Vitamin D status in women with pelvic floor disorder symptoms.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to characterize the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status with pelvic floor symptom distress and impact on quality of life. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed in women with a 25(OH)D level drawn within 1 year of their gynecology/urogynecology visit. Validated questionnaires including the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI)-8 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) were used. Multivariate analyses characterized pelvic floor disorder (PFD) symptom differences among women by vitamin D status. RESULTS: We studied 394 women. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) 25(OH)D levels were higher in women without than with PFD symptoms (35.0 ± 14.1 and 29.3 ± 11.5 ng/ml, respectively (p < 0.001)]. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 51% (136/268). CRADI-8 and IIQ-7 scores were higher among women with vitamin D insufficiency (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively). Higher IIQ-7 scores were independently associated with vitamin D insufficiency (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient vitamin D is associated with increased colorectal symptom distress and greater impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life.

Modified Beef Tongue Model for Fourth-Degree Laceration Repair Simulation.

BACKGROUND: An existing model for fourth-degree laceration repair uses beef tongue with plastic or vinyl tubing. This modified model substitutes beef tripe for the anal mucosa and chicken leg muscles for the anal sphincter muscle analogs to create a realistic model. METHOD: Tripe is tunneled through the body of the trimmed beef tongue and sutured like an ostomy to simulate the anal canal. The tongue is incised toward the tripe "anal canal." Chicken leg muscles are tunneled from the incision out to the cut edges of the beef tongue to create anal sphincter muscle analogs. Procedures can be repeated on the opposite side. Two double-sided models can be made per tongue. EXPERIENCE: The model can be refrigerated or frozen and thawed before use. A fourth-degree laceration can be cut immediately before use. Materials were obtained at a local supermarket for $5-7 per half-tongue, double-sided model. Residents responded positively to the model and stated that animal tissue provided realistic haptic simulation. CONCLUSION: The modified beef tongue model utilizing tripe and chicken leg muscles as anal mucosa and anal sphincter muscle analogs, respectively, provided excellent perceived haptic fidelity. Moreover, it is an innovative, inexpensive, and well-received teaching tool to augment resident education.

Bowel preparation before vaginal prolapse surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgeons' intraoperative surgeon acceptability or assessment of the operative field regarding bowel contents and patients' satisfaction with or without a mechanical bowel preparation before reconstructive vaginal prolapse surgery. METHODS: In this single-blind, randomized trial, women scheduled to undergo vaginal prolapse surgery with a planned apical suspension and posterior colporrhaphy were allocated using block randomization to an intervention or control group. Surgeons were blinded to patient allocation. One day before surgery, mechanical bowel preparation instructions consisted of a clear liquid diet and two self-administered saline enemas; the participants in the control group sustained a regular diet and nothing by mouth after midnight. The primary outcome was surgeons' intraoperative assessment of the surgical field regarding bowel content as measured on a 4-point Likert scale (1, excellent; 4, poor). Secondary outcomes included participant satisfaction and bowel symptoms. The primary outcome was determined by intention-to-treat analysis and other analyses were per protocol. RESULTS: Of the 150 women randomized (75 women to intervention and control group), 145 completed the study. No differences existed in the demographic, clinical, and intraoperative characteristics between groups (P>.05). Surgeons' intraoperative assessment rating was 85% "excellent or good" with bowel preparation compared with 90% for participants in the control group (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-1.61; P=.30). The bowel preparation group was less likely to report "complete" satisfaction compared with the participants in the control group (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.35; P<.001). Abdominal fullness and cramping, fatigue, anal irritation, and hunger pains were greater in the bowel preparation group (all P<.01). CONCLUSION: Before reconstructive vaginal surgery, mechanical bowel preparation conferred no benefit regarding surgeons' intraoperative assessment of the operative field, reflected decreased patient satisfaction, and had increased abdominal symptoms. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01431040. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.