A complication of emergency caesarean section: delayed diagnosis of vesicouterine fistula with associated necrotising soft tissue infection and small bowel obstruction.

Abstract

Vesicouterine fistula (VUF) is a rare complication following caesarean sections, often presenting with the classic triad of Youssef syndrome (urinary incontinence with cyclic haematuria (menouria) and amenorrhoea) but sometimes without typical symptoms. We report a case of a woman in her early 30s who developed VUF after an emergency lower segment caesarean section, complicated by necrotising soft tissue infection (NSTI) of the left forearm. One week post-surgery, she presented with NSTI symptoms and haematuria, which were managed with broad-spectrum antibiotics and debridement. During her hospital stay, she experienced persistent urinary incontinence and burning micturition. Evaluation of these symptoms revealed acute intestinal obstruction, and a contrast CT indicated vesicouterine communication. Surgical exploration confirmed a perforated uterus with possible retained placental tissue, and a VUF. Subtotal hysterectomy and bladder repair were performed, and her recovery was smooth. This case underscores the importance of considering VUF in patients with post-caesarean urinary symptoms, despite its rarity.