Randomized controlled trial of postoperative belladonna and opium rectal suppositories in vaginal surgery.

BACKGROUND: After vaginal surgery, oral and parenteral narcotics are used commonly for pain relief, and their use may exacerbate the incidence of sedation, nausea, and vomiting, which ultimately delays convalescence. Previous studies have demonstrated that rectal analgesia after surgery results in lower pain scores and less intravenous morphine consumption. Belladonna and opium rectal suppositories may be used to relieve pain and minimize side effects; however, their efficacy has not been confirmed. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the use of belladonna and opium suppositories for pain reduction in vaginal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that used belladonna and opium suppositories after inpatient or outpatient vaginal surgery was conducted. Vaginal surgery was defined as (1) vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension or (2) posthysterectomy prolapse repair that included uterosacral ligament suspension and/or colporrhaphy. Belladonna and opium 16A (16.2/60 mg) or placebo suppositories were administered rectally immediately after surgery and every 8 hours for a total of 3 doses. Patient-reported pain data were collected with the use of a visual analog scale (at 2, 4, 12, and 20 hours postoperatively. Opiate use was measured and converted into parenteral morphine equivalents. The primary outcome was pain, and secondary outcomes included pain medication, antiemetic medication, and a quality of recovery questionnaire. Adverse effects were surveyed at 24 hours and 7 days. Concomitant procedures for urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse did not preclude enrollment. RESULTS: Ninety women were randomly assigned consecutively at a single institution under the care of a fellowship-trained surgeon group. Demographics did not differ among the groups with mean age of 55 years, procedure time of 97 minutes, and prolapse at 51%. Postoperative pain scores were equivalent among both groups at each time interval. The belladonna and opium group used a mean of 57 mg morphine compared with 66 mg for placebo (P=.43) in 24 hours. Patient satisfaction with recovery was similar (P=.59). Antiemetic and ketorolac use were comparable among groups. Subgroup analyses of patients with prolapse and patients <50 years old did not reveal differences in pain scores. The use of belladonna and opium suppositories was uncomplicated, and adverse effects, which included constipation and urinary retention, were similar among groups. CONCLUSION: Belladonna and opium suppositories are safe for use after vaginal surgery. Belladonna and opium suppositories did not reveal lower pain or substantially lower narcotic use. Further investigation may be warranted to identify a population that may benefit optimally from belladonna and opium use.

Histologic characteristics of vaginal cuff tissue from patients with vaginal cuff dehiscence.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the histologic characteristics of vaginal tissue in patients with vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) after robotic hysterectomy and to compare this group with patients without dehiscence. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Academic center. PATIENTS: Seven patients with VCD and 6 patients without VCD. INTERVENTIONS: Vaginal cuff tissue was obtained from all patients and was stained using hematoxylin-eosin and evaluated for acute and chronic inflammation markers including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Immunohistochemical staining was performed and evaluated using the semiquantitative method for collagen types I and III, smooth muscle actin, and SM22α (myofibroblast) content. Grading was performed by 4 blinded investigators. The Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the 2 groups, and correlation coefficients for interobserver variability. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The VCD group, compared with the non-VCD group, demonstrated significantly greater numbers of neutrophils (1.71 vs 1.0; p = .04), lymphocytes (2.85 vs 1.33; p = .002), and plasma cells (2.2 vs 1.0; p = .001). There was no statistical difference between the groups in amounts of collagen I (1.71 vs 1.27; p = .09) and collagen III (1.66 vs 1.38; p = .37), smooth muscle actin (1.23 vs 1.33; p = .65), and SM22α (1.85 vs 1.27; p = .09). Interobserver variability was low (κ = 0.86; p = .76). CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, patients with VCD demonstrated significantly higher levels of acute and chronic inflammatory cells. This finding suggests that a prolonged inflammatory phase may be delaying normal progression to reparation in patients with dehiscence.

Surgical treatment of vaginal vault prolapse: a historic summary and review of outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to review the history of surgical treatment of vaginal vault prolapse, its current treatments, and its outcomes. METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted using the following terms: vaginal vault prolapse, apical prolapse, surgical treatments, culdoplasty, uterosacral ligament fixation, and sacral colpopexy. RESULTS: Vaginal vault prolapse is a common condition with many surgical treatment options. Surgical principles and treatment of this condition dates back to the 19th century. Native tissue repairs such as McCall culdoplasty, uterosacral ligament fixation, and sacrospinous fixation have high overall success rates with restoring apical anatomy. Sacral colpopexy also has excellent success rates when mesh is needed to augment repairs. CONCLUSIONS: There are many options for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. Modifications have been made to the original procedures; however, the basic principles are still applicable and include attaching the vaginal apex to level 1 support.

The effect of rectal distension on bladder function in patients with overactive bladder.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of rectal distension on bladder sensation volumes and the number of detrusor contractions in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. METHODS: A prospective randomized study included patients with OAB symptoms. Multichannel urodynamic studies were completed with and without rectal balloon distension. Bladder sensation volumes and detrusor contractions were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included in the study. The mean age was 67 years and mean BMI was 28.3 kg/m(2) . Bladder sensation volumes were lower with rectal distention as follows: normal desire to void (139 ml SD, ±114 vs. 197 ml SD ±150, P = 0.01), strong desire to void (260 ml SD ±171 vs. 330 ml SD ±172, P = 0.01), and maximum cystometric capacity (326 ml SD ±183 vs. 403 ml SD ±180, P = 0.0001). There was no difference in the number of detrusor contractions or the bladder volume at which the first detrusor contraction had occurred with and without rectal distension. CONCLUSION: Rectal distention in patients with OAB symptoms significantly lowered bladder sensation volumes (normal desire, strong desire, and maximal capacity).

Robotic presacral neurectomy - technique and results.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility, safety and outcomes of robotic presacral neurectomy were evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 33 patients with midline chronic pelvic pain, who underwent robotic presacral neurectomy. Data were collected during the period March 2004-March 2010. RESULTS: All patients underwent robotic presacral neurectomy and additional robotic procedures. Mean operating time for robotic presacral neurectomy was 5.8 (range 4.4-6.9) min. Mean blood loss, including concomitant procedures, was 39 (range 15-150) ml. Most patients were discharged the same day (60%) and mean hospital stay was 0.39 (range 0-2) days. There were no conversions or intra-operative complications. There were two postoperative complications: one pelvic abscess and one Clostridium difficile colitis. Pain improvement was reported by 73% (22/30) of patients. CONCLUSION: Robotic presacral neurectomy is safe and feasible, resulting in improvement of pelvic pain in selected patients.

Use of anti-skid material and patient-positioning to prevent patient shifting during robotic-assisted gynecologic procedures.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate patient shifting with the current practice of use of an antiskid material and patient positioning during robotic procedures in gynecology. DESIGN: Pilot observational study (Canadian Task Force classification). SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Twenty-two women undergoing robotic-assisted gynecologic procedures. INTERVENTION: Antiskid material (egg-crate pink foam) was placed beneath patients and patient positioning was used during robotic-assisted procedures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patient position was marked before and after surgery. Measurements of shift distance before and after surgery were determined for each patient. Median (range) shift distance was 1.3 (0-7.5) cm. There was no significant association between shift in position and either body mass index or duration of the Trendelenburg position. No shoulder neuropathic injuries were observed during the study. CONCLUSION: Minimal patient shifting is observed with the use of an antiskid material and patient positioning described, without the use of shoulder braces and straps.

A comparison of laparoscopic and abdominal sacral colpopexy: objective outcome and perioperative differences.

The purpose of this study was to compare anatomic and perioperative outcomes following laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) and abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC). The hypothesis is that the laparoscopic technique has similar anatomic outcomes as compared with the open technique. A retrospective comparative chart review was conducted consisting of 43 patients who underwent laparoscopic sacral colpopexy and 41 patients who underwent abdominal sacral colpopexy. Demographics were comparable between groups except mean follow-up time (LSC = 7.4 months, ASC = 10.6 months). Mean improvement at the apex was similar between the two groups. Hospital stay in hours was shorter for the LSC group (mean/median = 35.4/30.9) than the ASC group (mean/median = 63.3/54.1, p < 0.001). Mean operative time was similar (LSC = 183, ASC = 168 min, p = NS) and complication rates were comparable between the groups. Patients undergoing laparoscopic and abdominal sacral colpopexy have comparable anatomical outcomes and operative times. Laparoscopy affords a shorter hospital stay.