MANAGEMENT OF GENITAL FISTULAS IN PATIENTS WITH CERVICAL-CANCER

Among 2096 patients treated for cervical cancer between 1985-1995, gen ital fistulas developed in 38 cases (1.8%). 16 patients were affected by rectovaginal, 13 patients had rectovesicovaginal and 9 patients had vesicovaginal fishtulas. Median age at time of first presentation of the fistulas was 54.8 years. Fistula size ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 cm in diameter. Faecal or urinary leakage through the vagina (44.7%), bleed ing (31.5%) and local pain (5.3%) were major clinical symptoms. 10 pat ients had surgery for the fistula, the remaining patients were managed conservatively.