Compensation for a Negligent Vesicovaginal Fistula
The symptoms of a vesicovaginal fistula can devastate a woman's life. If her problems are due to negligent surgery, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
What is a vesicovaginal fistula?
A vesicovaginal fistula is an abnormal passage or hole between the bladder and the vagina.
As can be imagined, such an injury can allow urine to leak from the bladder out of the body via the vagina rather than through the urethra. Because the vagina is not designed to deal with the passing of urine, there is no anatomical structure to prevent this happening and the woman affected can leak urine without control.
Understandably, this can be extremely embarrassing and can affect a woman's ability to work.
Hysterectomy and vesicovaginal fistulas
The bladder is located immediately next to the uterus or womb and vagina. This means that it is vulnerable to damage during gynaecological surgery. If a woman is undergoing a hysterectomy where the uterus and possibly the surrounding reproductive structures are removed, the bladder may be accidentally damaged. Extreme caution should be used in identifying and manipulating the pelvic organs during gynaecological surgery in order to avoid such an outcome. However, occasionally, injury to the wall of the bladder does occur.
Responding to an accidental vesicovaginal fistula
Ideally, such damage would be identified at the time and repaired.
If it is not noticed and repaired during the original surgical procedure, the woman may be left with a hole between the bladder and the vagina, allowing urine to leak from one to the other.
She may soon start to suffer problems with urine leakage via the vagina.
If the fistula is small, the effects may be minimal but with a larger gap between the two organs, the leakage of urine can be continuous and significant.
If a vesicovaginal fistula is not repaired at the time of injury the woman affected is likely to need further surgery to correct the problem at some point in the future. In the interim period, she may become dependent on a catheter in order to cope with the urinary difficulties.
Making a compensation claim
In addition to the pain, suffering and risks associated with additional surgery, a woman with a vesicovaginal fistula may find it difficult to work and suffer financial losses.
A successful compensation claim can provide recompense for all these issues.
Speak to a solicitor
If you are suffering the debilitating and distressing impact of a negligent vesicovaginal fistula, contact Glynns to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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