Dyspareunia and pelvic pain: comparison of mid-urethral sling methods 10 years after insertion.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The mid-urethral sling (MUS) has been used for more than 30 years to cure stress urinary incontinence. The objective of this study was to assess whether surgical technique affects the outcome after more than ten years, regarding dyspareunia and pelvic pain. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study we used the Swedish National Quality Register of Gynecological Surgery to identify women who underwent MUS surgery in the period 2006-2010. Out of 4348 eligible women, 2555 (59%) responded to the questionnaire sent out in 2020-2021. The two main surgical techniques, the retropubic and the obturatoric approach, were represented by 1562 and 859 women respectively. The Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12), as well as general questions concerning the MUS surgery, were sent out to the study population. Dyspareunia and pelvic pain were defined as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included PISQ-12, general satisfaction, and self-reported problems due to sling insertion. RESULTS: A total of 2421 women were included in the analysis. Among these, 71% responded to questions regarding dyspareunia and 77% responded to questions regarding pelvic pain. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the primary outcomes, we found no difference in reported dyspareunia (15% vs 17%, odds ratio (OR) 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.5) or in reported pelvic pain (17% vs 18%, OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.8-1.3) between the retropubic and obturatoric techniques among study responders. CONCLUSION: Dyspareunia and pelvic pain 10-14 years after insertion of a MUS do not differ with respect to surgical technique.

Effects of Obesity on Peri- and Postoperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Robotic versus Conventional Hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess if women with obesity have increased complication rates compared with women with normal weight undergoing hysterectomy for benign reasons and if the mode of hysterectomy affects the outcomes. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Prospectively collected data from 3 Swedish population-based registers. PATIENTS: Women undergoing a total hysterectomy for benign indications in Sweden between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017. The patients were grouped according to the World Health Organization's classification of obesity. INTERVENTIONS: Intraoperative and postoperative data were retrieved from the surgical register up to 1 year after the hysterectomy. Different modes of hysterectomy in patients with obesity were compared, such as open abdominal hysterectomy (AH), traditional laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), vaginal hysterectomy (VH), and robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy (RTLH). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Out of 12,386 women who had a total hysterectomy during the study period, we identified 2787 women with normal weight and 1535 women with obesity (body mass index ≥30). One year after the hysterectomy, the frequency of complications was higher in women with obesity than in women with normal weight (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]) 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.8). In women with obesity, AH was associated with a higher overall complication rate (aOR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.6) and VH had a slightly higher risk of intraoperative complications (aOR 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2-15.8), both in comparison with RTLH. Women with obesity had a higher rate of conversion to AH with conventional minimally invasive hysterectomy (TLH: aOR 28.2; 95% CI, 6.4-124.7 and VH: 17.1; 95% CI, 3.5-83.8, respectively) compared with RTLH. AH, TLH, and VH were associated with a higher risk of blood loss >500 mL than RTLH (aOR 11.8; 95% CI, 3.4-40.5; aOR 8.5; 95% CI, 2.5-29.5; and aOR 5.8; 95% CI, 1.5-22.8, respectively) in women with obesity. CONCLUSION: The use of RTLH may lower the risk of conversion rates and intraoperative bleeding in women who are obese compared with other modes of hysterectomy.

Cervical amputation versus vaginal hysterectomy: a population-based register study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Surgical management of uterine prolapse varies greatly and recently uterus-preserving techniques have been gaining popularity. The aim of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes after cervical amputation versus vaginal hysterectomy, with or without concomitant anterior colporrhaphy, in women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse. METHOD: We carried out a population-based longitudinal cohort study with data from the Swedish National Quality Register for Gynecological Surgery. Between 2006 and 2013, a total of 3,174 patients with uterine prolapse were identified, who had undergone primary surgery with either cervical amputation or vaginal hysterectomy, with or without concomitant anterior colporrhaphy. Pre- and postoperative prolapse-related symptoms and patient satisfaction were assessed, in addition to complications and adverse events. Between-group comparisons were performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in neither symptom relief nor patient satisfaction. In both groups a total of 81 % of the women reported the absence of vaginal bulging 1 year after surgery and a total of 89 % were satisfied with the result of the operation. The vaginal hysterectomy group had a higher rate of severe complications than the cervical amputation group, 1.9 % vs 0.2 % (p < 0.001). The vaginal hysterectomy group also had a longer duration of surgery and greater perioperative blood loss, in addition to longer hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical amputation seems to perform equally well in comparison to vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of uterine prolapse, but with less morbidity and a lower rate of severe complications.

Does the choice of suture material matter in anterior and posterior colporrhaphy?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The optimal suture material in traditional prolapse surgery is still controversial. Our aim was to investigate the effect of using sutures with rapid (RA) or slow (SA) absorption, on symptomatic recurrence after anterior and posterior colporrhaphy. METHODS: A population-based longitudinal cohort study with data from the Swedish National Quality Register for Gynecological Surgery. A total of 1,107 women who underwent primary anterior colporrhaphy and 577 women who underwent primary posterior colporrhaphy between September 2012 and September 2013 were included. Two groups in each cohort were created based on which suture material was used. Pre- and postoperative prolapse-related symptoms and patient satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS: We found a significantly lower rate of symptomatic recurrence 1 year after anterior colporrhaphy in the SA suture group compared with the RA suture group, 50 out of 230 (22 %) vs 152 out of 501 (30 %), odds ratio 1.6 (CI 1.1-2.3; p = 0.01). The SA group also had a significantly higher patient satisfaction rate, 83 % vs 75 %, odds ratio 1.6 (CI 1.04-2.4), (p = 0.03). Urgency improved significantly more in the RA suture group (p < 0.001). In the posterior colporrhaphy cohort there was no significant difference between the suture materials. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the use of slowly absorbable sutures decreases the odds of having a symptomatic recurrence after an anterior colporrhaphy compared with the use of rapidly absorbable sutures. However, the use of RA sutures may result in less urgency 1 year postoperatively. In posterior colporrhaphy the choice of suture material does not affect postoperative symptoms.

Decreased gene expression of fibrillin-1 in stress urinary incontinence.

AIMS: Studies to show impairments in the pelvic floor extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has earlier been performed, but the results are contradictory. Collagen I and III, the elastin associated proteins fibrillin-1 and fibulin-5 and the small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRPs) decorin, lumican and fibromodulin are involved in giving the tissue its mechanical properties. Their gene signals and tissue localizations were investigated. METHODS: Para-urethral punch biopsies were obtained from 24 women, 12 pre- and 12 postmenopausals, during surgery for SUI. As controls, biopsies were collected from 14 women, 8 pre- and 6 postmenopausals, undergoing surgery for other benign conditions. The mRNA expression by real-time RT-PCR and protein localization by immunohistochemistry were analyzed concerning collagen I and III, the small leucine rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRPs) decorin, lumican and fibromodulin and the elastic fiber associated proteins fibulin-5 and fibrillin-1. Statistical comparisons controlled for age changes in gene expressions. RESULTS: A significant decrease in mRNA expression of fibrillin-1 was discovered in all SUI women compared to all controls, P = 0.03. All molecules were down-regulated by age, but no other differences between SUI and controls reached significance. All proteins were adequately expressed by immunohistochemistry. A weaker staining for fibrillin-1 was seen in the pre-menopausal SUI group compared to the pre-menopausal controls. CONCLUSIONS: A decreased gene signal and weaker immunoreactivity for fibrillin-1, important for the elastic fiber assembly, was discovered in women with SUI. Loss of tissue elasticity could lead to increased urethra hypermobility and SUI.

Gene expressions of small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans and fibulin-5 are decreased in pelvic organ prolapse.

Few studies are performed on the sustainability of the pelvic floor extracellular matrix important for preventing development of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Collagens I and III, the elastin-associated proteins fibrillin-1 and fibulin-5 and the small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRPs) decorin, lumican and fibromodulin are involved in giving the tissue its mechanical properties. Para-urethral biopsies were obtained from 15 women, 6 pre- and 9 post-menopausal, with POP. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry for collagen I, collagen III, fibrillin-1, fibulin-5, decorin, lumican and fibromodulin were performed and compared with 14 controls, 8 pre- and 6 post-menopausal. Statistical comparisons controlled for age changes in gene expressions. A 16-fold decrease in decorin mRNA expression, P = 0.0001, and 8-fold in lumican mRNA expression, P = 0.001, were discovered in premenopausal POP compared with matched controls. In all women with POP, there were lower gene expressions of fibromodulin, P = 0.004, and fibulin-5, P = 0.001, compared with all controls. All proteins were detectable by immunohistochemistry, showing a weaker staining for decorin in premenopausal POP. For the first time, we show substantially decreased gene signal for production of SLRPs, regulators of collagen fiber assembly and impairment in elastic fiber assembly by down-regulation of fibulin-5 in POP.

New concepts and trends in vaginal prolapse surgery.

Despite poor results in prolapse surgery, the operative procedures have basically remained unchanged for 100 years. It has been postulated that lifting restrictions and other measures of inactivation are crucial for the success. Even though most of what is done in prolapse repair is not evidence based, few have challenged the prevailing concepts. However, tradition-based policies are now being scrutinized and in accordance with other operations, time of hospitalization is sharply reduced at many institutions. The reintroduction of local anesthesia and sedation offers potential advantages compared to regional- or general anesthesia. Although augmentation by foreign material is not altogether a new concept, the introduction of commercial kits make mesh procedures more standardized, but not necessarily technically more easy to perform. As molecular biology provides more and more evidence about the importance of the quality of the connective tissue, it is conceivable that foreign material in prolapse repair is here to stay. In this period of time it is more essential than ever to scientifically document the results of the new concepts. In the Nordic countries, where the first registries were set up for Tensionfree Vaginal Tape (TVT), a cooperative effort among 53 institutions is under way to evaluate mesh repairs in prolapse surgery.

Pelvic floor sex steroid hormone receptors, distribution and expression in pre- and postmenopausal stress urinary incontinent women.

BACKGROUND: Hormonal influence on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is under debate. Sex steroid hormonal activity is mediated by nuclear receptor proteins. The aim of this study is to identify receptor isoforms and their genetic expression in the pelvic floor extra cellular matrix (ECM), and to compare women with and without SUI before and after menopause. METHODS: Sub-mucosal para-urethral biopsies from 4 pre-menopausal and 8 postmenopausal patients with SUI were analysed immunohistochemically regarding estrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta, the progesterone receptor (PR) (A+B) and B, and the androgen receptor (AR). Six pre-menopausal and 5 postmenopausal women served as controls. All receptors were scored manually. Additionally, ER-alpha and ER-beta were quantified by image analysis. Biopsies from 7 pre-menopausal and 7 postmenopausal women suffering from SUI were studied by real-time RT-PCR for expression of ER-alpha, ER-beta, PR and AR. The control group consisted of 5 pre-menopausal and 5 postmenopausal women. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry revealed receptor-positive cells for all isoforms in all groups. Higher ER-beta scores were seen in the pre-menopausal SUI group compared to controls. Lower PR-B scores were found after menopause in both groups. The image analysis confirmed that ER-beta was significantly increased in the pre-menopausal SUI group compared to controls (p=0.02). By real-time RT-PCR, no difference of mRNA expression regarding any receptor was detected between any SUI and control group. ER-beta mRNA levels were low or undetectable. There was a significant down-regulation of PR among postmenopausal women (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The para-urethral ECM is a target for sex steroid hormones mediated by the respective receptor. The significant higher expression of ER-beta protein in the pre-menopausal SUI-group was not reflected by a corresponding up-regulation of mRNA which was poorly expressed in all groups.

Young women with genital prolapse have a low collagen concentration.

BACKGROUND: Genital prolapse is a common and handicapping form of pelvic floor dysfunction. To explain its genesis as a result of endopelvic connective tissue weakness, the collagen state was analyzed in women with and without genital prolapse. METHODS: Punch biopsies from the paraurethral ligaments were obtained during the operation from 22 women undergoing surgery for genital prolapse. As controls, similar biopsies were taken from 13 women who underwent gynecologic surgery for other benign reasons. Collagen concentration as hydroxyproline and its extractability by pepsin digestion were studied in relation to age by multiple regression, two-way anova, Levene's test, and Student's t-test. Histological examination was also performed. RESULTS: Women, younger than 53 years, with genital prolapse had a 30% lower collagen concentration than age-matched controls, which reached significance, P = 0.01. The extractability by pepsin digestion, an indicator of cross-links in the collagen molecule, did not significantly differ between groups. It did, however, decrease significantly with age in both prolapse patient and control groups. Morphology supported these findings with a less-dense extracellular matrix composition subepithelially in genital prolapse compared to a healthy control. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we show that young women with genital prolapse have a decreased collagen concentration, suggesting a different organization of the endopelvic connective tissue extracellular matrix. Furthermore, these alterations differ from those earlier found in younger women with stress urinary incontinence.