Vesico-Vaginal and Recto-Vaginal Fistula and Death Caused by a Vaginal Foreign Body in a Body-Packer

Abstract

Foreign body retained for long duration sometimes causes vesico-vaginal and recto-vaginal fistula. We report a 60-year-old woman with vaginal foreign body causing vesico-vaginal and recto-vaginal fistula; she died after foreign body removal due to septic shock. The patient had vaginal purulent discharge, abdominal pain, and a septic shock. A fragment of stone (limestone) was present in the vagina, which was removed. The patient developed urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence after removal of the foreign body. The examination demonstrated the presence of vesico-vaginal and recto-vaginal fistula. The patient died four days after removal of the foreign body due to septic shock and multi-visceral failure. During the extraction foreign body, bacteria could be disseminated into the systemic circulation and might cause septic shock. Thus, wide-spectrum antibiotic therapy must be used before the procedure, which may decrease the chance of septic shock.