Laparoscopic pectopexy: the learning curve and comparison with laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: In addition to laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LS), laparoscopic pectopexy (LP) is a novel surgical method for correcting apical prolapse. The descended cervix or vaginal vault is suspended with a synthetic mesh by fixing the bilateral mesh ends to the pectineal ligaments. This study was aimed at developing a learning curve for LP and to compare it with results with LS. METHODS: We started laparoscopic/robotic pectopexy in our department in August 2019. This retrospective study included the initial 18 consecutive women with apical prolapse receiving LP and another group undergoing LS (21 cases) performed by the same surgeon. The medical and video records were reviewed. RESULTS: The age was older in the LP group than in the LS group (65.2 vs 53.1 years). The operation time of LP group was significantly shorter than that of the LS group (182.9 ± 27.2 vs 256.2 ± 45.5 min, p < 0.001). The turning point of the LP learning curve was observed at the 12th case. No major complications such as bladder, ureteral, bowel injury or uncontrolled bleeding occurred in either group. Postoperative low back pain and defecation symptoms occurred exclusively in the LS group. During the follow-up period (mean 7.2 months in LP, 16.2 months in LS), none of the cases had recurrent apical prolapse. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic pectopexy is a feasible surgical method for apical prolapse, with a shorter operation time and less postoperative discomfort than LS. LP may overcome the steep learning curve of LS because the surgical field of LP is limited to the anterior pelvis and avoids encountering the critical organs.

Effects of uterine artery occlusion during myomectomy on ovarian reserve: Serial follow-up of sex hormone levels, ultrasound parameters and Doppler characteristics.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of uterine artery occlusion at myomectomy (UAO + M) on ovarian reserve based on serum sex hormone levels, ultrasound and color Doppler examinations. METHODS: In this cohort study, nine women with symptomatic uterine myomas underwent UAO + M were recruited. Each woman was assessed preoperatively and 3, 6 months postoperatively, through a serial of hormonal, ultrasound parameters and Doppler examination for ovarian stromal blood flow. The data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels before and 3, 6 months after UAO + M. The ovarian volume, antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian stromal blood flow had significant changes in the right ovary. Ovarian volume and AFC significantly reduced at 3 months and recovered at 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.046, P = 0.019, respectively). Peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity significantly decreased at 3 months and leveled off at 6 months (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). Resistance index significantly increased at 3 months and decreased at 6 months (P = 0.037). A similar trend in ultrasound and Doppler findings was observed in the left ovary, but no statistical significance was found. CONCLUSION: UAO + M had no detrimental effect on ovarian reserve 6 months postoperatively based on AMH and FSH levels. AFC, ovarian volume and stromal blood flow were transiently decreased in 3 months and recovered in 6 months.

Evaluation of the single-incision Elevate system to treat pelvic organ prolapse: follow-up from 15 to 45 months.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to assess the 2-year clinical outcomes of pelvic reconstructive surgery with the single-incision Elevate system (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA). METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from November 2010 to August 2013, and included 210 patients with pelvic organ prolapse stage 3 or 4 who underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery with an Elevate system and were followed for 1 to 3 years postoperatively. Assessments included pre- and postoperative Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stage, Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and multi-channel urodynamic examinations. Anatomical success was defined as postoperative POP-Q stage 0 or I. RESULTS: The anatomical success rates were 95 % for the anterior vaginal wall, 99 % for the posterior vaginal wall and 94 % for the apical vaginal wall after a median 27 months of follow-up. POP-Q, UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores, maximal flow rate and post-voiding residual urine all improved significantly after surgery. Complications included 1 case of internal bleeding, 4 cases of mesh exposure, 5 cases of recurrent prolapse that required salvage operations, and 3 cases of urine retention that required intermittent catheterization. There were no bladder or bowel injuries during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic reconstructive surgery with the Elevate system yielded good anatomical outcomes and symptom improvement after 2 years of follow-up.

Medium-term comparison of uterus preservation versus hysterectomy in pelvic organ prolapse treatment with Prolift™ mesh.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We conducted a medium-term assessment of clinical outcomes and complications after surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using Prolift™ mesh, and sought to determine whether concomitant hysterectomy clinically influenced the outcome of pelvic reconstruction in patients without a prior history of urogenital surgery. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with POP-Q stage 3/4 uterine prolapse at a tertiary referral urogynecology unit in South Taiwan who had undergone POP repair with Prolift mesh from May 2007 to July 2010 were identified by chart review. Concomitant hysterectomy was performed in 24 patients (hysterectomy group), and uterus-sparing surgery in 78 (uterus-sparing group) Preoperative and postoperative subjective assessments of urinary and prolapse symptoms, objective POP-Q score, urodynamic examination, and postoperative adverse events were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up periods were 25.7 months (range 6.2 - 73.1 months) and 31.7 months (range 6.0 - 78.4 months) in the concomitant hysterectomy and uterus-sparing groups, respectively. There were no between-group differences in functional and anatomic outcomes after surgery. No statistically significant differences were found in postoperative adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic reconstruction using Prolift with concomitant hysterectomy and uterus-sparing surgery have similar anatomic and functional results at 2.5 years. Therefore, we consider uterus-sparing surgery to be an alternative to hysterectomy in uterine prolapse repair.

In vitro extracellular matrix model to evaluate stroma cell response to transvaginal mesh.

AIMS: The use of surgical mesh for female pelvic floor reconstruction has increased in recent years. However, there is paucity of information about the biological responses of host stroma cells to different meshes. This study was aimed to establish an in vitro experimental model to study the micro-environment of extracellular matrix (ECM) with embedded mesh and the stroma cell behaviors to different synthetic meshes. METHODS: Matrigel multi-cellular co-culture system with embedded mesh was used to evaluate the interaction of stroma cells and synthetic mesh in a simulated ECM environment. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and NIH3T3 fibroblasts were inoculated in the system. The established multi-cellular Matrigel co-culture system was used to detect stroma cell recruitment and tube formation ability for different synthetic meshes. RESULTS: HUVEC and NIH3T3 cells were recruited into the mesh interstices and organized into tube-like structures in type I mesh material from Perigee, Marlex and Prolift 24 hr after cell inoculation. On the contrary, there was little recruitment of HUVEC and NIH3T3 cells into the type III mesh of intra-vaginal sling (IVS). CONCLUSIONS: The Matrigel multi-cellular co-culture system with embedded mesh offers a useful in vitro model to study the biological behaviors of stroma cells in response to different types of synthetic meshes. The system can help to select ideal mesh candidates before actual implantation into the human body.

Comparison of short-term outcomes following pelvic reconstruction with Perigee and Apogee systems: hysterectomy or not?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to compare the surgical outcomes between hysterectomy and uterine preservation in pelvic reconstruction with Perigee and Apogee systems for severe pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: Ninety-one women who have undergone transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery with Perigee and Apogee systems for severe pelvic organ prolapse were divided into two groups: hysterectomy (n = 39) and uterine preservation (n = 52). The pre-operative and post-operative assessments include subjective urinary and prolapse symptoms, objective pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system, urodynamic examination, and complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8.9 months (range, 0.9-26.5). There were no anatomical differences between the two groups other than a longer perineal body in the hysterectomy group (3.9 vs. 3.6, p < 0.05) and a longer total vaginal length in the uterine preservation group (8.2 vs. 7.8, p < 0.05). Preservation of uterus has significantly reduced operative time, blood loss, and days of urine indwelling catheter (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hysterectomy and uterine preservation have comparable anatomical outcomes and post-operative complications in pelvic reconstruction with Perigee and Apogee systems at short-term follow-up.

Changing trends of surgical approaches for uterine prolapse: an 11-year population-based nationwide descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The interest of uterus-preserving surgery has been growing. Based on a nationwide database, we examined surgical procedures for uterine prolapse in Taiwan during the study period of 1997-2007, a total of 11 years. METHODS: The operations, either uterine suspension or hysterectomy, due to the diagnosis of uterine prolapse were indentified into the study. Data on several parameters were collected for analysis, i.e., the surgical type, patient factors (age and concomitant anti-incontinence surgery), surgeon factors (age and gender), and hospital factors (accreditation level and ownership). Data of this study were obtained from the inpatient expenditures by admission files of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). The NHIRD was established by the National Health Research Institute with the aim of promoting research into current and emerging medical issues in Taiwan. RESULTS: In total, 31,038 operations were identified for this study. There was a trend for increased use of uterine suspension with uterine preservation during the latter years, evidenced by joinpoint regression analyses. More women who were younger (<50 years) or had concomitant anti-incontinence surgery received uterine suspension. Younger surgeons (<50 years) and male surgeons tended to perform more uterine suspensions. As for hospital accreditation, more uterine suspension surgeries were performed in regional hospitals, followed by local hospitals and medical centers. As for hospital ownership, more uterine suspension surgeries were performed in private hospitals, followed by not-for-profit and government-owned hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a considerable change in the surgical approach for uterine prolapse in Taiwan over the past 11 years. Patient age and concomitant anti-incontinence surgery, surgeon age and gender, and hospital accreditation and ownership may correlate with the choice of surgery for women with uterine prolapse.

Primary and repeated surgeries for ectopic pregnancies and distribution by patient age, surgeon age, and hospital levels: an 11-year nationwide population-based descriptive study in Taiwan.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the changing trend, repeat operation rate, and distribution of laparoscopy, as compared with laparotomy, in treating ectopic pregnancy, according to patient age, preoperative conditions, surgeon age, and hospital accreditation level, in Taiwan over 11-years. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Population-based nationwide insurance database. PATIENTS: Women who underwent either laparotomy or laparoscopy because of ectopic pregnancy. INTERVENTIONS: Women who had National Health Insurance (NHI) underwent various surgical procedures to treat ectopic pregnancy. Data for this study were obtained from the Inpatient Expenditures by Admissions files of the NHI Research Database, released by the NHI program in Taiwan between 1997 and 2007. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 43 170 women with 44 928 operations were identified. Only the primary surgeries, via either laparotomy or laparoscopy, performed because of ectopic pregnancy were included for analysis. The annual number of procedures to treat ectopic pregnancies decreased in the later years of the 11-year study. Laparotomy decreased significantly, from 81.2% in 1997 to 26.2% in 2007, whereas laparoscopic procedures increased significantly, from 18.8% in 1997 to 73.8% in 2007, as evidenced at log-linear regression analysis (p < .001). The rate of repeat operations because of persistent ectopic pregnancy was higher in the laparoscopy group than in the laparotomy group (0.38% vs 0.14 %; p < .001). Patients were more likely to undergo the same type of operation for the repeated surgery (i.e., laparotomy to laparotomy in 73.1% or laparoscopy to laparoscopy in 80.2%; p = 0.43). Use of laparoscopy (58.1%) and laparotomy (41.9%) differed according to patient age, preoperative comorbidities, surgeon age, and hospital accreditation level and ownership type. With older patients, those with preoperative anemia or shock, and elder surgeons, there was a greater chance that laparotomy would be performed. The probability of undergoing laparotomy was greater in patients in regional hospitals, local hospitals, and office-based clinics compared with those in medical centers. CONCLUSIONS: There has been considerable change in the type of surgical approach used to treat ectopic pregnancy in Taiwan over the past 11 years. Laparoscopy is preferred to laparotomy, and has become the standard surgical approach to treating ectopic pregnancies in Taiwan. However, laparoscopy is associated with a higher rate of repeat operations. The laparoscopic approach signifies a profound change in treating ectopic pregnancies among patients, surgeons, and hospital types.

Polypropylene mesh as an alternative option for uterine preservation in pelvic reconstruction in patients with uterine prolapse.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of polypropylene mesh for uterine preservation during pelvic reconstruction in patients with severe uterine prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 67 women with severe uterine prolapse (pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage III/IV) who received transvaginal mesh reconstruction with uterine preservation. Surgery combined with a transobturator membrane sling procedure (tension-free vaginal tape-transobturator route) was performed in 54 patients. Among them, 18 had urodynamic stress incontinence, 30 had occult stress urinary incontinence, and six had mixed urinary incontinence. Objective assessments were carried out with the pelvic organ prolapse quantification staging system, urodynamic examination, and 1-h pad test. Evaluation of urinary and prolapse symptoms comprised the subjective assessment. RESULTS: The mean follow-up interval was 19.6 months (12-40 months). The objective cure rate for the treatment of uterine prolapse was 89.5%, and the objective cure rate for the treatment of urinary incontinence was more than 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine preservation in pelvic reconstruction is technically feasible and the subjective and objective assessments imply that uterine preservation in pelvic reconstruction is an alternative option for indicated patients.

Hysteroscopic cervical features associated with difficult embryo transfer in unselected patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND: The most appropriate diagnostic tests for the assessment of the uterine cavity in patients undergoing standard infertility evaluation in daily practice remain unclear. Routine hysteroscopic uterine cavity evaluation before an in vitro fertilization-embyo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle is not a uniformly accepted procedure. However, cervical findings associated with difficult ET have rarely been reported in previous hysteroscopic studies. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cervical finding under flexible outpatient hysteroscopy (OH) and difficult ET. METHODS: A cohort clinical study was conducted with 650 patients undergoing their first in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from January 2010 to December 2017. Of them, 605 women with available embryos underwent transfer cycles. Outpatient hysteroscopies were scheduled during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, 1-3 months before starting IVF/ICSI treatment. RESULTS: Among the 650 women who underwent transvaginal sonography (TVS) and OH, abnormal sonographic findings were observed in 51 women (7.8%) in which submucous myoma, endometrial polyp, and endometrial hyperplasia were the most common. Abnormal hysteroscopic intracavitary findings were observed in 158 cases (24.3%) in which endometrial polyp, submucous myoma, and intrauterine adhesions were the most common. These results showed that TVS was specific (100%) but not sensitive (32.3%) compared with OH. Embryo transfer (ET) was difficult in 25% of women with cervical stenosis (CS) or tortuous cervical canal (TC) and was significantly more difficult in women in the TC group (30.7%) than in the CS group (19.6%). CONCLUSION: OH can identify cervical charactistics associated with a high incidence of difficult ET.

Comparison of Prolift, Perigee-Apogee, Prosima, and Elevate transvaginal mesh systems in pelvic organ prolapse surgery: Clinical outcomes of a long-term observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the long-term clinical outcomes of four different transvaginal mesh systems. METHODS: This retrospective study included 695 patients classified into four groups (Prolift, n = 132; Perigee-Apogee, n = 186; Prosima, n = 60; Elevate; n = 317), with a median follow-up time of 5.8 years (range 0.5-12.2 years). The outcomes were objective anatomic success (Pelvic Organ Prolapse [POP] Quantification system stage ≤1), mesh exposure, and urologic functional assessments. RESULTS: For anatomic outcomes, we stepwise analyzed the short-term (within 3 years) and long-term (after 3 years) results. Prolift had the highest long-term success rate (9 years: 82.1%, P = .007). Elevate had a comparable short-term success rate (3 years: 87.5%), but its long-term success rate significantly decreased over time (5 years: 78.6%, 9 years: 66.8%, P = .007). Prosima had the lowest short-term success rate (P = .027). For the long-term mesh exposure rate (9-year cumulative), Elevate had the lowest with 11.1%; next were Perigee-Apogee (18.8%) and Prolift (24.6%); and Prosima had the highest with 39.4%, with a significant difference. In terms of urinary functional results, we observed no significant differences in voiding dysfunction, de novo stress urinary incontinence, or de novo overactive bladder symptoms among the four mesh groups, whether combined with midurethral sling surgery or not. CONCLUSION: Different vaginal mesh designs have various advantages and features. Prolift provided the best long-term anatomic success but had a high mesh exposure rate. Elevate gave comparable short-term success but had a decreased long-term success rate. However, Elevate is superior with the lowest long-term mesh exposure rate. Prosima had the worst anatomic correction and highest mesh exposure rates. This study provides a comprehensive long-term comparative result for POP patients and surgeons.

Surgical Trend and Volume Effect on the Choice of Hysterectomy Benign Gynecologic Conditions.

With the advance of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the surgical trends of hysterectomy changed significantly during past 2 decades. Total number (age-standardized) of all types of hysterectomy decreased, which may be due to the availability of some other alternatives, e.g. hysteroscopy, laparoscopic myomectomy. However, laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) still remains the mainstream of surgical treatment. LH significantly increases for benign gynecologic conditions in Taiwan and worldwide. The increase of LH was accompanied with decrease of TAH; VH kept stationary, and SAH increased slightly. The increase in popularity of LH and SAH; provides evidence of surgical trends and a paradigm shift for hysterectomy. This time-frame shift suggests LH has reached a u during the later years. Older patients tend to receive AH, while middle-aged women tend to receive LH. Oder surgeons tend to perform AH, while younger surgeons tend to perform LH. However, all type hysterectomy and LH were more commonly performed by older surgeons aged over 50 years. It means both patients and surgeons became older during the time-frames. The above phenomena may also happen due to less young surgeons entered in the gynecologic practice. Most of the LHs were performed by high-volume surgeons, however, there is a shift from high-volume, to medium- and low-volume surgeons. The above scenario may be due to the wide spread of LH techniques. Surgical volume has important impacts on both complications and costs. The high-volume surgeons have lower complications, which result in lower costs. In the future, how to increase the use of LH, to improve the training and monitoring system deserves more attentions.

The surgical effect on overactive bladder symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

This study aimed to explore the effect of pelvic reconstruction surgery on the relation of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and overactive bladder (OAB) and the impact of preoperative vaginal oestrogen supplement on vaginal tissue. A total of 100 postmenopausal women with symptomatic POP who underwent pelvic reconstruction surgery (laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy or transvaginal mesh) were enrolled in this study. Preoperative vaginal oestrogen was prescribed in 28 cases. The evaluation tools consisted of POP-Q, urodynamic study, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and urinary NGF. Vaginal maturation index and vaginal specimens for hormone receptors study were investigated during operation to evaluate the effect of topical oestrogen. Follow-up assessments were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Preoperatively, 58 (58%) were POP with OAB. After reconstruction surgery, the OABSS decreased significantly (6.87 ± 0.85 vs 3.77 ± 0.61, p < 0.001) at postoperative 6 months in the group. Remarkable increasing trends of urinary NGF levels are noted till 3 months postoperatively, then decreasing to the baseline level at 6 months postoperative follow-up. Remarkable decrease of mRNA of the androgen receptor and significant higher expression of progesterone receptor (PR) were noted after use of the vaginal oestrogen cream. The severity of OAB in the POP women shows moderate degree according to OABSS. Pelvic reconstruction surgery can significantly improve the OAB symptoms. The surgery induced inflammation effect lasts for about 6 months. Short-term preoperative supplement of topical oestrogen brings alterations of the vaginal epithelium.

Short-term results of stress urinary incontinence in women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with and without midurethral sling.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the short-term results of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) with and without midurethral sling (MUS). METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from July 2012 to December 2017. Women with stage 3 or 4 in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) who underwent LSC were recruited. Multichannel urodynamic studies were performed in all women. Assessment included pre- and postoperative POP-Q stages, urodynamic parameters, peri- and postoperative complications, and symptoms. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria in total. A total of 19.5% (23/118) of them had concomitant MUS. The mean follow-up duration was 16.9 ±  16.0 (range 3-69) months. Meanwhile, 33.9% (40/118) of the patients were diagnosed with overt SUI, and 50% (20/40) underwent MUS. In the concomitant MUS group, the rate of having postoperative SUI was only 5% (1/20). Patients diagnosed with SUI and without concomitant MUS had a 45% rate (9/20), and 25% of them (5/20) received MUS later. Preoperatively, 16.1% (19/118) of the patients were diagnosed with occult SUI. Among the patients without anti-incontinence sling during prolapse surgery, 25% (4/16) of them complained about having SUI during the follow-up. However, none of the women required subsequent anti-incontinence surgery. Postoperative de novo SUI occurred to 13.6% (16/118) of them. None of the patients received further operation. Based on the preoperative and postoperative urodynamic studies in the combination surgery group, a significant improvement was observed in the pad test. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of LSC with MUS procedure is likely to be beneficial in selected patients.

Sacrospinous ligament fixation with uterine preservation reduces the risk of anatomical recurrence in pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effectiveness of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) and whether uterine preservation reduces the anatomical recurrence rate. METHODS: The medical records of 82 patients who received SSLF in a single medical center were reviewed retrospectively. Anatomical recurrence was defined as Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification stage 2 or higher in any compartment. The primary outcome was intergroup analysis for uterine preservation and concomitant hysterectomy patients. The secondary outcomes were anatomical recurrence risk factors and the incidence of adverse events. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for demographic differences between groups. RESULTS: The anatomical recurrence rate was 19.5%, and the retreatment rate was 11.0% (mean follow-up duration: 22.9 months). Cystocele was the most common recurrent compartment (17.1%). The uterine preservation group (n = 66) was younger, had lower parity, and had fewer stage 3 to 4 cystoceles and uterine prolapses than the concomitant hysterectomy group (n = 16). Shorter operation times (99.4 minutes vs 153.7 minutes, P = .002) and lower anatomical recurrence rates (11.5% vs 45.5%, P = .039) were found in the uterine preservation group before and after PSM. Previous pelvic organ prolapse surgery (hazard ratio 3.14) and concomitant hysterectomy (hazard ratio 4.08) were identified as risk factors for anatomical recurrence. The most common adverse event was buttock pain (14.6%), which resolved spontaneously within 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: SSLF is an effective surgical method using native tissue for pelvic reconstruction. Compared with concomitant hysterectomy, SSLF with uterine preservation reduces the anatomical recurrence rate.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Protected the Functional and Architectural Integrity of Rodent Urinary Bladder against Ketamine-Induced Damage.

This study tested the hypothesis that extracorporeal-shock-wave (ECSW) protected the functional and anatomical integrity of rat urinary-bladder against ketamine-induced damage. In in vitro study, the rat bladder smooth muscle cells (RBdSMCs) were categorized into G1 (sham-control), G2 (RBdSMCs + menadione), G3 (RBdSMCs + ECSW) and G4 (RBdSMCs + menadione + ECSW). The results showed protein expressions of oxidative-stress/mitochondrial-damaged biomarkers (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein/cytosolic-cytochrome-C/cyclophilin-D), inflammatory markers (MyD88/TRAF6/p-IKB-α/NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6/IL-1ß/MMP-9/iNOS), and cell-stress response signalings (ASK1/p-MKK4/p-MKK7/ERK1/2//p-JNK/p-p38/p-53) were significantly increased in G2 than in G1 and G3, and those were significantly reversed in G4 (all p < 0.0001). Adult-male SD rats (n = 24) were equally categorized into group 1 (sham-control), group 2 (ketamine/30 mg/kg/daily i.p. injection for four weeks), group 3 [ketamine/30 mg/kg + ECSW/optimal energy (0.12 mJ/mm2/120 impulses/at 3 h and days 3/7/14/21/28 after ketamine administration)] and group 4 [(ketamine/30 mg/kg + ECSW/higher energy (0.16 mJ/mm2/120 impulses)] and animals were euthanized by day 42. The results showed the urine levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-6) were lowest in group 1, highest in group 2 and significantly higher in group 3 than in group 4 at days 1/7/14/28 (all p < 0.0001). The duration of urinary bladder contraction was lowest in group 2, highest in group 1 and significantly higher in group 4 than in group 3, whereas the maximal pressure of urinary bladder exhibited an opposite pattern of bladder contraction among the groups (all p < 0.0001). The histopathological findings of fibrosis/inflammation/keratinization and protein expressions of oxidative-stress/mitochondrial-damaged biomarkers (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein/cytosolic-cytochrome-C/cyclophilin-D), and inflammatory (TLR-2/TLR-4/MyD88/TRAF6/p-IKB-α/NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-1ß/MMP-9/iNOS) and cell-stress response (ASK1/p-MKK4/p-MKK7/ERK1/2//p-JNK/p-p38) signalings and apoptotic/fibrotic biomarkers (cleaved-caspas3/cleaved-PARB/Smad3/TFG-ß) exhibited an identical pattern of urine proinflammatory cytokine among the groups (all p < 0.0001). ECSW effectively attenuated ketamine-induced bladder damage and dysfunction.

Combined melatonin-adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells therapy effectively protected the testis from testicular torsion-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: This study tested the hypothesis that combined melatonin (Mel) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) treatment was superior to either one alone on protecting the testis against acute testicular torsion-induced ischemia-reperfusion (TTIR) injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male adult SD rats (n = 30) were equally categorized into group 1 (sham-operated control), group 2 [TTIR/by torsion of right/left testis (i.e., ischemia) with rotated 720° counterclockwise for 2 h, then detorsion (i.e., reperfusion) to the original position for 72 h], group 3 (TTIR + Mel/intraperitoneal administration/50 mg/kg at 30 min after ischemia, followed by 20 mg at 3 h and days 1/2/3 after TTIR), group 4 (TTIR + ADMSCs/1.2 × 106 cells/by tail-vein administration at 30 min after ischemia, followed by days 1/2 TTIR), and group 5 (TTIR + Mel + ADMSCs/tail-vein administration). The result showed that the protein expressions of oxidative-stress (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized-protein), apoptotic/mitochondrial-damaged (mitochondrial-Bax/cleaved-caspase3/cleaved-PARP/cytosolic-cytochrome C), and fibrotic (TGF-ß/Smad3) biomarkers as well as testicular damage scores were lowest in group 1, highest in group 2, and significantly higher in groups 3/4 than in group 5, but they showed no difference between groups 3/4, whereas the protein expressions of androgen receptor (AR) and vimentin showed an opposite pattern of oxidative stress (all p < 0.0001). The cellular levels of inflammation (MMP-9/MPO/CD68) exhibited an identical pattern, whereas the numbers of Sertoli cells, α-tubulin, AR and vimentin as well as thickness of seminiferous tubule exhibited an opposite pattern of oxidative stress among the groups (all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Mel-ADMSCs effectively protected the testis against TTIR injury.

Mesh-related complications in single-incision transvaginal mesh (TVM) and laparoscopic abdominal sacrocolpopexy (LASC).

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have investigated the long-term impact of synthetic mesh reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on patient outcomes. This study aimed to examine the incidence and risk factors of mesh exposure and the subsequent requirement for surgical interventions due to mesh-related complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from November 2010 to April 2018. We recruited women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stage 3 or 4 who underwent mesh reconstructive surgery for POP, and enrolled 487 women who received transvaginal mesh (TVM) and 110 women who received laparoscopic abdominal sacrocolpopexy (LASC). Assessments included mesh exposure rate and mesh-related complications requiring surgical interventions in both groups. RESULTS: In the LASC group, the overall mesh-related complication rate was 8.18% over a mean follow-up period of 18 months. Concomitant laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy was associated with mesh exposure (OR = 9.240; 95% CI = 1.752-48.728). No patients in the concurrent supracervical hysterectomy group were exposed to mesh. In the single-incision TVM group, the overall rate of mesh-related complications was 3.29% over a mean follow-up period of 19 months. Concomitant total vaginal hysterectomy was also a risk factor for mesh exposure (OR = 4.799; 95% CI = 1.313-17.359). CONCLUSION: Preserving the cervix or uterus decreased the rate of mesh exposure in those undergoing TVM and LASC surgery. The overall rate of mesh-related complications was low after up to 8 years of follow-up.

Long-term effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on attenuating radiation-induced chronic cystitis in rat.

BACKGROUND: This study tested the long-term effect of extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) therapy on ameliorating radiotherapy-induced chronic cystitis (CC) in rat. METHODS AND RESULTS: Adult-female SD rats (n = 24) were equally categorized into group 1 (normal control), group 2 (CC induced by radiotherapy with 450 cGy twice with a four-hour interval to the urinary bladder), group 3 [CC with ECSW treatment (0.1 mJ/mm2/120 impulses once every 3 days after radiotherapy)]. Bladder specimens were harvested by day 60 after radiotherapy. By day 60, the degree of detrusor contraction was significantly reduced in group 2 than groups 1 and 3, and significantly reduced in group 3 than in group 1 (P < 0.0001). Number of WBC, occulted blood and bacteria were significantly higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.01), but they showed no difference between the latter two groups (P > 0.3). The protein expressions of oxidative stress (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein), apoptosis (cleaved-caspase-3/cleaved-PARP), DNA-damaged marker (γ-H2AX), fibrosis (TGF-ß/Smad3) and inflammatory signaling (TLR-4/MYD88/Mal/TRAF6/p-IκBα/p-NFκB/TNF-α/MMP-9/COX-2) were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1, and were significantly reduced in group 3 (all P < 0.001). The cellular expressions of inflammatory (CD14+/CD68+/MIF+/MMP-9), immunoreactive (CD4+/CD8+) and cytokeratin (CK17/CK18) biomarkers, and collagen-deposition/fibrotic areas as well as bladder-damaged score/disruption of the bladder mucosa displayed an identical pattern compared to that of oxidative stress among the three groups (all P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The long-term effect of ECSW treatment was reliable on protecting the urinary bladder from radiation-induced CC.

Use of an Ellik evacuator to remove tenacious bladder clots resulting from transvaginal oocyte retrieval: 2 cases and a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Transvaginal oocyte retrieval has become the common method for infertility couples undergoing artificial reproductive technology. Although it was considered to be safe, rare complications including urinary bladder injury were reported. CASE REPORT: We described two cases of bladder injury with refractory blood clots after oocyte retrieval, for whom conservative treatment failed. Diagnostic cystoscopy was performed and an Ellik evacuator was used for clot dissolution successfully. CONCLUSION: Urinary bladder injury with clots retention is a rare complication following ovary puncture. When tenacious clots become organized, the removal with traditional bladder irrigation may be difficult. We introduce Ellik evacuator as an effective and reliable procedure for evacuating tenacious clots in the urinary bladder.