KARACHI: Medical professionals have expressed alarm about the nation’s sharp rise in iatrogenic genital tract fistula cases, which are abnormal connections made by accident by a surgeon during an operation between the vagina and the bladder or ureter. They have also called for compensation for the affected female patients as well as action against healthcare providers.
They made these remarks at a news conference held at PMA House by the Pakistan Medical Association, the Society of Surgeons Pakistan, and the Pakistan National Forum on Women’s Health.
Senior gynecologist Dr. Shershah Syed stated, “While obstetric fistula cases in Pakistan are declining, iatrogenic fistula cases have increased dramatically in recent years.”
He continued by saying that one hospital in Karachi corrected almost 600 cases of iatrogenic fistulas last year.
Demand payment to patients in cases where a surgeon causes an injury to them while performing surgery.
He recalled that at least 17 of the patients in these circumstances had undergone anesthesia.
He clarified that significant surgeries such lower uterine segment caesarean sections and abdominal hysterectomies are performed by unskilled surgeons, which results in this kind of fistula.
“In Pakistan, these surgeries are frequently carried out by trained physicians who have never had any surgical training. He said, “There are also neurosurgeons performing medical procedures that belong to obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs), general surgeons, urologists, orthopaedic surgeons, and unsupervised postgraduate trainees.
He added that more incidences of iatrogenic fistula are occurring as a result of quacks and traditional birth attendants doing procedures.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan permitted OBGYN trainees to pursue courses in ultrasound/radiology rather than urology or general surgery, “for some strange reason,” which surprised Dr. Shershah.
Few postgraduate centers in Pakistan offer postgraduate trainees structured training, as noted by Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro. Candidates are compelled by this system to take short routes, earn graduate degrees, and begin working as consultants. They are more prone to make mistakes that result in fistulas by severing the uterus left and right.
The experts insisted that in cases where a surgeon is held accountable for a harm sustained after surgery, patients should be paid.
“The hospital has a responsibility to support these patients and guarantee that their fistulas are fixed at no cost to them,” they declared, urging the leaders of medical schools and universities to keep an eye on the standard of postgraduate education.
Two Swedish surgeons on a visit to Pakistan, Drs. Amenda Strum and Martin Verriblom, were also in attendance.
They emphasized the need of using conservative care, emphasizing that minimally invasive methods should be pursued and that surgery should only be used as a last resort.
