Perceived health status after mid-urethral sling revision in 287 women from the VIGI-MESH registry: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health status and recovery of women after mid-urethral sling (MUS) revision in response to complications. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using a questionnaire sent to women from a registry. SETTING: Twenty-two French surgical centres. POPULATION: A total of 287 women from the VIGI-MESH registry responded, having undergone MUS revision for complications. METHODS: Our sample of women were compared against a representative set of French women taken from the Eurostat database. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify clinical predictors for successful MUS revision. A qualitative analysis was carried out on free-text comments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health status, defined by the Minimum European Health Module, and recovery, assessed by Patient Global Impression of Improvement. RESULTS: The response rate was 76% (287/378), with 49% of the women (141/287, 95% CI 43%-55%) reporting good health status, which was 8 points lower than that expected from the comparator French set (57%, 95% CI 55%-58%). Overall, 53% (147/275, 95% CI 47%-59%) of the women reported feeling much better after MUS revision. Just over one-third (35%, 95/275, 95% CI 29%-40%) of respondents reported poor health with little or no improvement. Multivariate analysis showed that being operated on for pain at revision was associated with worse self-perceived health than being operated on for exposure (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.14-0.95); women with pre-existing comorbidity reported a poorer health status following MUS revision (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.13-0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that half of the women recovered good health status after MUS revision, whereas a proportion appeared to be seriously affected by an MUS complication despite the revision.

["Do uro-gynecology multidisciplinary team meeting modify therapeutic management?"] / « Les réunions de concertation pluridisciplinaire de pelvi-périnéologie modifient-elles les prises en charges thérapeutiques ? ¼.

INTRODUCTION: Since the banning of trans-vaginal meshes for pelvic organ prolapse treatment by the FDA in 2019, French authorities have been gradually regulating the use of prosthetic materials in urogynecology. The decision to fit a mid-urethral sling or a reinforcement implant for the cure of prolapse, as well as the management of complex genital prolapse and serious post-implant complications, must be the subject of multidisciplinary consultation and a shared medical decision. To comply with these regulations, multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs) have been set up. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of these meetings on patient management. MATERIAL: We carried out a retrospective study in a tertiary hospital in France on all cases presented in MDTM of urogynecology over the year 2022. MDTMs were held weekly, with a "Prosthesis MDTM" focusing on slings, sacrocolpo/hysteropexies and prosthetic complications, lead by the urology team, and a "Prolapse MDTM" focusing on pelvic organ prolapse and complex prolapses, lead by the gynecology team. We compared the initial proposal of the patient's referring physician versus the final proposal of the MDTM. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-five cases were presented in our center in 2022: 188 in Prosthetic MDTM and 187 in Prolapse MDTM. The Prosthetic and Static MDTMs agreed with the initial proposal in 83 and 64% of cases respectively, while the therapeutic strategy was questioned in 12 and 36% of cases respectively. CONCLUSION: For almost a quarter (24%) of patients, the MDTM of urogynecology opted for a different management from that proposed by the referring physician. The presentation of cases to the MDTM is a legal obligation in specific indications. It also plays an educational role, enabling shared decision-making and responsibility, which is an asset in functional surgery.

Development of a predictive tool for sacral nerve modulation implantation in the treatment of non-obstructive urinary retention and/or slow urinary stream: a study from the Neuro-Urology Committee of the French Association of Urology.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to seek predictive factors and develop a predictive tool for sacral nerve modulation (SNM) implantation in patients with non-obstructive urinary retention and/or slow urinary stream (NOUR/SS). METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective study including all patients who have undergone a two-stage SNM for NOUR/SS between 2000 and 2021 in 11 academic hospitals. The primary outcome was defined as the implantation rate. Secondary outcomes included changes in bladder emptying parameters. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed and determined odds ratio for IPG implantation to build a predictive tool. The performance of the multivariable model discrimination was evaluated using the c-statistics and an internal validation was performed using bootstrap resampling. RESULTS: Of the 357 patients included, 210 (58.8%) were finally implanted. After multivariable logistic regression, 4 predictive factors were found, including age (≤ 52 yo; OR = 3.31 CI95% [1.79; 6.14]), gender (female; OR = 2.62 CI95% [1.39; 4.92]), maximal urethral closure pressure (≥ 70 cmH2O; OR: 2.36 CI95% [1.17; 4.74]), and the absence of an underlying neurological disease affecting the lower motor neuron (OR = 2.25 CI95% [1.07; 4.76]). Combining these factors, we established 16 response profiles with distinct IPG implantation rates, ranging from 8.7 to 81.5%. Internal validation found a good discrimination value (c-statistic, 0.724; 95% CI 0.660-0.789) with a low optimism bias (0.013). This allowed us to develop a predictive tool ( https://predictivetool.wixsite.com/void ). CONCLUSION: The present study identified 4 predictive factors, allowing to develop a predictive tool for SNM implantation in NOUR/SS patients, that may help in guiding therapeutic decision-making. External validation of the tool is warranted.

Efficacy and safety of the TENSI+ device for posterior tibial nerve stimulation: A multicenter, retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TC-PTNS) is a validated option for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) management, with a short-term success rate of around 60% and few adverse events. Our goal was to report the efficacy and safety results of TC-PTNS using the newly issued device TENSI+ for LUTS management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 7 urology departments in France. All patients treated with TC-PTNS for LUTS using the TENSI+ device between September 2021 and February 2022 were included. All patients received supervised at-home training by a specialized nurse. All patients were asked to do daily, 20minutes sessions of TC-PTNS. Patient demographics, history, initial symptoms and previous treatment were collected at inclusion. A follow-up visit was scheduled at 3 months. Efficacy was evaluated through treatment persistence at 3 months and PGI-I (Patient Global Impression of Improvement) score. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients (86 women and 17 men) were included. All patients had overactive bladder symptoms, 64 suffered from urgency incontinence, and 24 had associated voiding symptoms. Eighteen patients had neurogenic background, and 30 previously received anticholinergics. After a median follow-up of 12 [10-21]weeks, 70 patients were still using the device (68%). PGI-I score reflected an improvement in 70.9% and was 1, 2 and 3 in 28, 26 and 19 patients respectively, while 24 were unchanged and 6 were worse. No clinical baseline parameter was predictive of success. Adverse events included pain at stimulation site (two cases) and pelvic pain (two patients), which rapidly resolved after treatment interruption. CONCLUSIONS: TC-PTNS with TENSI+ device is an effective option for LUTS management, with results that seem similar to other TC-PTNS approaches. Adverse events were mild and reversible after treatment interruption.

[Multidisciplinary meetings in pelvic floor disease in women: A national survey by the CUROPF among French urologists]. / Réunion de concertation pluridisciplinaire en pelvipérinéologie en France : résultats d'une enquête nationale du CUROPF auprès des urologues français.

INTRODUCTION: Multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) in the field of pelvic floor diseases in women tend to generalize, as they are required as mandatory before mid-urethral sling implantation or sacrocolpopexy by recent decrees published by the French health authorities. However, access to these meetings is variable in the French territory. The goal of the present study was to describe the existence and the settings of these kinds of meetings in France. MATERIEL AND METHODS: An on-line survey was conducted between June and July 2020 (stage 1) then between November 2021 and January 2022 (stage 2). A 15-item questionnaire was sent to all members of the Association française d'urologie (AFU). A descriptive analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-two completed questionnaires were sent back during stage 1 and 158 during stage 2. Early 2022, 61.3% of respondents had access to a pelviperineology MTM, with important difference according to geographical areas. Main activity of MTMs was case discussion of complex situations (68% of meetings). At the end of 2021, 22% of the respondents declared willing to stop partially or totally their pelviperineology activity, given the new regulations set in place by the authorities. CONCLUSION: Despite being absolutely mandatory in current clinical practice, MTMs in pelvic floor disease have spread slowly. MTMs implementation was still insufficient in 2022, and variable on the French territory. Some urologists declare having no access to such resources and about 1 out of 5 were considering to voluntary stop of decrease significantly their activity in this difficult context.

Do Surgeons Anticipate Women's Hopes and Fears Associated with Prolapse Repair? A Qualitative Analysis in the PROSPERE Trial.

Women's preoperative perceptions of pelvic-floor disorders may differ from those of their physicians. Our objective was to specify women's hopes and fears before cystocele repair, and to compare them to those that surgeons anticipate. We performed a secondary qualitative analysis of data from the PROSPERE trial. Among the 265 women included, 98% reported at least one hope and 86% one fear before surgery. Sixteen surgeons also completed the free expectations-questionnaire as a typical patient would. Women's hopes covered seven themes, and women's fears eleven. Women's hopes were concerning prolapse repair (60%), improvement of urinary function (39%), capacity for physical activities (28%), sexual function (27%), well-being (25%), and end of pain or heaviness (19%). Women's fears were concerning prolapse relapse (38%), perioperative concerns (28%), urinary disorders (26%), pain (19%), sexual problems (10%), and physical impairment (6%). Surgeons anticipated typical hopes and fears which were very similar to those the majority of women reported. However, only 60% of the women reported prolapse repair as an expectation. Women's expectations appear reasonable and consistent with the scientific literature on the improvement and the risk of relapse or complication related to cystocele repair. Our analysis encourages surgeons to consider individual woman's expectations before pelvic-floor repair.

[Treatment of female recurrent or not stress urinary incontinence with intrinsic sphincter deficiency: Sub-urethral retropubic adjustable sling (Remeex)]. / Traitement de l'incontinence urinaire d'effort féminine avec insuffisance sphinctérienne récidivée ou non : la bandelette rétropubienne ajustable Remeex.

INTRODUCTION: Recommendations for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD) or recurrent, are complex. They accept the use of sub-urethral slings (BSU), if unsuccessful the artificial urinary sphincter. The objective was to report the results in terms of continence and morbidity of the Remeex® Adjustable BSU in the treatment of SUI by ISD recurrent or non-recurrent. METHOD: Monocentric retrospective study of 70 patients with a mean age of 67.7 years (±12) operated of Remeex sling, between 2015 and 2019, was conducted. Preoperative and postoperative characteristics were analyzed from medical records. Two groups were analyzed: Group A (n=28) with no history of incontinence surgery and Group B (n=42) with history (recurrent). Patients who were totally continent (0 protection) and those who were socially continent (1 safety protection) were considered successful. RESULT: Postoperative success rate was similar between groups B (90 %) and A (92%) with respectively: 64% versus 71% of totally continent patients, 26% versus 21% wearing safety protection. The postoperative complications were mainly Clavien II (28%) such as urinary tract infections (6%), transient urinary retention (3%) and de novo bladder overactivity (20%) with no significant statistical difference between the groups. Six patients were reoperated (Clavien III): BSU detension (1%), vaginal exposure (4%) (including one total material removal for infection), varitensor explantation (1%) or scar disunion (1%). CONCLUSION: The Remeex® BSUA seems to lead to satisfactory perioperative results in patients with SUI with ISD recurrent or non-recurrent.

Urinary and sexual impact of pelvic reconstructive surgery for genital prolapse by surgical route. A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the rates of de novo stress urinary (SUI) and postoperative dyspareunia after both sacrocolpopexy/hysteropexy (SCP) and vaginal mesh surgery. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label study with two parallel groups treated by either SCP or Uphold Lite vaginal mesh was carried out. Study participants were ≥ 50 and < 80 years old patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stage ≥2 who were considered eligible for reconstructive surgery and who were sexually active with no dyspareunia and free from bothersome SUI at presentation. Women were assessed before surgery and at 4-8 weeks and 11-13 months after using validated measures including POP-Q, Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR), and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). Data were also collected for health economics evaluation. RESULTS: Of the required sample of 156 women, 42 women (19 SCP and 23 vaginal mesh) were only recruited owing to the discontinuation of vaginal mesh worldwide. The median follow-up was 376 days. The rates of bothersome de novo SUI were similar in the SCP and Uphold vaginal mesh groups (15.79 vs 15.00%, OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.22-4.14]). Among 30 sexually active patients at follow-up, the rates of women reporting de novo dyspareunia "usually or always" were 6.7% after SCP vs 13.3% after vaginal mesh (p = 1). Health economics evaluation showed a cost saving of 280€ in favor of the Uphold vaginal mesh technique, but no significant difference in the total cost (2,934.97€ for SCP vs 3,053.26€ for Uphold vaginal mesh). CONCLUSIONS: Bothersome de novo SUI and de novo dyspareunia occurred in approximately 15% and 23% of our study cohorts, with no significant difference between sacrocolpopexy/hysteropexy and anterior/apical vaginal mesh surgery. However, these results should be interpreted with caution owing to the small sample size.

The Virtue quadratic male sling for postradical prostatectomy urinary incontinence: 3-Year outcome measurements and a predictive model of surgical outcome from a European prospective observational study.

AIMS: This prospective multicenter observational study evaluated postprostatectomy incontinence treatment outcomes with Virtue male sling at 12 and 36 months. METHODS: Objective assessment was based on a 24-h pad weight test with improvement defined by a decrease >50% and cure by less than 1.3 g. Subjective assessment was based on the patient global impression of improvement and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-urinary incontinence-short form (ICIQ-UI-SF) questionnaires. Subgroups were analyzed by baseline severity of incontinence on a 24-h-pad test, body mass index (BMI), and pads usage. Factors associated with treatment response were assessed using logistic regression at Months 36. Complications were reported. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 117 men. Objective and subjective improvement were achieved in 54% and 35% and 51% and 34% at 12 and 36 months, respectively. Twenty-one percent and 19% were considered cured, respectively, at 12 and 36 months. No differences per baseline incontinence severity, BMI and pads usage were found at 36 months. Mean ICIQ-UI-SF score decreased from 15 to 9. Predictive factors were BMI, postvoid residual urine, number of nighttime urination, and ICIQ total score. Seven Clavien-Dindo Grade III (5.1%) including four Virtue sling revisions were reported. The most frequent Grade II complications were overactive bladder symptoms and pain reported in 10.3% and 2.9%, respectively. No complications required explantation. CONCLUSIONS: Virtue male sling is safe and effective in males with mild to severe postprostatectomy urinary incontinence over 36 months. Virtue could be considered an interesting option for postradical prostatectomy urinary incontinence with positive results over time even in patients with high BMI. The predictive model should be validated by further studies.

Unilateral versus bilateral sacral neuromodulation test in the treatment of refractory idiopathic overactive bladder: A randomized controlled pilot trial.

AIM: To compare treatment success rate in terms of improvement of bladder overactivity between unilateral and bilateral sacral neuromodulation testing. METHODS: A multicentric, parallel, randomized, open pilot trial (October 2012-September 2017) was conducted. Participants presented primary overactive bladder resistant to first-line treatments. Patients were excluded in case of secondary bladder, pelvic, or neurological condition. Patients were randomized between bilateral testing (n = 28) or unilateral testing (n = 27), to determine the best functional response before final implantation. The primary outcome was the rate of patients presenting at least 50% of clinical improvement at 1 month on urinary frequency, number of urge incontinence episodes or number of urinary urgency episodes. Symptom severity, implantation success rate, uroflowmetry, device tolerance, complications, and quality of life were also assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients have been included. The rate of patients presenting at least one significant clinical improvement at month 1 was 62% in the bilateral group versus 84% in the unilateral group (P = .0891), RR = 0.74 (0.51; 1.07). There was no significant difference between bilateral and unilateral groups in terms of improvement of urinary frequency (0% and 17%; P = .1115), number of urge incontinence episodes (52% and 63%; P = .4929) or number of urinary urgency episodes (57% and 74%; P = .2411). More complications were reported in the bilateral group than in the unilateral group (9 [47%] vs 4 [16%], respectively; P = .0239). CONCLUSION: Systematic bilateral sacral neuromodulation testing before final implantation did not appear to increase success rate compared with unilateral stimulation in the treatment of overactive bladder.

[Retrospective multicentric evaluation of the efficacy of four-arms and adjustable male slings in the management of mild and moderate urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy]. / Évaluation rétrospective multicentrique de l'efficacité de bandelettes sous urétrales quatre bras et ajustables dans la prise en charge des incontinences urinaires légères et modérées après prostatectomie totale.

INTRODUCTION: Objective of the study to carry out a retrospective multicentric evaluation of the efficacy of male slings in the management of mild and moderate urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. METHOD: We performed a multi-center study that included all patients with mild to moderate urinary stress incontinence after radical prostatectomy with adjustable slings or four-arm slings. We collected the number of protections before the procedure and one year after the application of the male sling. RESULTS: A 4 arms or adjustable sling was put to 65 men. The cure rate was 33.3% (n=5) for Remeex, 52% (n=13) for TOMS, and 46.7% (n=12) for Virtue (P=0.07). The failure rate was 26.7% (n=4) for Remeex, 24% (n=6) for TOMS, and 40% (n=10) for Virtue (P=0.18). The overall complication rate was 40% (n=6) for Remeex, 28% (n=7) for TOMS, and 16% (n=4) for Virtue (P=0.19). CONCLUSION: This multicentric retrospective series confirms that male slings are a usefull therapy for patients with mild or moderate urinary incontinence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Long-term anatomic and functional results of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the impact of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy on pelvic symptoms, quality of life and sexual function in patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse. Secondary goals included the assessment of anatomical correction, recurrence and complication rates. METHODS: This is a prospective, single-center study that included 82 patients between 2009 and 2016. A clinical evaluation took place before surgery, and was repeated at 3, 12, 36 and 60 months postoperatively. Patients routinely received an anterior prosthesis, associated with a posterior prosthesis in case of symptomatic rectocele. Patients included self-administered questionnaires for functional pelvic problems (PFDI-20), quality of life (PFIQ-7), and sexual function (PISQ-12), and a clinical examination with POP-Q staging, at each medical visit. RESULTS: Functional pelvic problems derived from prolapse (PFDI-20 scores) and their impact on patients' quality of life (PFIQ-7 score) significantly improved at 3, 12, 36 and 60 months postoperatively. Improvement on sexual activity was significant at 3 and 60 months postoperatively. Effective prolapse anatomical correction (POP-Q score < 2) was found in 94.4% and 97.2% of patients at the anterior and middle stages, respectively, at the end of follow-up, but only in 80.3% at the posterior stage. Symptomatic recurrence required surgical intervention in 4 patients (5.3%). CONCLUSIONS: This long-term follow-up prospective analysis confirms the good functional and anatomical results of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse.

Impact on quality of life and sexual satisfaction of continent cystostomy with enterocystoplasty in an adult neurologic population.

AIMS: To evaluate long-term general and urinary quality of life (QOL) and sexual satisfaction in adult neurologic patients undergoing continent cystostomy surgery associated with a bladder enlargement to treat neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. METHODS: Monocentre, retrospective series of adult neurologic patients who underwent continent cystostomy with bladder enlargement and followed-up in the long-term. We assessed during follow-up, urinary and renal function and patients filled QOL questionnaires on general QOL, sexuality and urinary (short form Qualiveen) disability. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were included and followed-up 77 months on average. Rates of patients' satisfaction, stomal and urethral continences were respectively of 98.7% (n = 51), 94.1% (n = 48), and 80.4% (n = 41). Impact of surgery on general QOL and autonomy were strong and positive (respective mean scores of 4.8 and 4.7 on a scale ranging from 1 to 5). Mean overall urinary Qualiveen QOL score was 0.8 (0.09-2.67) indicating a low negative impact of urinary disability on QOL. In patients <45 years, 52.6% (n = 10) reported a moderate to important improvement of their sexuality after surgery. Renal function remained stable during follow-up. CONCLUSION: In the long-term, continent cystostomy with bladder enlargement provides great satisfaction to almost most patients. It has a strong positive impact on general and specific urinary QOL, patients' autonomy and urinary continence. In young patients a positive impact on sexuality was also noticed. These encouraging data, that need to be confirmed, constitute interesting information to provide to neurologic patients to help them deciding whether they are willing to undergo continent cystostomy surgery.

Long-term efficacy and safety of tension free vaginal tape in a historic cohort of 463 women with stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We report retrospective data on the long-term safety and efficacy of the retropubic midurethral sling (MUS) in a large series of women with stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: In all, 517 patients were treated during the period January 2005 to June 2012 at a single centre in France. The Urinary Symptoms Profile score was used to identify women who were subjectively cured or improved or in whom treatment had failed. The rates of peroperative, and early (<30 days) and late postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 463 patients were evaluable at a mean (±SD) follow-up of 71 ± 23 months. At the last follow-up, 344 patients (74.3 %) demonstrated subjective cure, 55 (11.9 %) were improved and 64 (13.8 %) had treatment failure. Bladder perforations occurred in 33 patients (7.1 %); however, this had no effect on cure rate. In the early postoperative period, temporary intermittent self-catheterization was required in 10 patients (2.2 %) due to voiding difficulties. The most frequent long-term postoperative complication was de novo urge incontinence that was reported by 59 patients (12.7 %); seven patients (1.5 %) needed tape excision due to voiding difficulties and six (1.3 %) needed tape removal due to erosion or chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: The retropubic MUS was shown to be durable at a mean follow-up of 71 ± 23 months, with a high success/improvement rate and no serious long-term tape-induced adverse effects.

Obturator neuropathy: an adverse outcome of a trans-obturator vaginal mesh to repair pelvic organ prolapse.

We report a case of obturator neuropathy induced by trans-obturator vaginal mesh surgery for symptomatic cystocele. Initial electromyography excluded genito-femoral and pudendal nerve deficiency. Typical clinical arguments for severe obturator neuropathy at physical examination led to vaginal revision surgery with hemi-resection of the mesh to the ischio-pubic branch. This fully relieved obturator-induced pain and reversed adductor muscle motor deficiency.

Impact of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy on symptoms, health-related quality of life and sexuality: a medium-term analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy on symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and sexuality among women with symptomatic urogenital prolapse (UGP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis was carried out including 148 women with symptomatic UGP. Baseline characteristics, medical and obstetric history were recorded. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) classification was used to stage the UGP. Validated tools were used to evaluate symptoms (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, PFDI-20) and HRQL (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, PFIQ-7). Sexual function was evaluated using the Pelvic organ prolapse urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Measurements were recorded at the preoperative examination, then at 3 and 12 months after surgery. We compared the follow-up results with preoperative data. RESULTS: The anatomical results at 3 months showed a significant correction (P < 0.05) relative to the preoperative values, on the three pelvic floor parameters measured, with a clinical relapse rate of 6.3%. This improvement remained significant after 12 months (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the results obtained at 3 months and those at 12 months. At 3 months compared with the preoperative data, there was a significant improvement in PFDI-20 total mean score (32.24 vs 94.31, P < 0.05). At 12 months, the improvement remained significant (38.06 vs 94.31, P < 0.05) for all scores compared with the preoperative scores. Again, there was no difference between results at 3 months, and those at 12 months. The results showed a significant improvement in the PFIQ-7 score at 3 (16.61 vs 64.04, P < 0.05) and 12 months (18.21 vs 64.04, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the scores at 3 months and those at 12months. The total PISQ-12 score was linked significantly to urinary symptoms (P < 0.05), pelvic symptoms (P < 0.05) but not with ano-rectal ones. At 3 months, the total mean PISQ-12 score had improved significantly compared with the preoperative score (35.42 vs 32.07, P < 0.05). At this time, only two items of the PISQ-12 questionnaire were significantly increased: 'existence of negative emotions during sexual activity' (P < 0.05) and 'the avoidance of sexual activity because of prolapse' (P < 0.05). The total mean score remained significantly improved at 12 months (36.56 vs 32.07, P < 0.05) and there was no statistical difference compared with the results at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy resulted in the early improvement (primarily during the first 3 months) of all symptoms, HRQL and sexual function. This improvement was persistent in the medium term. Symptoms linked with UGP had different effects on sexuality fields. Anatomical improvement was not related to an improvement in all sexual fields.

Long-term results of artificial urinary sphincter for women with type III stress urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND: The use of the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in women is limited. OBJECTIVE: To analyse long-term results and mechanical survival of the AUS (AMS 800; American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Women with SUI who were treated between January 1987 and March 2007 were included in this prospective study. Only women with low closure pressure at urethral profile and negative continence tests, indicators of severe ISD, were included. INTERVENTIONS: An AUS was implanted. The surgical technique was modified in 1999, involving opening the endopelvic fascia on both sides and dissection in contact with the vaginal wall. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Assessment of complications was made pre- and postoperatively and continence status was based on pad usage. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to calculate mechanical survival of the device. Student t test and the chi-square test were used to compare continence and complication rates. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 376 AUS were implanted in 344 patients, whose mean age was 57 yr. The mean follow-up, plus or minus standard deviation, was 9.6±4.0 yr. At last follow-up, postoperative continence rates, assessed as fully continent (no leakage), socially incontinent (some drops but no pad), or incontinent (one pad or more), were 85.6%, 8.8%, and 5.6%, respectively. The 3-, 5-, and 10-yr device survival rates were 92.0%, 88.6%, and 69.2%, respectively. The mean mechanical survival was 176 mo (14.7 yr). Three risk factors for AUS survival were the number of previous incontinence surgeries, the presence of neurogenic bladder, and simultaneous augmentation enterocystoplasty. Principal limitation of the study is the absence of validated incontinence questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The AUS provides excellent outcome in women with ISD, with low explantation rate and very good device survival.

[Varicocele and male infertility: AFU 2006 guidelines]. / Varicocèle et infertilitè masculine: recommandations Comité Andrologie--AFU 2006.

The routine assessment of an infertile man with varicocele must comprise complete clinical interview including the patient's medical and reproductive history, physical examination and at least two sperm counts. Imaging examinations are not indicated to characterize the varicocele, except when physical examination is inconclusive. However; scrotal ultrasound can be useful in infertile men to detect concomitant diseases, especially testicular tumours. Treatment of varicocele must be proposed when all of the following conditions are present: 1) the varicocele is palpable; 2) the couple's infertility is documented; 3) there is no female infertility problem or this problem is potentially curable; 4) there is at least one abnormality of spermatic parameters on the sperm count. Treatment can also be proposed in men with palpable varicocele and spermatic abnormalities on the sperm count, even when they do not have any immediate plans to have a child. Young men with varicocele and a normal sperm count must be followed by sperm counts every one or two years. Treatment of varicocele must also be proposed to adolescents with varicocele and ipsilateral a reduction of testicular volume. Adolescents with varicocele associated with a normal-sized testis must be reviewed annually to measure testicular volume and/or sperm count when it can be performed. Surgery or percutaneous embolization are two possible treatment options for varicocele provided they are performed by a well trained and experienced operator. The treatment of varicocele can be considered to be first-line treatment in a patient with moderate oligo-astheno-teratospermia with no associated female infertility factor. IVF with or without ICSI can be considered to be first-line treatment in the presence of an independent female infertility factor requiring the use of these techniques. Concomitant treatment of varicocele can be considered to improve semen fertility. Persistence or relapse of varicocele can be treated by surgery or percutaneous embolization provided spermatic venography is performed to identify the site of persistent venous reflux. After treatment of varicocele, a sperm count must be performed approximately every three months for one year or until pregnancy is achieved.

[Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): prevalence in general practice and practical approach of French general practitioners. Results of a study based on 17,953 patients]. / Hyperplasie bénigne de la prostate (HBP) : prévalence en médecine générale et attitude pratique des médecins généralistes français. Résultats d'une etude réalisée auprès de 17.953 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the elements taken into account by French general practitioners to establish the initial diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to estimate the prevalence of BPH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1,698 doctors answered a questionnaire on their medical practice, and kept a register for two consecutive weeks comprising all men between the ages of 55 and 70 years seen in their practice. Men with no known BPH completed the IPSS (International Prostate Symptoms Score) questionnaire. The doctors described the management of the first three patients with an IPSS score > 8. RESULTS: The prevalence of BPH in the population of 33,077 men between the ages of 55 and 70 years consulting their general practitioner was 57.5%: 40.8% of patients had known BPH at the time of the visit and 29.9% of patients without known BPH reported voiding disorders (IPSS > or = 8). For the diagnosis of BPH, clinical interview was not systematically followed by digital rectal examination and urinalysis was rarely performed. Laboratory tests and ultrasound were the complementary investigations most frequently performed. CONCLUSION: BPH is a frequent disease whose prevalence is underestimated. This diagnosis should be considered more frequently when patients over the age of 55 consult their general practitioner.

[Fertility of the aging male]. / Fertilité de l'homme vieillissant.

Although the effect of ageing on female fertility has been well documented, the reproductive functions of ageing males have been less extensively investigated. Unlike females, males do not experience a sudden arrest of gonadal endocrine and exocrine functions characteristic of menopausal ovarian deficiency. It therefore appeared useful to review the course of male fertility with age and the genetic consequences for children related to paternal ageing. The most recent histological and endocrine examinations demonstrate progressive alterations of testicular endocrine and exocrine function with ageing. Deterioration of male fertility with ageing can also be demonstrated by studying semen parameters. A review of the literature presented in this article demonstrates a decline in semen volume and a reduction of sperm mobility and the percentage of normal forms. The age-related variations of sperm concentration is more controversial. The study of the fertilizing property of spermatozoa raises difficult methodological problems. Under conditions of natural reproduction, the other factors of the couple's fertility (the spouse's age, declining frequency of sexual intercourse, etc.) constitute confounding factors and may introduce a bias in the analysis. However, epidemiologically, there is a strong correlation between the age of spouses. The study of male fertility in medically assisted procreation is more clearly documented. The various published series clearly demonstrate a reduction of the results with increasing paternal age. Age-related deterioration of male fertility is also associated with an increased genetic risk for the offspring, especially an increased risk of chromosomal aberrations and autosomal dominant mutations responsible for various malformations or functional disturbances and an increased risk of sex-linked recessive mutations.