Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40069727›Full record

ArticleReproductive health2025

LUSSY score predictive of failure of surgical closure of obstetric rectovaginal fistula in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Justin Lussy Paluku, Franck Katembo Sikakulya, Cathy Mufungizi Furaha, Eugénie Mukekulu Kamabu, Olivier Mukuku, Zacharie Kibendelwa Tsongo, Stanis Okitotsho Wembonyama, Charles Wembonyama Mpoy, Jeannot Sihalikyolo Juakali

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Article in Reproductive health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Justin Lussy PalukuDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Goma, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. justin.paluku@unigom.ac.cd.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1380-9998
Franck Katembo SikakulyaDepartment of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University Western Campus, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda.
Cathy Mufungizi FurahaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Goma, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Eugénie Mukekulu KamabuDepartment of Internal Medicine, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Olivier MukukuInstitut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6902-7023
Zacharie Kibendelwa TsongoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Stanis Okitotsho WembonyamaDepartments of Pediatrics and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7556-479X
Charles Wembonyama MpoyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jeannot Sihalikyolo JuakaliDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionRectovaginal fistula (RVF) is a complex debilitating condition that results from several etiologies, obstetric trauma being the most common. Occasionally RVF closure is non-successful. The objective of this study is to develop a predictive score to identify predictors of failure of surgical closure of obstetric RVF (FSCORVF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

methodsThis was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 268 patients with obstetric RVF who have received surgical management. We proceeded with a bivariate and then multivariate analysis. Score discrimination was assessed using the ROC curve and C-index and score calibration was done according to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test.

resultsSurgical closure of RVF failed in 12.31% of cases (33/268). After logistic modelling, five criteria emerged as predictive factors of FSCORVF (LUSSY Score): the presence of moderate/severe fibrosis (aOR: 36.25; 95% CI: 1.88-699.37), combined RVF with other type of fistula (aOR: 61.41; 95% CI: 8.78-429.72), fistula size > 3 cm (aOR: 82.45; 95% CI: 10.48-648.58), per-operative hemorrhage (aOR: 27.84;; 95% CI: 5.08-152.47) and postoperative infection (aOR: 1161.35; 95% CI: 46.89-28765.47). A score of 0 to 22 was obtained with a value ≤ 9 points indicating a low risk of FSCORVF, a value between 10 and 12 defining a moderate risk and the value ≥ 13 points corresponding to a high risk of FSCORVF. The area under the ROC curve of the score is 0.9744 with a sensitivity of 90.91%, a specificity of 97.87%, a positive predictive value of 85.71% and a negative predictive value of 98.71%.

conclusionThis study identified predictive factors for FSCORVF in the DRC, grouped in the LUSSY score. Complex fistulas (fistula size > 3 cm, severe fibrosis, combined fistulas) require advanced surgical routes different from the transvaginal and the transperineal ones used in the present study. Prevention of intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative infections requires rigorous preparation, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, and strict postoperative follow-up.

Indexed as

Obstetric Labor ComplicationsRectovaginal FistulaAdultCross-Sectional StudiesDemocratic Republic of the CongoFemaleHumansPregnancyRisk FactorsTreatment FailureYoung AdultFailure of surgical closureLUSSY scoreObstetric rectovaginal fistula

Identifiers

PMID40069727
PMCPMC11899124

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.