The number of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) cases in the UK appears to be increasing.
What the Data Show
- According to London Urology Specialists, approximately 100–150 cases of VVF occur in the UK each year, and this number seems to be rising. Nearly all cases are iatrogenic—often a complication of surgery like hysterectomy or Caesarean section.
- Surgical repair data—covering vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistulae—hover around 120 procedures per year, reflecting clinical activity.
Why Incidence May Be Increasing
Several factors could contribute to this trend:
- More pelvic surgeries (e.g., hysterectomies or cancer treatment procedures) increase the potential for iatrogenic injuries.
- Improved detection and referral systems may result in more cases being diagnosed and referred to specialist centres.
- There may be greater awareness among clinicians, leading to better identification of VVF symptoms rather than misclassification as incontinence or infection.
However, it’s also possible that better reporting is contributing to apparent increases rather than a true uptick in occurrence.
What We Still Don’t Know
- There is no comprehensive national registry for VVF in the UK, making long-term trend tracking difficult.
- Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) or surgical coding give partial insight, but more comprehensive data collection is needed to confirm real changes in incidence.
- It is not clear whether this increase reflects a true rise in cases or improved identification of existing ones.
Summary Table
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are VVF cases increasing in the UK? | Yes, reports suggest an increase (around 100–150 cases annually). |
| What’s the source of this increase? | Likely due to increased surgical risk, better detection, and referral. |
| Is there strong data trend analysis? | Not yet—no centralized registry; data are based on clinical reports. |
