Urogynecology

Commentary on 'Defecatory dysfunction and other clinical variables are predictors of pessary discontinuation'

Commentary on: Sacral neuromodulation treating chronic pelvic pain: a meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature

Letter to the editor: The negative predictive value of preoperative urodynamics for stress urinary incontinence following prolapse surgery

Commentary on: Effects of mesh-related complications in vaginal surgery on quality of life

Laparoscopic management of a large urethral leiomyoma Abstract Introduction and hypothesis A 42-year-old female presented with a 12-cm mass bulging the anterior vaginal wall and causing urgency urinary incontinence and bulk symptoms. Methods Imaging showed a tumor originating from the dorsal and cranial part of the urethra and developing in the vesicouterine space and vesicovaginal septum, dislocating the bladder ventrally and the uterus cranial-dorsally. Results Tranvaginal biopsy showed a benign leiomyoma. A laparoscopic approach with development of the vesicouterine space permitted a safe partial morcellation of the myoma. After the bladder and vaginal wall had been completely freed, further caudal dissection was conducted with isolation of the distal cranio-dorsal portion of the urethra. The dissection plane with the vaginal wall was developed up to the caudal margin of the urethral myoma almost corresponding to the vulvar plane, and total excision of the lesion was performed. Conclusion Laparoscopic management of urethral leiomyomas that develop into the vesicouterine space and vesicovaginal septum is feasible and safe also for very large lesions.

Laparoscopic bilateral cervicosacropexy: introduction to a new tunneling technique Abstract Introduction and hypothesis To elevate and suspend the apical end of the vagina, the uterosacral ligaments (USL) were replaced by polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) structures. These PVDF structures were placed in the peritoneal folds of the USL at the pelvic wall to mimic the lateral and backward tension and to avoid rectal obstruction. A special tunneling device was used, which allowed the semi-circular placement of the structure without destroying the peritoneum. Methods A 59-year-old woman with mixed urinary incontinence and apical prolapse (pelvic organ prolapse quantification system, POP-Q, stage 2) of the uterus underwent laparoscopic bilateral USL replacement. USLs were replaced by PVDF structures by performing the cervicosacropexy (CESA) technique using a semi-circular tunneling device. Results Apical support was restored (POP-Q stage 0), and the patient was continent thereafter. The tunneling device was pulled through the peritoneal folds of the USLs toward the cervix. The new USL structures were brought to their physiological position. The new technique did not lead to any complications and did not cause any side effects during 1-year follow-up. Conclusions Restoration of apical prolapse and urinary continence was achieved by bilateral USL replacement using a semi-circular tunneling device that was inserted through the lateral abdominal trocar incision.

Effects of wearing supportive underwear versus pelvic floor muscle training or no treatment in women with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence: an assessor-blinded randomized control trial Abstract Introduction and hypothesis In our previous single-arm pilot study, we reported that ready-made supportive underwear (shaper) was effective in elevating the bladder neck and reducing urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of wearing a shaper compared with pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) at home using a training compact disc with music, or no treatment, in an assessor-blinded randomized control trial, on reducing UI symptoms. Methods Participants aged 30–59 years with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence were randomly assigned to three groups: the shaper group, PFMT group, and no treatment group. The UI episodes/week and the Japanese version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form were compared between the baseline and the 6th or 12th week of the intervention period. Results Eighty-nine women who completed the 12-week intervention period were analyzed. After the 12-week intervention period, the improvement rate in UI symptoms (ratio of the case number in which the UI episodes/week decreased at least 50% from the baseline) was 73.3% (22/30 women) in the shaper group, 74.2% (23/31 women) in the PFMT group, and 25.0% (7/28 women) in the no treatment group. The improvement rate in UI symptoms in the shaper and PFMT groups was significantly higher than that in the no treatment group (both P < 0.001). Conclusions Wearing supportive underwear (shaper) was almost as effective as PFMT at home in reducing UI symptoms.

Perioperative adverse events in women undergoing concurrent urogynecologic and gynecologic oncology surgeries for suspected malignancy Abstract Introduction and hypothesis This study's objectives were to compare the incidence of adverse events after concurrent urogynecologic and gynecologic oncology surgery to gynecologic oncology surgery alone and to describe the frequency of modification in planned urogynecologic procedures. The authors hypothesized there would be no difference in major complications. Methods This was a retrospective matched cohort study of women who underwent concurrent surgery at a large tertiary care center between January 2004 and June 2017. Cohorts were matched by surgeon, surgery route, date, and final pathologic diagnosis. Perioperative data and postoperative adverse events classified by Clavien-Dindo grade were compared. Results One hundred and eight patients underwent concurrent surgeries, with 216 matched cohorts. Concurrent-case patients were more likely to be older, postmenopausal, have greater vaginal parity, have had preoperative chemotherapy, and have preoperative cardiac or pulmonary disease. There were no differences in intraoperative complications or Dindo grade ≥ 3 adverse events between groups, but there were more grade 2 adverse events in the concurrent cohort (44 vs 19%, p < 0.0001) including postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) (26 vs 7%, p < 0.0001). Concurrent surgery remained associated with a higher incidence of grade ≥ 2 events on multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–4.2, p = 0.0004). Discharge with a urinary catheter was more frequent after concurrent cases (35 vs 2%, p < 0.0001). Planned urogynecologic procedures were modified in 10% (n = 11) of cases. Conclusions Concurrent surgeries have an increased incidence of minor but not serious perioperative adverse events. One in ten planned urogynecologic procedures is either modified or abandoned during combined surgeries.

Interventions to reduce morbidity from vault hematoma following vaginal hysterectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis Abstract Introduction and hypothesis A frequent complication following vaginal hysterectomy is the formation of vaginal vault hematoma. The objective of our systematic review was to assess the impact of various interventions in reducing the incidence of vault hematoma or postoperative febrile morbidity following vaginal hysterectomy. Methods We carried out a systematic search of Cochrane, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, HTA database, PROSPERO, meta-Register of Controlled Trials (mRCT), PubMed, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, conference abstracts, and a hand search of journals from inception until September 2018. Our search strategy included interventions in women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy with modified vault closure with inclusion of peritoneal edges, vaginal vault drainage, or vaginal packing to reduce the incidence of clinically significant vault hematomas. Two independent reviewers (SR and AD) extracted data using a structured proforma. Meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.3 software. Results We identified two studies on modified vaginal vault closure incorporating peritoneal edges that reported a significant reduction in vault hematoma incidence. Meta-analysis of two randomized trials on vaginal drains showed no difference in postoperative febrile morbidity secondary to vault hematoma [risk ratio (RR) 0.8, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.43–1.50]. Similar results were seen on meta-analysis of four randomized trials on the use of vaginal packing (RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.43–1.50). Conclusions Inclusion of peritoneal edges in vaginal vault closure may reduce the incidence of vault hematoma. The routine use of vaginal vault drainage and/or packing has not shown to reduce vault hematoma incidence or postoperative febrile morbidity. We recommend a change of practice to include peritoneal edges in vault closure based on the evidence available in our systematic review.

Reintegration needs of young women following genitourinary fistula surgery in Uganda Abstract Introduction and hypothesis Genitourinary fistulas (usually arising following prolonged obstructed labor) are particularly devastating for women in low-income counties. Surgical repair is often difficult and delayed. While much attention has been devoted to technical surgical issues, the challenges of returning to normal personal, family, and community life after surgical treatment have received less scrutiny from researchers. We surveyed young Ugandan women recovering from genitourinary fistula surgery to assess their social reintegration needs following surgery. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 61 young women aged 14–24 years was carried out 6 months postoperatively. Interviews were carried out in local languages using a standardized, interviewer-administered, semistructured questionnaire. Data were entered using EpiData and analyzed using SPSS. Results Ongoing reintegration needs fell into interrelated medical, economic, and psychosocial domains. Although >90% of fistulas were closed successfully, more than half of women had medical comorbidities requiring ongoing treatment. Physical limitations, such as foot drop and pelvic muscle dysfunction impacted their ability to work and resume their marital relationships. Anxieties about living arrangements, income, physical strength, future fertility, spouse/partner fidelity and support, and possible economic exploitation were common. Sexual dysfunction after surgery—including dyspareunia, loss of libido, fear of intercourse, and anxieties about the outcome of future pregnancies—negatively impacted women's relationships and self-esteem. Conclusions Young women recovering from genitourinary fistula surgery require individualized assessment of their social reintegration needs. Postoperative social reintegration services must be strengthened to do this effectively.

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com