New Jersey maternal mortality dashboard: an interactive social-determinants-of-health tool.

OBJECTIVES: The United States maternal mortality (MM) rate is the highest amid developed/industrialized nations, and New Jersey's rate is among the highest. Healthcare professionals, public health officials, and policy makers are working to understand drivers of MM. An interactive data visualization tool for MM and health-related information (New Jersey Maternal Mortality Dashboard [NJMMD]) was recently developed. METHODS: NJMMD is an open-source application that uses data from publicly available state/federal government sources to provide a cross-sectional, high-level depiction of potential relationships between MM and demographic, social, and public health factors. RESULTS: MM rates or ratios (maternal deaths/1,000 women aged 15-49 years or 100,000 live births, respectively) are available by year (2005-2017), age (5-year [15-49] periods), and race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, Black, or Asian; Hispanic; or other), and by contextual social determinants of health (percent insured; percent covered by Medicaid; difference in nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex Cesarian birth rate from New Jersey goal; number of obstetrician/gynecologists or midwives per capita; and poverty rate). Bar graphs also can be produced with these variables. CONCLUSIONS: NJMMD is the first publicly available, interactive, state-focused MM tool that takes into account the intersection of social and demographic determinants of health, which play important roles in health outcomes. Trends and patterns in variables associated with MM and health can be identified for New Jersey and each of its 11 counties, and inform areas of focus for further analysis. Outputs may enable researchers, policy makers, and others to develop appropriate interventions and be better positioned to set benchmarks, allocate resources, and evaluate outcomes.

Closing the knowledge gap in pelvic neuroanatomy: assessment of a cadaveric training program.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to characterize participants in a laparoscopic cadaveric neuroanatomy course and assess knowledge of pelvic neuroanatomy before and after this course. METHODS: This is a survey-based cohort study with a setting in a university educational facility. The participants are surgeons in a multiday laparoscopic cadaveric pelvic neuroanatomy course. Participants completed a precourse survey, including demographics and comfort with laparoscopic surgery. They then completed an identical precourse and postcourse anatomic knowledge test. Main outcomes are scores on the anatomic knowledge test precourse and postcourse. RESULTS: 44 respondents were included: 25 completed fellowship, 15 completed residency, 2 were residents, and 2 were fellows. Participants were on average 11.09 years post training, with an average of 8.67 years from training if they completed fellowship and 18.62 years if they completed residency only. 22 of 42 respondents strongly agreed or agreed they are comfortable performing complex laparoscopic hysterectomies. The average precourse score was 32.18/50 points and the mean difference score (MDS, defined as mean of Postcourse scores minus Precourse scores) was 9.80, showing significant improvement (p <  0.001). Precourse and MDS scores were not significantly different when comparing country of practice, level of training, or time since training. CONCLUSION: Baseline knowledge of pelvic neuroanatomy was similar among groups when comparing fellowship status, place of training, or time since training. There was significant improvement in knowledge after training in this dissection method. This course garnered interest from surgeons with broad training backgrounds.

Predictors for Discontinuation of Intrauterine Devices That Underwent Ultrasound-Guided Placement in a Long-term Follow-up Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate long-term outcomes of ultrasound-guided intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. The rate of and reasons for IUD discontinuation were reviewed, including the prevalence of uterine fibroids. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS)-guided IUD insertion was reviewed. Information collected included age, body mass index, insertion date, indication for IUD use, indication for using TAUS guidance, and presence of uterine fibroids. The date of and reason for discontinuation were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen patients with successful TAUS-guided IUD placement were identified. Of these, 51 patients (43.97%) no longer had an IUD in place. An overall actual-to-expected use ratio was calculated to be 63.49%. The most common reason for IUD discontinuation was spontaneous expulsion (11.21%). The prevalence of fibroid uteri was 27.6% in our cohort. The actual-to-expected use ratio of those with a fibroid uterus was calculated to be 43.28%, which was significantly lower than that for a nonfibroid uterus (73.80%; P = .002). There were 27 of 104 patients with IUD use of less than 1 year, and fibroids were present 44.4% of the time. Comparatively, of the 77 patients that had IUD continuation of greater than 1 year, only 24.7% had fibroids (P = .022). The yearly continuation rates over 5 years were 74.04%, 55.84%, 41.67%, 35.14%, and 32.0% respectively. Of the 18 patients who received TAUS-guided insertion for a previous IUD expulsion, 33.3% had another spontaneous expulsion. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine fibroids and a previous expulsion appear to be the most likely predictors of IUD discontinuation, particularly within 1 year after insertion.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Citation Classics in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.

OBJECTIVES: A bibliometric analysis of articles in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM) identified the journals' most impactful articles. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis of citation classics that were published in the JUM from its inception in 1982 to 2019 was performed. All citation classics, defined as articles cited 100 or more times, were evaluated for the number of citations, citations per year, publication year, subspecialty, design, and country of origin. Characteristics were compared before and after 1998 by the Mann-Whitney test for unpaired data and 2-sample z tests of sample proportions. The Kruskal-Wallis test for nonparametric continuous data was used to compare the median number of citations per year by decade of publication. RESULTS: A total of 7868 articles were published in the JUM between 1982 and 2019; 54 (0.7%) were citation classics. The median citation classics year of publication was 1998 (interquartile range [IQR], 1991-2003). Most citation classics originated from the United States (36 of 54 [66.7%]), were observational (47 of 54 [87%]), and were related to obstetric and gynecologic topics (16 of 54 [29.6%]). Citation classics after 1998 received significantly more citations per year (9.3 versus 4.7; P < .001), with no other differences noted. The median number of citations per year increased for each decade, with medians of 4 citations (IQR, 3.6-4.7) in 1982 to 1991 and 11.2 citations (IQR, 9-13.9) in 2002 to 2012 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This list provides insight into the most influential articles that were published in the JUM. Most citation classics were observational, were from the United States, and covered obstetric and gynecologic topics. Citation classics received more citations per year after 1998.

Evaluating unplanned readmission and prolonged length of stay following minimally invasive surgery for endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for 30-day unplanned readmission and increased length of stay (LOS) following minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for endometrial cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective, case-control study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess perioperative variables associated with readmission and increased LOS after MIS for endometrial cancer. RESULTS: The study population included 10,840 patients who met the criteria of having undergone MIS with a resultant endometrial malignancy confirmed on postoperative pathology. Common reasons for readmission included organ/space surgical site infection (65 cases), sepsis/septic shock (19 cases), and venous thromboembolism (20 cases). Notable risk factors for readmission included (Odds Ratio, Confidence Interval, p-value): dialysis dependence (6.77, 2.51-17.80, <0.01), increased length of stay (3.00, 2.10-4.10, <0.01), and preoperative weight loss (2.80, 1.06-7.17, 0.03); notable risk factors for increased LOS: ascites (8.51, 2.00-36.33, <0.01), operation duration >5 h (6.93, 5.29-9.25, <0.01), and preoperative blood transfusion (5.37, 2.05-14.04, <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes is necessary to inform and improve standards of care in MIS for endometrial cancer. Using nationally reported data from the ACS NSQIP, this study identifies independent risk factors for unplanned readmission and prolonged LOS, and in doing so, highlights potential avenues for quality improvement.

Dyspareunia Related to GSM: Association of Total Vaginal Thickness via Transabdominal Ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: It has previously been suggested in the literature that ultrasound measurement of total vaginal wall thickness (TVT) differs significantly between pre- and postmenopausal women, indicating that it may be a useful and noninvasive objective assessment to correlate the degree of vaginal atrophy to patient-reported symptoms. AIM: The purpose of this cross-sectional pilot study was to determine whether TVT in postmenopausal women, as measured with transabdominal ultrasound, is associated with patient-reported dyspareunia and symptoms related to genitourinary symptomatology. METHODS: Postmenopausal women presenting for pelvic ultrasound had TVT and total mucosal thickness (TMT) measured via transabdominal ultrasound. A questionnaire also was administered assessing menopausal status, relevant medical history, and self-report of dyspareunia and other symptoms related to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). This questionnaire was derived from the Vulvovaginal Symptom Questionnaire, which has been validated in the literature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measures included the average TVT and TMT for postmenopausal women reporting any symptom of GSM and average TVT and TMT of women reporting no symptoms of GSM. RESULTS: Data from 44 postmenopausal women showed no significant association between transabdominal ultrasound-measured TVT or TMT and patient report of dyspareunia or other genitourinary symptoms. Data were stratified by individual GSM symptoms, sexual symptoms as an aggregate, and individual sexual symptoms. Neither of these subgroups showed a statistically significant difference in TVT or TMT between symptomatic and asymptomatic women. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Although no statistically significant data were derived from this study, we propose that future studies investigating the longitudinal relationship between TVT and GSM symptomatology may show an association between total vaginal thickness measurement change over time as determined by ultrasound with the presence of patient-reported dyspareunia and other GSM symptoms. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its small sample size as well as the patient population, which was restricted to postmenopausal women with a clinical indication for ultrasound. A major strength of this investigation is that it is the first study to look at the relationship between sexual pain and other GSM symptoms and TVT using transabdominal ultrasound, which is a readily available, non-invasive tool in most clinical settings. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this small pilot study, transabdominal pelvic ultrasound cannot be used at this time to objectively quantify the presence of sexual pain or other GSM symptoms; however, future studies should continue to investigate the longitudinal relationship between these 2 variables. Balica AC, Cooper AM, McKevitt MK, et al. Dyspareunia Related to GSM: Association of Total Vaginal Thickness via Transabdominal Ultrasound. J Sex Med 2019; 16:2038-2042.

Intraoperative transradial angiography augments safe hysterectomy for uterine fibroids in the setting of ambiguous arterial anatomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Transfemoral access is the traditional gold standard for uterine artery angiography; however, transradial access is gaining in popularity because of its decreased complication profile and patient preference. We present a case of a patient who underwent successful total abdominal hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine fibroids with ambiguous pelvic vasculature that would have been otherwise aborted if it were not for intraoperative transradial access angiography. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old Caucasian woman presented to her gynecologist for an elective total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. During preoperative imaging, a 15-cm mass consistent with a uterine fibroid was identified, and the patient's gynecologist decided to treat her with surgical resection, given the fibroid's size. The procedure was halted upon discovery of a complicated vascular plexus at the fundus of the uterus, and an intraoperative vascular consult was requested. The vascular operator used a transradial access to perform pelvic angiography in real time to identify the complicated pelvic vasculature, which allowed the gynecologist to surgically resect the uterine fibroid. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative imaging is a useful technique for the identification of complicated anatomical structures during surgical procedures. The successful outcome of this case demonstrates an additional unique benefit of transradial access and highlights an opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration for management of complicated surgical interventions.

Sonographically Guided Office Endometrial Sampling: Indications and Results.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify clinical indications in which endometrial sampling was performed under transabdominal ultrasound (US) guidance and to evaluate the outcomes of this approach in an academic practice. METHODS: We retrieved data from the electronic medical record for all patients referred to the gynecologic US unit for transabdominal US-guided endometrial sampling from January 2011 to June 2017. Data retrieved included age, parity, previous cesarean delivery or pelvic surgery, indication for endometrial biopsy, US abnormalities, clinical reasoning for US-guided sampling, and pathologic reports. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were referred for US-guided sampling between January 2011 and June 2017. We identified the following reasons for US-guided biopsy referral: failed blind biopsy attempt, fibroids, uterine position or anomaly, need for targeted sampling, cervical stenosis, and other indications. Ninety-five of the 113 patients (84%) underwent successful US-guided endometrial sampling. Forty of the 113 patients were referred after a failed blind biopsy, with 83% subsequently undergoing successful US-guided endometrial sampling. Of the 30 patients referred for fibroids, 29 (97%) underwent successful US-guided sampling. High success rates were also noted for transabdominal US guidance referrals for the uterine position or anomaly (86%) and the need for targeted sampling (83%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that endometrial sampling performed under US guidance could be considered for patients with a failed blind approach, fibroids, uterine anomalies, and interest in targeted sampling. In such cases, US-guided sampling could be considered before surgical options.

An Academic Tertiary Referral Center's Experience with a Vascular Surgery-Based Uterine Artery Embolization Program.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing endovascular experience within the vascular surgery community, some catheter-based interventions-such as uterine artery embolization (UAE)-remain outside the clinical scope of most vascular surgeons, owing in part to established referral patterns and limited awareness among referring colleagues. We present our experience with a vascular surgery-based, multidisciplinary UAE program at an academic tertiary referral center. METHODS: In a collaborative effort between vascular surgeons and gynecologists, a pelvic vascular disease program has been established to provide palliative, prophylactic, and therapeutic embolizations including, but not limited to, UAE. For UAE, inclusion criteria are women over the age of 18 years with symptomatic uterine fibroids demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging and a negative endometrial biopsy. Exclusion criteria are desire for future pregnancy and previous embolization(s). Technique and perioperative protocol is presented. Data including symptom resolution, reintervention rates, and complications were prospectively gathered and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Over an 18-month period, 30 patients with symptomatic fibroids were referred for potential UAE. Five patients were excluded because of uncertainty about future pregnancy wishes (4) and prior embolization (1). Twenty-four bilateral and 2 unilateral UAEs were performed (mean age, 46.3 years [range 28-53 years]). Presenting symptoms were pelvic and abdominal pain (25), cramps (25), menorrhagia (25), dysmenorrhea (25), urinary frequency (12), and dyspareunia (5). Technical success, defined as successful microcatheterization of uterine arteries and delivery of a particulate liquid embolic agent (embospheres, 500-700 microns), was 100%. There were no perioperative or delayed complications. Twenty-one patients (87.5%) reported complete symptomatic relief without further intervention at the time of last follow-up. Three patients (12.5%) reported pain relief but had persistent vaginal bleeding requiring hysterectomy 12 months after UAE. All patients underwent a 23-hr observation postoperatively for pain control. Mean follow-up was 7.4 months (1-23 months) and included pelvic ultrasound assessment of fibroid size at 1, 3, and 6 months after UAE and annually thereafter. One patient was lost to follow-up. Fibroid shrinkage was noted in all patients. Given the willingness and capability to work-up, admit, treat, and follow-up patients, vascular surgery was deemed the preferred service for UAE by the referring gynecologists. CONCLUSION: Within the framework of a collaborative, multidisciplinary program, vascular surgery can play a prominent role in providing safe and effective UAE.

Sonographically guided insertion of intrauterine device: Indications and results.

From 2011 to 2015, a total of 67 patients were referred for IUD insertion guided with transabdominal sonography (TAS). Fifty-six of the 67 patients had successful IUD insertion under TAS guidance. The clinical indications for referral included fibroids, uterine position, previous history of IUD expulsion, and limited tolerance of pelvic examination. Reasons for failed TAS-guided IUD insertion included patient discomfort, cervical stenosis, and inability to remove and replace an existing device. Ultrasound guidance could help broaden the patient population that may benefit from the therapeutic value of an IUD.

Transabdominal sonography to measure the total vaginal and mucosal thicknesses.

Transabdominal and transvaginal sonography are used to measure bladder wall and detrusor thickness. Only transvaginal sonography has been used to measure the vaginal wall thickness. We describe the use of transabdominal sonography to measure the total vaginal wall thickness and total vaginal mucosal thickness at the bladder trigone. The mean bladder wall thickness and SD from published data were within the 95% confidence interval of our data. Total vaginal and mucosal thicknesses are reliable measurements, which require specific evaluation in a postmenopausal population. They could be used to quantify vaginal atrophy and could correlate to symptoms of atrophy and response to treatment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:461-464, 2017.

Assessing the thickness of the vaginal wall and vaginal mucosa in pre-menopausal versus post-menopausal women by transabdominal ultrasound: A feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: As life expectancy increases, the number of women reporting adverse genito-urinary symptoms (genitourinary syndrome of menopause; GSM) from menopause, including vaginal dryness and sexual pain, also will increase. Current objective measurements of vaginal atrophy such as maturation index require vaginal swabs and are invasive; at present, no minimally invasive measurements exist. The purpose of this study was to assess whether total vaginal wall thickness (TVT) and total vaginal mucosa thickness (TMT) as measured by transabdominal ultrasound could qualify as additional objective markers of vaginal wall thinning which could be related to menopausal status. DESIGN: Women presenting for pelvic ultrasound had a transabdominal ultrasound scan performed to measure TVT and TMT at the level of the bladder trigone. In addition, a transvaginal endometrial lining thickness was measured. RESULTS: The ultrasound measurement data from 76 participants showed that there was a significant difference in the mean value for TVT and endometrial lining between pre- and post-menopausal women. The same difference in mean was not observed for TMT. CONCLUSION: TVT may be a reliable measure of vaginal thinning, which worsens with estrogen decline. These preliminary data also suggest that TMT does not have the same correlation as the TVT measurement. A larger sample is needed to further assess the usefulness and sensitivity of these measures and whether there is clinical and/or research usefulness in obtaining vaginal wall measurements by transabdominal ultrasound.

A Discussion of High-Risk HPV in a 6-Year-Old Female Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse.

BACKGROUND: Human papilloma viruses (HPVs) cause a variety of clinical manifestations in children including skin warts, laryngeal papillomas, and condyloma acuminatum. Whereas the mode of transmission is well understood and management of HPV infection is clearly defined by guidelines in adults, less is known about the mode of transmission, natural history of disease, and appropriate management of high-risk anogenital HPV infections in children. CASE: The patient is a previously healthy 6-year-old female who presented with multiple vaginal lesions causing pain and discomfort and was diagnosed with HPV 18 positive CIN I. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Children infected with high-risk HPV subtypes remain a vulnerable patient population, and there is minimal literature on the natural history of disease and effects of overtreatment. Based on a literature review, conservative management, HPV vaccination, and consideration of the cervical cancer screening guidelines for adolescent females are an appropriate treatment course until more studies are reported on cervical cancer screening in survivors of child sexual abuse.

Contraception pathway: application for midlife women.

OBJECTIVE: To create a system where evidence based medicine can be applied to accommodate every woman's needs by designing a contraceptive pathway that can be utilized by any healthcare provider, regardless of the patient's age, and to offer appropriate counseling in order to maximize patient outcomes, especially for the midlife woman. METHODS: United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2016 (US MEC) was used as the framework for these recommendations for a contraceptive care pathway that can be incorporated into care for midlife women. DISCUSSION: By utilizing a total office approach that includes the scheduler, receptionist, medical assistant, nurse and health care provider as members of a team, the entire spectrum of the patient population in need of contraception from teenagers to midlife can be captured. Specifically for midlife women the need for an effective form of contraception may be overlooked as fecundity declines in this age group. This paper will highlight the use of this pathway for midlife women.