Surgical Management of Urinary Tract Endometriosis: A 1-year Longitudinal Multicenter Pilot Study at 31 French Hospitals (by the FRIENDS Group).

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical management and risks of postoperative complications of patients with urinary tract endometriosis in France in 2017. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort pilot study. SETTING: Departments of gynecology at 31 expert endometriosis centers. PATIENTS: All women managed surgically for urinary tract endometriosis from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017. We distinguished patients with isolated bladder endometriosis or isolated ureteral endometriosis (IUE) from those with endometriosis in both locations (mixed locations [ML]). INTERVENTIONS: Surgeons belonging to the French Colorectal Infiltrating Endometriosis Study (FRIENDS) group enrolled patients who filled a 24-item questionnaire on the day of the inclusion and 3 months later. Data were collected on operative routes, surgical management, and postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification in a single anonymized database. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 232 patients from 31 centers were included. Isolated bladder endometriosis was found in 82 patients (35.3%), IUE in 126 patients (54.4%), and ML in 24 patients (10.3%). Surgery was performed by laparoscopy, laparotomy, or robot-assisted laparoscopy in 74.1%, 11.2%, and 14.7% of the cases, respectively. Among the 150 ureteral lesions (IUE and ML), 114 were managed with ureterolysis (76%), 28 with ureteral resection (18.7%), 4 with nephrectomy (2.7%), and 23 with cystectomy (15.3%). Concerning bladder endometriosis, a partial cystectomy was performed in 94.3% of the cases. We reported 61 postoperative complications (26.3%): 44 low-grade complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (18%), 16 grade III complications (7%), and 1 grade IV complication (peritonitis). CONCLUSION: The surgical management of ureteral and bladder endometriosis is usually feasible and safe through laparoscopic surgery. Ureteral resection, when necessary, is more strongly associated with laparotomy and with more complications than other procedures. Prospective controlled studies are still mandatory to assess the best surgical management for patients.

Fertility Outcomes After Ablation Using Plasma Energy Versus Cystectomy in Infertile Women With Ovarian Endometrioma: A Multicentric Comparative Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the probability of postoperative pregnancy in infertile women with ovarian endometrioma larger than 3 cm in diameter, managed by either ablation using plasma energy or cystectomy. DESIGN: A multicentric case-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Six surgical departments, affiliated with 4 university hospitals and 2 private facilities. PATIENTS: One hundred four infertile patients with ovarian endometrioma larger than 3 cm. INTERVENTIONS: Endometrioma ablation using plasma energy was performed in 64 patients (61.5%) and cystectomy in 40 patients (38.5%). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were enrolled in the CIRENDO prospective cohort database (NCT02294825) from June 2009 to June 2014 and managed in 6 different facilities. The minimum length of follow-up was 1 year. Postoperative probabilities of pregnancy in patietns and control subjects were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and compared using the log-rank test. The Cox model was used to assess independent predictive factors for pregnancy. Patients managed by plasma energy were significantly older than patients managed by cystectomy, had significantly higher overall revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) score, and had higher rate of Douglas pouch obliteration, deep endometriosis, and colorectal localizations. After a mean follow-up of 35.3 ± 17.5 months (range, 12-60), fertility outcomes were comparable between the groups. The probability of pregnancy at 24 and 36 months after surgery in plasma energy and cystectomy groups was, respectively, 61.3% (95% CI, 48.2%-74.4%) versus 69.3% (95% CI, 54.5%-83%) and 84.4% (95% CI, 72%-93.4%) versus 78.3% (95% CI, 63.8%-90%). The Cox's model revealed that the type of surgical procedure on ovarian endometrioma had no statistically significant impact on the probability of pregnancy, after adjustment for women's age, bilateral cysts larger than 3 cm, colorectal endometriosis, and rAFS stage of endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pregnancy rates were comparable after management of ovarian endometrioma by either ablation using plasma energy or cystectomy despite an overall higher rate of unfavorable fertility predictive factors in women managed by ablation.

Réunion Island prepared for possible Zika virus emergence, 2016.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has recently spread widely and turned into a major international public health threat. Réunion appears to offer conditions particularly favourable to its emergence and therefore prepared to face possible introduction of the virus. We designed a scaled surveillance and response system with specific objectives, methods and measures for various epidemiological phases including a potential epidemic. Several tools were developed in order to (i) detect individual cases (including a large information campaign on the disease and suspicion criteria), (ii) monitor an outbreak through several complementary systems allowing to monitor trends in disease occurrence and geographic spread and (iii) detect severe forms of the disease in collaboration with hospital clinicians. We put the emphasis on detecting the first cases in order to contain the spread of the virus as much as possible and try to avoid progress towards an epidemic. Our two main strengths are a powerful vector control team, and a close collaboration between clinicians, virologists, epidemiologists, entomologists and public health authorities. Our planned surveillance system could be relevant to Europe and island settings threatened by Zika virus all over the world.

Cystocele repair with single-incision, trocarless mesh system.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The use of mesh at the time of anterior vaginal wall repair reduced the risk of recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse. The aim of our video is to demonstrate our dissection technique focusing on the main anatomical landmarks in the pelvis and present an overall safer system to correct pelvic floor prolapse. METHODS: The video demonstrates correction of cystocele with the EndoFast Reliant™ system (IBI Israel Biomedical Innovations, Caesarea Industrial Park South, Israel). The surgical technique is described. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were treated with the system. Mean follow-up was 10 (range, 6-30) months. At latest follow-up, favorable anatomical results were obtained for 26 of 29 patients (89.6 %); three patients presented stage 1 nonsymptomatic prolapse. Three cases (13 %) of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and two cases of de novo urgency (6.9 %) were diagnosed and treated. Postoperative voiding difficulties, dyspareunia, or pain were not observed. CONCLUSION: The operation with the trocarless system was found to be safe, easy to learn and implement, and have the potential for reducing intra- and postoperative complications, with very satisfactory functional and anatomical results.

[Prevalence of menorrhagia among women in Reunion Island]. / Prévalence des ménorragies chez les femmes à la Réunion.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of menorrhagia in women in Reunion Island using the Higham score, to evaluate self-reporting as an alternative diagnostic method, and to study women's level of knowledge about menorrhagia and its impact on their quality of life. METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional observational study involving 185 adult women with menstrual periods living in Reunion Island. Women volunteered to answer an online self-questionnaire proposed by healthcare professionals from January to May 2023 in Reunion Island. They completed a general information questionnaire, the Higham score, a menorrhagia knowledge questionnaire and a menstrual quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of menorrhagia in the sample was 48.1% using the Higham score and 46.5% using self-report. Women's level of knowledge about menorrhagia is still insufficient, given the significant impact on quality of life during menstruation among those suffering from this symptom. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of menorrhagia in our sample of women on Reunion Island is high. Measures need to be taken to break the taboos surrounding menstruation, promote menstrual education and foster a better understanding by women of menstrual pathologies, particularly menorrhagia. Early detection of this symptom would enable faster treatment and avoid complications and adverse effects on quality of life.

Single port laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy in a young patient presenting with grade III uterine prolapse and rectocele.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine preservation in patients with uterine prolapse is a common practice in the last decade and the reconstructive pelvic operation can be done either by vaginal, abdominal or laparoscopic approach. In young patients, uterine preservation is a legitimate option and one of the proposed operations is sacro-hystero-pexy. Single Port Laparoscopy (SPL) is a relatively new technique. This is a case of a young patient presented with grade III uterine prolapse and rectocele. METHODS: The video presents the surgical technique of sacro-hystero-pexy as was described in 2001 by von Theobald, adapted specifically for the SPL technique. CONCLUSIONS: The Single Port laparoscopy is an advanced laparoscopic technique. This video demonstrate that scaro-hystero-pexy can be done safely and efficacy with Single Port Laparoscopy without prolonging the operation time significantly.

Trocarless system for mesh attachment in pelvic organ prolapse repair--1-year evaluation.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: EndoFast Reliant system is a novel technology for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair that attaches mesh directly with metal fasteners. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter study in 20 women who underwent vaginal POP repair to evaluate safety and efficacy. The patients were followed for 12 months, using POP-Q measures, questionnaires on symptoms (PFDI), and sexual function (FSFI). RESULTS: No intraoperative complications occurred. Prolapse has been anatomically resolved (< stage 2) in 85% at 1-year follow-up (17/20 patients). Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) scores showed significant improvement for 1 year in symptoms related to prolapse (4.1-0.7, p < 0.001) and bladder (1.4-0.7, p = 0.06) but not to rectum. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores did not change significantly. One case of mesh exposure was found (5%) and treated conservatively. No migration of fasteners was observed on X-ray. CONCLUSIONS: The EndoFast Reliant system was found safe and efficacious. Future studies are needed to evaluate its advantages over techniques using trocars.

Satisfaction of patients in pain management delivering in Reunion Island with or without neuraxial analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Neuraxial analgesia (NA) rate during labour in Reunion Island is below the average rate in continental France. Our study objective was to know if the patients that deliver with or without NA were satisfied. We also wanted to identify the reasons of this lower rate. METHOD: This was a multicentre prospective observational study led in the seven Reunion Island maternity hospitals including all patients who delivered after 24 weeks of gestation onwards during two weeks in 2019 and excluding scheduled caesarean sections. Included patients received a satisfaction questionnaire the day after delivery and returned it before leaving. RESULTS: Of the 497 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 303 questionnaires were analysable. 216 patients had NA (71.3 %) and 87 patients (28.7 %) delivered without. A total of 88.0 % of patients with NA were satisfied with pain management compared to 83.9 % without. There was no significant difference between the groups (p=0.68). Among patients who delivered without NA, it was their choice in 55.2 % of cases. They wanted the most natural birth possible in 87.5 % of cases. Birth without NA in opposition to their wish was related to too rapid dilation in 90.0 % of lowerecases. DISCUSSION: No significant difference in satisfaction between women who delivered with or without NA was found. The lower regional NA rate seems to be linked to a choice to give birth as naturally as possible and to too fast dilation at the time of requesting NA.

Extremely and Very Preterm Deliveries in a Maternity Unit of Inappropriate Level: Analysis of Socio-Residential Factors.

PURPOSE: To analyze the socio-residential factors associated with extremely and very preterm deliveries occurring in non-level 3 maternity units in France. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a population-based observational retrospective study using national hospital data from 2012 to 2014. A generalized estimating equations regression model was used to study the characteristics of women who delivered very preterm and the socio-residential risk factors for not delivering in a level 3 maternity unit at 24-31+6d weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Among deliveries resulting in live births and without contraindication to in-utero transfer, we identified 9198 extremely or very preterm deliveries; 2122 (23.1%) of these were managed in a non-level 3 unit. Our study showed that young maternal age (women under 20 years at delivery) was associated with the risk of giving birth prematurely in a non-level 3 maternity, and particularly in a level 1 maternity unit (adjusted relative risk, 1.53; 95% CI 1.09-2.16). Living more than 30 minutes away from the closest level 3 unit increased the risk of delivering very preterm in a level 1 or 2 unit. Living in an urban area or urban periphery increased the risk of giving birth in a level 2 maternity unit (adjusted relative risk, 1.53; 95% CI 1.28-1.83 and 1.42; 95% CI 1.17-1.71, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study shows that young pregnant women living more than 30 minutes from a level 3 hospital have an increased risk of delivering in a maternity unit that is not equipped to deal with premature births. The risk also increases with an urban place of residence when the delivery occurs in a level 2 unit. A clearer understanding of the population at risk of delivering prematurely in a non-level 3 maternity could lead to improvements in structuring healthcare to encourage earlier management and better support.

Mesh removal following transvaginal mesh placement: a case series of 104 operations.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective of the study was to reveal the way we treat vaginal mesh complications in a trained referral center. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent surgical removal of transvaginal mesh for mesh-related complications during a 5-year period. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients underwent 104 operations including 61 complete mesh removal, 14 partial excision, 15 section of sub-urethral sling, and five laparoscopies. Main indications were erosion, infection, granuloma, incomplete voiding, and pain. Fifty-eight removals occurred more than 2 years after the primary mesh placement. Mean operation time was 21 min, and there were two intraoperative and ten minor postoperative complications. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) recurred in 38% and cystocele in 19% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In a trained center, mesh removal was found to be a quick and safe procedure. Mesh-related complications may frequently occur more than 2 years after the primary operation. Recurrence was mostly associated with SUI and less with genital prolapse.

Cystocele repair by transobturator four arms mesh: monocentric experience of first 123 patients.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aims of the study were to evaluate the per- and post-operative complications and outcomes after cystocele repair with transobturator mesh. METHODS: A retrospective continuous series study was conducted over a period of 3 years. Clinical evaluation was up to 1 year with additional telephonic interview performed after 34 months on average. When stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was associated with the cystocele, it was treated with the same mesh. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients were treated for cystocele. Per-operative complications occurred in six patients. After 1 year, erosion rate was 6.5%, and only three cystoceles recurred. After treatment of SUI with the same mesh, 87.7% restored continence. Overall patient's satisfaction rate was 93.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of cystocele using transobturator four arms mesh appears to reduce the risk of recurrence at 1 year, along with high rate of patient's satisfaction. The transobturator path of the prosthesis arms seems devoid of serious per- and post-operative risks and allows restoring continence when SUI is present.

Epidemiology of Endometriosis in France: A Large, Nation-Wide Study Based on Hospital Discharge Data.

We aimed to assess the prevalence of hospitalization for endometriosis in the general population in France and in each French region and to describe temporal trends, rehospitalization rates, and prevalence of the different types of endometriosis. The analyses were carried out on French hospital discharge data and covered the period 2008-2012 and a population of 14,239,197 women of childbearing age. In this population, the prevalence of hospitalization for endometriosis was 0.9%, ranging from 0.4% to 1.6% between regions. Endometriosis affected 1.5% of hospitalized women of childbearing age, ranging from 1.0% to 2.4% between regions. The number of patients hospitalized for endometriosis significantly increased over the study period (p < 0.01). Of these, 4.2% were rehospitalized at least once at one year: ranging from 2.7% to 6.3% between regions. The cumulative rehospitalization rate at 3 years was 6.9%. The types of endometriosis according to the procedures performed were as follows: ovarian (40-50%), peritoneal (20-30%), intestinal (10-20%), and ureteral or bladder (<10%), with significant differences between regions. This is the first detailed epidemiological study of endometriosis in France. Further studies are needed to assess the reasons for the increasing prevalence of endometriosis and for the significant differences in regional prevalence of this disease.

[Oncofertility and breast cancer: Where have we come from, where are we going?]. / Oncofertilité du cancer du sein : d'où vient-on, où allons-nous ?

BACKGROUND: Focusing on the current context of national and international recommendations, techniques development to evaluate and preserve fertility and patients' claims, this study aims to make a survey about the management of patients' breast cancer regarding oncofertility. METHODS: Retrospective and analytic study of medical practices at Bergonié Institute of health professionals (medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, nurses) dedicated to the care of non-disseminated breast cancer patients younger than 37, needing medical treatment. RESULTS: The number of participants was 230. The most interested practitioners in fertility theme are those of multidisciplinary consultation and surgeons (P<0.001), with an increasing interest during last years (P<0.05). The information about hypofertilizing risks of treatments are delivered most of the time by oncologists (57.7%). The motherhood project is expressed by 11 patients (4.9%) before treatment, only 4 of them receive information on the risks and 49 patients (21.7%) during follow-up. Only 24 patients (48% of the 49) are encouraged for motherhood. CONCLUSION: To satisfy patients' requests, several improvements have to be made regarding the patients' information, the health professionals' awareness and care coordination.

Persistent pelvic pain following transvaginal mesh surgery: a cause for mesh removal.

OBJECTIVE: Persistent pelvic pain after vaginal mesh surgery is an uncommon but serious complication that greatly affects women's quality of life. Our aim was to evaluate various procedures for mesh removal performed at a tertiary referral center in cases of persistent pelvic pain, and to evaluate the ensuing complications and outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted at the University Hospital of Caen, France, including all patients treated for removal or section of vaginal mesh due to pelvic pain as a primary cause, between January 2004 and September 2009. RESULTS: Ten patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were diagnosed between 10 months and 3 years after their primary operation. Eight cases followed suburethral sling procedures and two followed mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapse. Patients presented with obturator neuralgia (6), pudendal neuralgia (2), dyspareunia (1), and non-specific pain (1). The surgical treatment to release the mesh included: three cases of extra-peritoneal laparoscopy, four cases of complete vaginal mesh removal, one case of partial mesh removal and two cases of section of the suburethral sling. In all patients with obturator neuralgia, symptoms were resolved or improved, whereas in both cases of pudendal neuralgia the symptoms continued. There were no intra-operative complications. Post-operative Retzius hematoma was observed in one patient after laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh removal in a tertiary center is a safe procedure, necessary in some cases of persistent pelvic pain. Obturator neuralgia seems to be easier to treat than pudendal neuralgia. Early diagnosis is the key to success in prevention of chronic disease.

Place of mesh in vaginal surgery, including its removal and revision.

In this review, I aim to establish the place of vaginal pelvic organ prolapse surgery with mesh, drawing on personal experience. Physiopathologic justifications for the use of synthetic implants are described, and reasonable indications are highlighted. Major recommendations for the insertion are made. Possible complications, such as erosion, retraction, pain, failure and dysfunction are explained, and treatments, including secondary surgery are reviewed. The need for specific training is emphasised, including indications, standard techniques of insertion, follow up, and mesh-related symptoms of complications, their management, including indications, and techniques of revision or excision. Mesh surgery in pelvic organ prolapse aims to replace defective ligaments and fascias by a synthetic implant that provokes a foreign body reaction and fibrosis around it, recreating new connective support. Women indicated for this type of surgery include those at high risk of recurrence after autologous surgery resulting from defective connective tissue. Insertion techniques and the management of complications need specific training before using mesh in pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Revision and removal should be carried out in referral centres.

Expression of estrogen receptors in the pelvic floor of pre- and post-menopausal women presenting pelvic organ prolapse.

The precise role of estrogen in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is still unclear, while the results concerning the effect of selective estrogen receptor modulators on pelvic organ prolapse are contradictory. Our aim was to test whether alteration in the expression of estrogen receptors in the pelvic floor of pre- and post-menopausal women is related to genital prolapse status. The mRNA levels of ERα and ERß in 60 biopsy specimens were measured. Significantly higher expression of ERα and higher ERα/ERß ratio were demonstrated in post-menopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women. Higher expression of ERα and higher ERα/ERß ratio were detected in all studied groups with POP, thus it did not reach significance in the post-menopausal group. Pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women presenting pelvic organ prolapse had no difference in the ERα expression. Our preliminary study may indicate that pelvic organ prolapse is associated with higher expression of ERα/ERß in the pelvic floor of both pre- and post-menopausal women; thus not reaching statistical significance in the post-menopausal women was probably due to the group's size. We believe that the inevitable changes in the estrogen receptor expression over women's different lifetimes may affect the risk of genital prolapse progression, and might contribute to the further search for appropriate selective estrogen receptor modulators as a treatment for women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVES: : Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is common with increasing high-quality evidence to guide surgical practice. Yet many important basic questions remain, including the optimal timing for POP surgery, the optimal preoperative evaluation of urinary tract function, and the postoperative outcome assessment. This manuscript reviews traditional surgical approaches for POP. METHODS: : Formal and hand-searching of prolapse literature was conducted by the committee on Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery for the most recent International Consultation on Incontinence. The committee (authors) was composed of prolapse specialists from around the world. Consensus recommendations were made following literature abstraction. RESULTS: : Surgical correction of POP can be divided into 2 main categories as follows: reconstructive procedures to correct anterior and posterior wall defects and resuspend the vaginal apex or obliterative procedures to close off the vagina. Reconstructive surgery may use the vaginal route or the abdominal route. CONCLUSIONS: : In addition to recommendations within the report, the committee reaffirms that in planning surgery, the individual patient's risk for surgery, risk of recurrence, previous treatments, and surgical goals are all considered in deciding on obliterative versus reconstructive procedures, and in deciding whether the vaginal or the abdominal approach will be used for reconstructive repairs.