Fistula: Introduction

Abstract

The female genital and urinary tracts share a common embryological origin and therefore the potential for intraoperative and postoperative injury should always be taken into consideration when operating on either one. It has been estimated that urinary tract injuries complicate approximately 1% of all gynecologic procedures and cesarean sections [1]. These injuries are usually divided into two categories: 1. acute intraoperative complications such as a bladder, ureter and/or urethra perforation or laceration that are usually identified immediately during the primary surgery 2. late postoperative (chronic) complications such as various kinds of urinary tract fistulae or stenosis, which can occur later on after the operation or even several years after radiotherapy. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Milan.