical repair were evaluated using regression analysis.

Results

Between 1979 and 2006, the AAR of LRTF repair declined from 7.8 to 4.8 per 100,000 women (b = −2.97, p < 0.001). The most common surgical fistula repairs were rectovaginal, vesicovaginal, and colovaginal. The AARs of colovaginal and vesicovaginal fistula repair remained stable, while the AAR of rectovaginal fistula repair declined.

Conclusions

The AAR of inpatient LRTF repair declined between 1979 and 2006, perhaps reflecting a concurrent decrease in obstetric trauma, in the context of decreasing episiotomy and operative vaginal delivery and increasing cesarean section rates.

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Acknowledgments

This publication was made possible by Grant Number UL1 RR024153 from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of NCRR or NIH. Information on NCRR is available at http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Heidi W. Brown & Jerry L. Lowder

  2. Office of Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Li Wang & Clareann H. Bunker

  3. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Women’s Pelvic Medicine Center, 9350 Campus Point Drive, Suite 2a, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Heidi W. Brown

Authors
  1. Heidi W. Brown
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  2. Li Wang
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  3. Clareann H. Bunker
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  4. Jerry L. Lowder
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heidi W. Brown.

Additional information

This study was orally presented at the 31st Annual American Urogynecologic Society Scientific Meeting in Long Beach, CA on September 25, 2010.

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Brown, H.W., Wang, L., Bunker, C.H. et al. Lower reproductive tract fistula repairs in inpatient US women, 1979–2006. Int Urogynecol J 23, 403–410 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1653-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-011-1653-3

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