Perceived health status after mid-urethral sling revision in 287 women from the VIGI-MESH registry: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health status and recovery of women after mid-urethral sling (MUS) revision in response to complications. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using a questionnaire sent to women from a registry. SETTING: Twenty-two French surgical centres. POPULATION: A total of 287 women from the VIGI-MESH registry responded, having undergone MUS revision for complications. METHODS: Our sample of women were compared against a representative set of French women taken from the Eurostat database. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify clinical predictors for successful MUS revision. A qualitative analysis was carried out on free-text comments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health status, defined by the Minimum European Health Module, and recovery, assessed by Patient Global Impression of Improvement. RESULTS: The response rate was 76% (287/378), with 49% of the women (141/287, 95% CI 43%-55%) reporting good health status, which was 8 points lower than that expected from the comparator French set (57%, 95% CI 55%-58%). Overall, 53% (147/275, 95% CI 47%-59%) of the women reported feeling much better after MUS revision. Just over one-third (35%, 95/275, 95% CI 29%-40%) of respondents reported poor health with little or no improvement. Multivariate analysis showed that being operated on for pain at revision was associated with worse self-perceived health than being operated on for exposure (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.14-0.95); women with pre-existing comorbidity reported a poorer health status following MUS revision (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.13-0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that half of the women recovered good health status after MUS revision, whereas a proportion appeared to be seriously affected by an MUS complication despite the revision.

Screening women in young adulthood for disabling dysmenorrhoea: a nationwide cross-sectional study from the CONSTANCES cohort.

RESEARCH QUESTION: How do different warning indicators help to identify disabling dysmenorrhoea among women in young adulthood? DESIGN: A nationwide cross-sectional study of women aged 18-25 years from the CONSTANCES cohort was constructed. Disability was assessed with the Global Activity Limitation Indicator question 'For the past 6 months, have you been limited in routine activities?Yes, severely limited/Yes, limited/ No, not limited'. Dysmenorrhoea pain intensity and other chronic pelvic pain symptoms (dyspareunia and non-menstrual pain) were evaluated according to questions from a specific questionnaire. Probability of disability was estimated using a logistic prediction model according to dysmenorrhoea intensity, other indicators of pelvic pain symptoms and other obvious covariates. The results of the predictive model of disabling dysmenorrhoea were presented on a nomogram. RESULTS: Among 6377 women, the rate of disability was estimated at 7.5%. Increased intensity of dysmenorrhoea (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.13), increased frequency of dyspareunia (from OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.33-2.14 up to OR 3.41, 95% CI 2.16-5.38) non-menstrual chronic pelvic pain (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.40-2.19), body mass index over 25 kg/m2 (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.17-1.80) and non-use of the hormonal contraceptive pill (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.59) were significantly associated with disability. According to the nomogram, a predicted probability of 15% or more could be chosen as a threshold. This represents almost 4.6% of young women in this sample being classified at risk of disabling dysmenorrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: Dysmenorrhoea pain intensity and associated pelvic pain symptoms are warning indicators that can be measured to help screen young women who may suffer from disabling dysmenorrhoea.

Evaluation of Elastic Venous Compression Device dispensation in pregnant and post-partum women using the French National Health Insurance Claims Database: The ProFIL retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the real-world use of Elastic Venous Compression Devices (EVCDs) during pregnancy and post-partum using data from a representative subset of the French National Health Insurance Claims Database (the Echantillon Généraliste des Bénéficiaires, EGB). STUDY DESIGN: Women aged 15-49 who were pregnant between 1st July 2017 and 15th June 2018 were identified in the EGB using pregnancy-specific acts (certain prenatal examinations or deliveries). Subgroups were defined by age, presence of Venous Thrombo-Embolism (VTE) risk factors, history of VTE, delivery type and time period. EVCD dispensations (format, prescriber, and date) were identified among those for "standard orthotics" using their unique reimbursement tariffs. Dispensation rates were computed for all subgroups, overall and by format and were compared. RESULTS: 15,528 pregnant women were included: 7,252 [46.7 %] deliveries (5,796 vaginal [79.9 %], 482 planned cesarean sections (C-sections) [6.7 %] and 974 unplanned C-Sections [13.4 %]), 2,734 (17.6 %) terminations and 5,542 (35.7 %) unknown outcomes. Overall, 4,919 (31.7 %) women were dispensed at least one EVCD. Ante-partum dispensation occurred in 43.1 % (n = 3,122) of women whose pregnancy led to a delivery. Dispensation rates were 17.3 % (n = 1,005), 46.7 % (n = 225) and 44.1 % (n = 430) after vaginal delivery, planned C-sections or unplanned C-sections, respectively. Overall, dispensation rates significantly increased with age, the presence of VTE risk factors, and a history of VTE (p < 0.01). EVCD dispensation was most frequent (17.0 %) during the 5th month of pregnancy. Among pregnant women who were dispensed at least one EVCD during ante- or post-partum, 69.0 % had one or two units of compression (27.1 % [one unit], 41.9 % [two units]). Stockings (48.6 %, n = 6,038) were dispensed significantly more frequently than socks (36.9 %, n = 4,586) and tights (14.5 %, n = 1,806) (p < 0.01). The main contributors to mechanical VTE prophylaxis were gynecologists (26.3 % of dispensations, n = 2,280), general practitioners (20.2 %, n = 1,749) and midwives (15.1 %, n = 1,314). CONCLUSIONS: Low observed dispensation rates highlight a discrepancy between the French National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé, HAS), recommending EVCDs use during pregnancy and after delivery, and the real-life use of EVCD. Prescription sensitization combined with targeted information campaigns for pregnant women would be beneficial to contribute to the prevention of VTE, a health problem for pregnant women.

Laparoscopic Modified Radical Hysterectomy for Severe Endometriosis: A Single-Center Case Series.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The main objective is to describe the feasibility and report a single-center experience of a standardized laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy technique among patients with severe endometriosis and pouch of Douglas obliteration. DESIGN: A single-center case series of laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy performed at the Poissy Hospital between December 2012 and May 2021. SETTINGS: Single-center, gynecology unit (level III) with a focus on endometriosis. PATIENTS: Patients with severe endometriosis (stage 4 American Fertility Society) and pouch of Douglas obliteration. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-two patients with severe endometriosis underwent the surgical procedure. Of these patients, 23.1% underwent a rectal shaving (n = 12), 1.9% a discoid resection (n = 1), and 17.3% a rectal resection (n = 9), including a protective ileostomy in 1 case. Ureterolysis was performed on 82.7% of patients (n = 43). The average hospital stay was 3.3 days. Seven patients required intermittent self-catheterization (13.5%). Minor complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 1 and 2) occurred in 25.9% of the patients and severe complications in 3.8% of them (Clavien-Dindo grade 3, no grade 4). Two patients (3.8%) were reoperated: one for a postoperative occipital alopecia (balding) and the other for vaginal dehiscence with evisceration. Approximately 50 patients (96.2%) had a complete resection of endometriosis. The median follow-up was 14 months (interquartile range, 6-23 mo) with 94.3% of them improved (much and very much) and 3.8% minimally improved. CONCLUSION: In our experience, laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy is a reliable procedure with a low rate of severe complications. This technique needs to be assessed by other surgeons and others centers across the country and abroad, to determine the likelihood of it succeeding.

Measurement properties of sexual function assessment questionnaires in women with endometriosis: A systematic review following COSMIN guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual function of patients with endometriosis should be assessed by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that present high reliability and validity. The objective was to study the PROMs used to assess sexual function for patients with endometriosis to improve their selection for research and clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review from January 2000 to September 2023. All studies including women with confirmed endometriosis and assessing sexual quality of life or sexual function or sexual distress were retrieved. Different properties of PROMs used for sexual dysfunction were assessed according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) recommendations. Properties evaluated were: structural validity, internal consistency, cross-cultural validity, reliability, measurement error, criterion validity, construct validity, and responsiveness. This literature review was registered on Prospero as 2018 CRD42018102278. RESULTS: Seventy-four articles with evaluation of sexual function were included. Of the 25 PROMs assessing sexual function, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was the most frequently used (34/74 [45.9%] items), followed by the Female Sexual Distress Scale (9/74 [12.2%] items) and the Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ) (8/74 [10.8%] items). The most commonly used measurement properties were "hypothesis testing" and "responsiveness". The PROMs with a high level of evidence for these two measurement properties were the FSFI, the SAQ, the Short Sexual Functioning Scale, the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women, Sexual Quality of Life-Female, the Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function, and the Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire. The FSFI questionnaire appeared to be more relevant for evaluating medical treatment, and the SAQ for evaluating surgical treatment. Only one instrument was specific to endometriosis (the Subjective Impact of Dyspareunia Inventory [SIDI]). CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic literature review of sexual function assessment questionnaires in endometriosis, the FSFI and the SAQ questionnaires emerged as having the best measurement properties according to the COSMIN criteria. The FSFI questionnaire appears to be suited for evaluating medical treatment, and the SAQ for surgical treatment. The SIDI is the only specific questionnaire, but its responsiveness remains to be defined.

Do women with suspected endometriosis benefit from pelvic examination to improve diagnostic and management strategy?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the literature and expose best evidence available regarding the benefit of pelvic examination for women with suspected endometriosis METHODS: the AGREE II and GRADE systems for grading scientific evidence. RESULTS: Endometriosis is characterized by the heterogeneity in its clinical presentation with many different symptoms reported by patients. In the literature, questioning for each symptom has a high sensitivity, reaching 76-98 %, but lacks specificity (20 - 58 %). The symptom-based approach is limited by its low specificity, the absence of external validation for most of the models developed and the inability to characterize the extent of the disease, which could have major implications in the decision - making process. The latest systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of 30 studies with 4,565 participants, compared the diagnostic performance of several modalities for endometriosis. Physical examination had a pooled sensitivity of 71 % and a specificity of 69 %, with an average diagnostic accuracy of 0.76. Overall, the value of pelvic examination is conferred by its high positive likehood ratio and specificity. Besides its diagnostic value, pelvic examination improves patients' management by allowing the identification of a possible myofascial syndrome as a differential diagnosis. It also increases the quality of the preoperative workup and influences the quality of surgical excision and decreases the time to diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Despite the lack of studies in the primary care context, pelvic examination (vaginal speculum and digital vaginal examination) increases the diagnostic value for suspected endometriosis in association with questioning for symptoms.

[Vaginal laxity: Semiology, diagnosis and treatments]. / L'hyperlaxité vaginale : sémiologie, diagnostic et traitements.

OBJECTIVES: Vaginal laxity concerns 24 to 38% of women but it's still poorly understood and studied. The objective of this study is to do an inventory of current scientific knowledge about its definition, its diagnostic criteria, and treatments. METHODS: We conducted a non systematic review of literature including original articles in French and English about the definition, diagnostic criteria and treatments of vaginal laxity using data bases such as Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PubMed et Science Direct. RESULTS: It is a feeling of excessive looseness that can alter the quality of sexual intercourses. The main risk factor is vaginal delivery. The feeling of vaginal laxity appears to be linked to an excessive distensibility of the levator ani muscle that can be evaluated during physical examination by the measure of the genital hiatus and the perineal body (GH and PB measures from the POP-Q classification) during vasalva or by the measure of genital hiatus area by translabial sonography during valsalva. Although pelvic muscle training is currently prescribed as a first line treatment, data are limited to confirm its effectiveness in this affection. Colpoperineorraphy with levator ani myorraphy which was mostly evaluated in case of genital prolapse is associated with a high success rate but is at risk of dyspareunia. New nonsurgical treatments such as radiofrequency and vaginal laser seems to lead to lower success rate than surgical treatments but they are less invasive. Their effectiveness and long-term effects are still unknown which restrict their application in this condition. CONCLUSION: Vaginal laxity is a frequent condition that impacts on the quality of life and sexual function. Further studies should be conducted to better understand its physiopathology and the optimal treatment.

Developing a set of patient-centered outcomes for routine use in endometriosis: An international Delphi study.

INTRODUCTION: There is large variation in individual patient care for endometriosis. A uniform approach to measure outcomes could be incorporated into routine clinical practice to personalize and monitor treatments and potentially improve the quality of care. The aim of this study is to identify a group of patient-centered outcomes for use in routine endometriosis care which are relevant to all patient profiles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: By means of a modified two-round Delphi study with international representation including healthcare professionals, researchers and patient representatives (51 participants, 16 countries) we developed a set of patient-centered measurements. The participants evaluated 47 Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and 30 Clinician Reported Outcome Measures (CROMs) regarding their feasibility and relevance for their use in routine endometriosis care. After the two rounds of quotation, meetings of the experts were convened to participate in a final discussion to finalize the consensus of the final set of included measures. RESULTS: The final set of patient-centered outcomes includes six PROMs (measuring symptomatic impact, pain, work productivity and quality of life) and 10 CROMs (measuring clinical, imaging and surgical indicators). A supplementary list of outcomes was added to include important dimensions that were considered essential by the expert panel but are not relevant to all patients. In addition the need for development of specific tools (PROMs) measuring the psychological impact and the impact in sexual activity of endometriosis was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a set of patient-centered outcomes measures in endometriosis care. The selected outcomes comprise the common features for all patients suffering from endometriosis. adapted for use in routine practice. The list of outcomes has been adapted for use in routine practice from which clinicians can chose, depending on their needs.

Serious complications and recurrences after retropubic vs transobturator midurethral sling procedures for 2682 patients in the VIGI-MESH register.

BACKGROUND: Midurethral slings are the gold standard for treating stress urinary incontinence, but their complications may raise concerns. Complications may differ by the approach used to place them. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare serious complications and reoperations for recurrence after midurethral sling procedures when using the retropubic vs the transobturator route for female stress urinary incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: This analysis was of patients included in the French, multicenter VIGI-MESH register since February 2017 who received a midurethral sling for female stress urinary incontinence either by the retropubic or the transobturator route and excluded patients with single-incision slings. Follow-up continued until October 2021. Serious complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ grade III) attributable to the midurethral sling and reoperations for recurrence were compared using Cox proportional hazard models including any associated surgery (hysterectomy or prolapse) and a frailty term to consider the center effect. Baseline differences were balanced by propensity score weighting. Analyses using the propensity score and Cox models were adjusted for baseline differences, center effect, and associated surgery. RESULTS: A total of 1830 participants received a retropubic sling and 852 received a transobturator sling in 27 French centers that were placed by 167 surgeons. The cumulative 2-year estimate of serious complications was 5.8% (95% confidence interval, 4.8-7.0) in the retropubic group and 2.9% (95% confidence interval, 1.9-4.3) in the transobturator group, that is, after adjustment, half of the retropubic group was affected (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.6). The cumulative 2-year estimate of reoperation for recurrence of stress urinary incontinence was 2.7% (95% confidence interval, 2.0-3.6) in the retropubic group and 2.8% (95% confidence interval, 1.7-4.2) in the transobturator group with risk for revision for recurrence being higher in the transobturator group after adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.9); this surplus risk disappeared after exclusion of the patients with a previous surgery for stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: The transobturator route for midurethral sling placement is associated with a lower risk for serious complications but a higher risk for surgical reoperation for recurrence than the retropubic route. Despite the large number of surgeons involved, these risks were low. The data are therefore reassuring.

Interstitial pregnancy management: A multicentric analysis of 98 patients from the FRANCOGENT group comparing surgery and medical treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes associated with each therapeutic option for patients diagnosed with interstitial pregnancy (IP). METHODS: We conducted a multicentric retrospective cohort study within the departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics involved in the Francogent research group. Women treated for an interstitial pregnancy between January 2008 to December 2019 were included. Three therapeutic options were evaluated: surgical treatment (ST); in situ methotrexate combined with systemic methotrexate (IS-MTX); and systemic methotrexate (IM-MTX). Success of first-line treatment was defined by hCG negativation (<5I U/L). Secondary outcomes included the need for secondary surgical procedure, secondary medical treatment, emergency surgery, postoperative complications, duration of hospitalization, and delay before hCG negativation. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were managed for IP: 42 (42.9%) patients had IM-MTX; 34 (34.7%) had IS-MTX; and 22 (22.4%) had ST. First-line treatment was successful in all patients of the ST group (22/22, 100%), in 31% of patients within the IM-MTX group (13/42) and 70.6% (24/34) in the IS-MTX group. The sole parameter associated with the risk of treatment failure was the mode of methotrexate administration. The size of the gestational sac or the presence of fetal heartbeat was not associated with decreased medical treatment (IS or IM-MTX) efficiency. CONCLUSION: Either ST or IS-MTX are good options for IP treatment associated with high success rates. A single-dose regimen of IM-MTX is less efficient than IS-MTX or ST. Symptomatic patients with severity criteria should always undergo emergency surgery. IP remains a high-risk condition that should be managed, whenever possible, in referral centers to potentialize the chances of favorable outcomes.

[Pelvic exam in gynecology and obstetrics: Guidelines for clinical practice]. / Examen pelvien en gynécologie et obstétrique : recommandations pour la pratique clinique.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidelines for the pelvic clinical exam in gynecology and obstetrics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary experts consensus committee of 45 experts was formed, including representatives of patients' associations and users of the health system. The entire guidelines process was conducted independently of any funding. The authors were advised to follow the rules of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasized. METHODS: The committee studied 40 questions within 4 fields for symptomatic or asymptomatic women (emergency conditions, gynecological consultation, gynecological diseases, obstetrics, and pregnancy). Each question was formulated in a PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and the evidence profiles were produced. The literature review and recommendations were made according to the GRADE® methodology. RESULTS: The experts' synthesis work and the application of the GRADE method resulted in 27 recommendations. Among the formalized recommendations, 17 present a strong agreement, 7 a weak agreement and 3 an expert consensus agreement. Thirteen questions resulted in an absence of recommendation due to lack of evidence in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The need to perform clinical examination in gynecological and obstetrics patients was specified in 27 pre-defined situations based on scientific evidence. More research is required to investigate the benefit in other cases.

Multicenter External Validation of the Deep Pelvic Endometriosis Index Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score.

Importance: Preoperative mapping of deep pelvic endometriosis (DPE) is crucial as surgery can be complex and the quality of preoperative information is key. Objective: To evaluate the Deep Pelvic Endometriosis Index (dPEI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score in a multicenter cohort. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study, the surgical databases of 7 French referral centers were retrospectively queried for women who underwent surgery and preoperative MRI for DPE between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. Data were analyzed in October 2022. Intervention: Magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed using a dedicated lexicon and classified according to the dPEI score. Main outcomes and measures: Operating time, hospital stay, Clavien-Dindo-graded postoperative complications, and presence of de novo voiding dysfunction. Results: The final cohort consisted of 605 women (mean age, 33.3; 95% CI, 32.7-33.8 years). A mild dPEI score was reported in 61.2% (370) of the women, moderate in 25.8% (156), and severe in 13.1% (79). Central endometriosis was described in 93.2% (564) of the women and lateral endometriosis in 31.2% (189). Lateral endometriosis was more frequent in severe (98.7%) vs moderate (48.7%) disease and in moderate vs mild (6.7%) disease according to the dPEI (P < .001). Median operating time (211 minutes) and hospital stay (6 days) were longer in severe DPE than in moderate DPE (operating time, 150 minutes; hospital stay 4 days; P < .001), and in moderate than in mild DPE (operating time; 110 minutes; hospital stay, 3 days; P < .001). Patients with severe disease were 3.6 times more likely to experience severe complications than patients with mild or moderate disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.6; 95% CI, 1.4-8.9; P = .004). They were also more likely to experience postoperative voiding dysfunction (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.6-7.6; P = .001). Interobserver agreement between senior and junior readers was good (κ = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65-0.86). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest the ability of the dPEI to predict operating time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and de novo postoperative voiding dysfunction in a multicenter cohort. The dPEI may help clinicians to better anticipate the extent of DPE and improve clinical management and patient counseling.

Operative Hysteroscopy vs Vacuum Aspiration for Incomplete Spontaneous Abortion: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Vacuum aspiration is commonly used to remove retained products of conception in patients with incomplete spontaneous abortion. Scarring of the uterine cavity may occur, potentially impairing future fertility. A procedural alternative, operative hysteroscopy, has gained popularity with a presumption of better future fertility. Objective: To assess the superiority of hysteroscopy to vacuum aspiration for subsequent pregnancy in patients with incomplete spontaneous abortion who intend to have future pregnancy. Design, Setting, and Participants: The HY-PER randomized, controlled, single-blind trial included 574 patients between November 6, 2014, and May 3, 2017, with a 2-year duration of follow-up. This multicenter trial recruited patients in 15 French hospitals. Individuals aged 18 to 44 years and planned for surgery for an incomplete spontaneous abortion with plans to subsequently conceive were randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Interventions: Surgical treatment by hysteroscopy (n = 288) or vacuum aspiration (n = 286). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a pregnancy of at least 22 weeks' duration during 2-year follow-up. Results: The intention-to-treat analyses included 563 women (mean [SD] age, 32.6 [5.4] years). All aspiration procedures were completed. The hysteroscopic procedure could not be completed for 19 patients (7%), 18 of which were converted to vacuum aspiration (8 with inability to completely resect, 7 with insufficient visualization, 2 with anesthetic complications that required a shortened procedure, 1 with equipment failure). One hysteroscopy failed due to a false passage during cervical dilatation. During the 2-year follow-up, 177 patients (62.8%) in the hysteroscopy group and 190 (67.6%) in the vacuum aspiration (control) group achieved the primary outcome (difference, -4.8% [95% CI, -13% to 3.0%]; P = .23). The time-to-event analyses showed no statistically significant difference between groups for the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.71 to 1.07]). Duration of surgery and hospitalization were significantly longer for hysteroscopy. Rates of new miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, Clavien-Dindo surgical complications of grade 3 or above (requiring surgical, endoscopic, or radiological intervention or life-threatening event or death), and reinterventions to remove remaining products of conception did not differ between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Surgical management by hysteroscopy of incomplete spontaneous abortions in patients intending to conceive again was not associated with more subsequent births or a better safety profile than vacuum aspiration. Moreover, operative hysteroscopy was not feasible in all cases. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02201732.

[Performance of an Ultrasound Based Endometriosis Staging System (UBESS) for predicting rectal involvement and type of surgical procedure in patients with digestive endometriosis]. / Performance de l'échographie UBESS (Ultrasound Based Endometriosis Staging System) dans la prédiction d'une atteinte rectale et du type de geste opératoire chez les patientes atteintes d'endométriose digestive.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative assessment of rectal damage in digestive endometriosis requires rectal endoscopic ultra-sonography an invasive exam that is not well received by the patients. A standardized approach using an Ultrasound-Based Endometriosis Staging System (UBESS)could be an interesting tool in this indication. This article aims to evaluate the performance of UBESS in the prediction of rectal involvement and the type of surgical procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This monocentric retrospective study was conducted on patients with rectal endometriosis who underwent a curative surgical procedure, evaluated by UBESS ultrasound between January 2016 and December 2019 at the Poissy referral centre. The main analysis of the study was to assess the adequacy of the UBESS ultrasound stage, the presence of rectal involvement during surgery and the surgical technique required. The secondary objective was to determine the correlation between UBESS stages and RCOG levels of surgical difficulty. RESULTS: A total of one hundred and twenty-two patients were included and one hundred were analysed. Of these, thirty-nine had rectal involvement. There was a statistically significant association between the UBESS stage and the presence of a digestive lesion(P<0.0001). The ultrasound's parameters of thickness(P=0.0007), width(P=0.0082) and volume(P=0.0013) of the digestive lesion were significantly correlated with the extent of the surgical procedure. The correlation between the UBESS and RCOG classifications was very weak. CONCLUSION: UBESS is a powerful diagnostic tool for digestive damage allowing to give clear information to patients before surgery and optimizing the management plan of the surgery.

Laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy for women with stage IV AFS endometriosis and obliterated Douglas space: a technical note (with video).

Excision of deep infiltrating endometriosis has to be complete to prevent symptomatic recurrences but with more complications. The patients with obliterated Douglas space who wish a definitive treatment for their pain require a more complex hysterectomy to remove all the lesions. Laparoscopic modified radical hysterectomy may allow to perform safely this surgery following 9 steps. The dissection is standardized according to anatomical landmarks. The key steps are: extrafascial dissection of uterine pedicle by opening the pararectal spaces and paravesical space, nerve sparing, ureterolysis if needed, the retrograde dissection of rectovaginal space and the rectal step if needed. The rectal step depends on depth of rectal infiltration and on the number of nodules (rectal shaving, disc excision or rectal resection). This standardized procedure could help surgeons to achieve a complex radical surgery for patients with endometriosis and obliterated Douglas space.

Do Surgeons Anticipate Women's Hopes and Fears Associated with Prolapse Repair? A Qualitative Analysis in the PROSPERE Trial.

Women's preoperative perceptions of pelvic-floor disorders may differ from those of their physicians. Our objective was to specify women's hopes and fears before cystocele repair, and to compare them to those that surgeons anticipate. We performed a secondary qualitative analysis of data from the PROSPERE trial. Among the 265 women included, 98% reported at least one hope and 86% one fear before surgery. Sixteen surgeons also completed the free expectations-questionnaire as a typical patient would. Women's hopes covered seven themes, and women's fears eleven. Women's hopes were concerning prolapse repair (60%), improvement of urinary function (39%), capacity for physical activities (28%), sexual function (27%), well-being (25%), and end of pain or heaviness (19%). Women's fears were concerning prolapse relapse (38%), perioperative concerns (28%), urinary disorders (26%), pain (19%), sexual problems (10%), and physical impairment (6%). Surgeons anticipated typical hopes and fears which were very similar to those the majority of women reported. However, only 60% of the women reported prolapse repair as an expectation. Women's expectations appear reasonable and consistent with the scientific literature on the improvement and the risk of relapse or complication related to cystocele repair. Our analysis encourages surgeons to consider individual woman's expectations before pelvic-floor repair.