Question 1

can you die from vesicovaginal fistula?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Untreated bladder infections could cause the infection to travel into your blood and cause sepsis.  This is not very common in healthy people.  A vesicovaginal fistula can make you more susceptible to a bladder infection.

Question 2

what are the most common symptoms of vesicovaginal fistula?

Accepted Answer

Urine leakage: A vesicovaginal fistula is a direct connection between the urinary bladder and the vagina.  This would allow urine to leak constantly into the vagina.  This type fistula would significantly increase the risk for urinary bladder infections.

Question 3

my friend says i should get checked to see if i have a vesicovaginal fistula. what is that?

Accepted Answer

Connection: A vesicovaginal fistula is an abnormal connection between the bladder and vagina. Symptoms might be constant leaking of urine out the vagina, or frequent urinary tract infections. A urogynecologist would be able to evaluate this problem.

Question 4

my sister says she has vesicovaginal fistula. are family members more likely to get the same thing?

Accepted Answer

No: Vesicovaginal fistula is an acquired condition, meaning it is not genetic in origin.  There isn't any clear genetic predisposition for this condition.

Question 5

where do fistulas form?

Accepted Answer

Depends: There are many kinds of fistulas. By definition a fistula is an abnormal communication from one organ to another. Anal fistulas arise from the anal crypts internally. Enterocutaneous fistulas connect the bowel to the skin, fistulas can develop from almost any organ and most often indicate some underlying disease process.

Question 6

how does fistula usually form?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: Either as a result of an infection that 'burrows' or from another source, e.g. Ibd (inflammatory bowel disease) - not to be confused with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

Question 7

how do you repair a rectal  fistula?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: A rectal fistula is usually an abnormal communication between the internal rectum and the surface skin adjacent to the anus. Coorection involves "connecting the dots" or excising the fistula. Surgery is done as an outpatient procedure. Healing is complete within 7-10 days.

Question 8

what does it mean to have a superficialization of my fistula done?

Accepted Answer

Closer to skin: This is to bring the vein which the dialysis nurses are trying to "needle" / access closer to the skin. Sometimes the vein itself is robust and the blood flow is adequate, but because of its depth the nurses have a hard time getting the access needles in. This will cause "infiltrations" or bleeding around the vein. A simple solution is to surgically bring the vein closer to the skin.

Question 9

is another name for fistula shunt?

Accepted Answer

Shunts: Can also be arterio venous fistulas that have occurred naturally due to disease or trauma or surgeon made for vascular access for dyalysis. There are other types of shunts and fistulas.  Need more specifics to help any further with an answer.

Question 10

what does a dialysis fistula actually do?

Accepted Answer

Access to blood: At dialysis needles are inserted into a fistual so bad blood (blood with abnormal electrolytes and toxins) are taken from your body and brought to the dialysis machine.  Then the good blood (blood with good electrolytes and free of toxins) are brought back to your body through the other needle in the fistula. The fistula provides the avenue where your blood can be treated.

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Vesicovaginal fistula in children

A member asked:

Can you die from vesicovaginal fistula?

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What are the most common symptoms of vesicovaginal fistula?

A member asked:

My friend says i should get checked to see if i have a vesicovaginal fistula. what is that?

A member asked:

My sister says she has vesicovaginal fistula. are family members more likely to get the same thing?

A member asked:

Where do fistulas form?

A member asked:

How does fistula usually form?

A member asked:

How do you repair a rectal fistula?

A member asked:

What does it mean to have a superficialization of my fistula done?

A member asked:

Is another name for fistula shunt?

A member asked:

What does a dialysis fistula actually do?

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