Pelvic exenteration: a retrospective study in a tertiary referral cancer center in the UK.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is an extensive surgery that is indicated in cases of recurrent advanced gynecological cancer with curative and sometimes palliative intent. The procedure is associated with both high morbidity and mortality and as such is considered a highly specialist procedure. The aim of the study was to analyze surgical outcomes in women who underwent PE for advanced gynecological malignancy in a tertiary cancer referral center over 11 years. METHODS: This is an observational retrospective single-center study. There were 17 patients included who underwent PE in Hull Royal Infirmary Hospital (Hull, UK) between 2010 and 2021. The main outcome measures were the perioperative complications, overall survival (OS), and recurrence free survival (RFS). Cumulative survival rates were reported at 1, 3 and 5 years. Univariate Cox regression analysis was undertaken to analyze factors that are prognostic for OS and RFS. Hazard Ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed from the results of the Cox regression analyses. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to visually display estimates of OS and RFS over the follow-up period. RESULTS: The median age at the time of surgery was 63.0 (IQR: 48.0-71.0). All patients received surgery with curative intent and complete tumor resection (R0) was achieved in 94.1% of cases. An overall 5-year survival was achieved in 63.7% of patients. Mean overall survival (OS) was 8.4 years (95% CI: 7.78-9.02). The RFS was 5.0 years (95% CI: 4.13-5.87). Both OS and RFS were significantly negatively affected by the hospital stay (P=0.020 and P=0.035, respectively), but not by the type of surgery (P=0.263 and P=0.826, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study demonstrated stable and comparable outcomes in patients undergoing pelvic exenteration.

Bladder Prolapse Configuration on Baseline Standing Cystogram Can Predict Anterior Vaginal Wall Suspension Procedure Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether bladder prolapse shape on lateral voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is an accurate predictor of anterior vaginal wall suspension (AVWS) procedure outcomes. METHODS: Following an institutional review board approval, preoperative lateral standing VCUG views from a prospectively maintained database of women who underwent AVWS for stage ≥2 cystocele were reviewed retrospectively by 3 reviewers. Patients with no retrievable preoperative VCUG imaging were excluded. Only the straining view with a fixed bladder volume of 125 cc was used for this project. Cystocele shape on imaging was scored as either (1) "round," (2) "crescent," or (3) not readable (suboptimal image quality or excessive artifact from prosthesis). A subset of cases was rescored by each reviewer for intra-rater reliability analysis. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was calculated using the weighted kappa coefficient (κ). Cystocele shape was correlated with the published long-term clinical outcomes after AVWS of these same women, with failure defined as prolapse recurrence stage >2 clinically or reoperation for prolapse (Kaplan-Meier). RESULTS: Between 1997 and 2013, 79 women met the study criteria. All 3 reviewers had moderate to high intra-rater reliability (κ = 1.00, 0.82, and 0.79). Inter-rater reliability among the 3 reviewers was significant (κ = 0.76), with 81% (64 out of 79) ratings in perfect concordance and 19% (15 out of 79) with 1 reviewer discordance. Prolapse recurrence-free probability between round- and crescent-shaped cystoceles was statistically significant (P = .0304). CONCLUSION: Bladder prolapse shape on baseline standing VCUG can be used to predict AVWS outcomes, with round-shaped cystoceles faring better with this vaginal native tissue repair procedure.

Urodynamics findings in transverse myelitis patients with lower urinary tract symptoms: Results from a tertiary referral urodynamic center.

AIMS: To characterize urodynamic findings in patients referred with transverse myelitis (TM) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), as well as to identify any characteristics predictive of urodynamics findings. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of an IRB-approved neurogenic bladder database of patients followed by a single surgeon between 2001 and 2013. Patient characteristics, questionnaire data, radiologic studies, and urodynamic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 836 patients in the neurogenic bladder database, 28 patients (17 females, 11 males) were referred with a principle diagnosis of TM (3%). Twenty-one of twenty-eight patients (75%) underwent urodynamics testing. Bladder management at initial urologic evaluation was CIC or urethral catheter for 16/28 patients (57.1%). Median MCC was 303 ml (85-840 ml), detrusor overactivity (DO) was present in 16/21 (76%), detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in 10/21 (48%), and decreased compliance in 7/21 (33%). For those voiding, mean Qmax was 12 ± 10 ml/sec and pdet at Qmax was 41 ± 17 cmH2 O. Longitudinally extensive TM (LETM) was the only patient characteristic associated with DO (P = 0.0276). No other patient characteristics were associated with urodynamics parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Significant urodynamic testing abnormalities are noted in the majority of TM patients undergoing urodynamics, with 95% having DO, DSD, altered compliance, or detrusor underactivity. Other than the association between LETM and DO, there were no patient characteristics predictive of urodynamics findings. Based on the severity of urodynamics findings in our series, patients with TM and LUTS should have thorough baseline urological evaluations including urodynamics and be offered ongoing surveillance. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:360-363, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Due to Bacterial Persistence or Reinfection in Women-Does This Factor Impact Upper Tract Imaging Findings?

PURPOSE: We compared the rates of upper tract imaging abnormalities of recurrent urinary tract infections due to bacterial persistence or reinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional review board approval we reviewed a prospectively maintained database of women with documented recurrent urinary tract infections (3 or more per year) and trigonitis. We searched for demographic data, urine culture findings and findings on radiology interpreted upper tract imaging, including renal ultrasound, computerized tomography or excretory urogram. Patients with irretrievable images, absent or incomplete urine culture results for review, no imaging performed, an obvious source of recurrent urinary tract infections or a history of pyelonephritis were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: Of 289 women from 2006 to 2014 with symptomatic recurrent urinary tract infections 116 met study inclusion criteria. Mean ± SD age was 65.0 ± 14.4 years. Of the women 95% were white and 81% were postmenopausal. Almost a third were sexually active and none had prolapse stage 2 or greater. Of the 116 women 48 (41%) had persistent and 68 (59%) had reinfection recurrent urinary tract infection. Imaging included ultrasound in 52 patients, computerized tomography in 26, ultrasound and computerized tomography in 31, and excretory urogram with ultrasound/computerized tomography in 7. Of the total of 58 imaging findings in 55 women 57 (98%) were noncontributory. One case (0.9%) of mild hydronephrosis was noted in the persistent recurrent urinary tract infection group but it was not related to any clinical parameters. Escherichia coli was the dominant bacteria in 71% of persistent and 47% of reinfection recurrent urinary tract infections in the most recently reported urine culture. CONCLUSIONS: This study reaffirms that upper tract imaging is not indicated for bacterial reinfection, recurrent urinary tract infections. However, the same conclusion can be extended to recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to bacterial persistence, thus, questioning the routine practice of upper tract studies in white postmenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections and trigonitis.

Quality of life after suprapubic catheter placement in patients with neurogenic bladder conditions.

AIMS: To evaluate quality of life in patients with neurogenic bladder (NGB) conditions who have elected to undergo suprapubic catheterization (SPC), as well as assess adverse events (AEs) related to the procedure. METHODS: This is a retrospective review from a database of NGB patients from 1/1/2003 to 6/30/2013. Patients who underwent SPC placement were invited to complete a validated, single item Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire. Success or positive response was defined as 1 or 2 on a scale of 1-7. All patients were included in the assessment of AEs. RESULTS: Of the 128 patients who underwent SPC, 89 patients (54 female, 35 male) met inclusion criteria. Response rate to the PGI-I questionnaire was 65.2% (58/89). Mean age at the time of SPC placement was 54.4 years (± 14.4). The mean time from SPC placement to PGI-I questionnaire was 48.3 months (Range 4.4-128.4). Overall, success was seen in 49/58 patients (84.5%). Only 5.2% (3/58) patients reported a negative PGI-I (score 5/7). There was an 18.8% rate of short term complications, with the majority of these being classified as Clavien I. There was one Clavien IIIb complication (0.8%), which consisted of a small bowel perforation. CONCLUSIONS: SPC is an effective bladder management in carefully selected NGB patients who have failed other options. Over 80% considered the SPC to have improved their urological quality of life with a mean time to questionnaire of 4 years. Severe AEs are rare, though can be particularly serious in this group of neurologically impaired patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:831-835, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Urodynamics for incontinence after midurethral sling removal.

INTRODUCTION: We reviewed the role of urodynamics (UDS) in the management of women with incontinence following mid-urethral sling removal (MUSR). METHODS: Following IRB approval, women from a longitudinal database who had persistent or recurrent urinary incontinence (UI) after MUSR, desired further therapy, and subsequently underwent UDS were reviewed. Women with neurogenic bladder, obstructive symptoms without UI, urethra-vaginal fistula, anterior compartment prolapse >Stage 2, or those who had concomitant autologous sling surgery at the time of MUSR were excluded. Interval time between MUSR and UDS, UDS findings, and UI management after UDS were recorded. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2013, 71 of 246 women had UDS after MUSR for persistent or recurrent UI. For the 54 women in the final analysis, mean time between tape removal and UDS was 12.4 months (range: 4-65). UDS demonstrated incontinence in 78% of patients: stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in 19 (35%), detrusor overactivity incontinence (DOI) in 6 (11%), and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) in 17 (32%). On pressure-flow studies, the following voiding patterns were demonstrated: normal voiding (39), valsalva voiding (6), obstruction (2), underactive detrusor (1), no voiding records (6). UDS storage and emptying data were used in subsequent symptom-based patient counseling for treatment planning. Urethral bulking agent was the most commonly chosen management (43%). CONCLUSION: Our current guidelines for UDS in women after incontinence procedures and MUSR are currently based on a low level of evidence. This study reinforces the role of UDS to guide therapy for UI after MUSR. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:939-943, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Risk of Prolapse Recurrence after Native Tissue Anterior Vaginal Suspension Procedure with Intermediate to Long-Term Followup.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse after native tissue repair for stage 2 anterior prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively maintained, institutional review board approved database of women with symptomatic stage 2 anterior prolapse who underwent vaginal repair with anterior vaginal wall suspension between 1996 and 2014. Women with concurrent pelvic organ prolapse repair or hysterectomy or without 1 year followup were excluded from analysis. Failure was defined as stage 2 or greater prolapse recurrence on examination or reoperation for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse. Outcome measures included validated questionnaires (Urogenital Distress Inventory-short form, quality of life), physical examination, standing voiding cystourethrogram at 6 months postoperatively, further surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in other compartments or for secondary stress urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 121 women met the study inclusion criteria with a mean followup of 5.8 ± 3.7 years. Prolapse recurrence rates were isolated anterior 7.4%, isolated apical 10.7%, isolated posterior 8.3% and multiple compartments 19%. Surgery for recurrent prolapse included anterior compartment 3.3% at 1.4 ± 1.0 years, apical 9.9% at 2.8 ± 3.0 years, posterior compartment 5.8% at 2.0 ± 1.0 years and multiple compartments 17.4% at 3.2 ± 3.3 years. There was a 1.6% rate of intraoperative complications and a 5.7% rate of 30-day complications (all Clavien I). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior vaginal wall suspension for symptomatic stage 2 anterior prolapse offers a native tissue vaginal repair with minimal morbidity and a low anterior recurrence rate at intermediate to long-term followup. However, 33% of patients required secondary prolapse compartment procedures from 0.6 to 13 years later, highlighting the importance of long-term followup.

Prolapse Recurrence after Transvaginal Mesh Removal.

PURPOSE: We determined the rate of pelvic organ prolapse recurrence after transvaginal mesh removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional review board approval a longitudinally collected database of women undergoing transvaginal mesh removal for complications after transvaginal mesh placement with at least 1 year minimum followup was queried for pelvic organ prolapse recurrence. Recurrent prolapse was defined as greater than stage 1 on examination or the need for reoperation at the site of transvaginal mesh removal. Outcome measures were based on POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System) at the last visit. Patients were grouped into 3 groups, including group 1--recurrent prolapse in the same compartment as transvaginal mesh removal, 2--persistent prolapse and 3--prolapse in a compartment different than transvaginal mesh removal. RESULTS: Of 73 women 52 met study inclusion criteria from 2007 to 2013, including 73% who presented with multiple indications for transvaginal mesh removal. The mean interval between insertion and removal was 45 months (range 10 to 165). Overall mean followup after transvaginal mesh removal was 30 months (range 12 to 84). In group 1 (recurrent prolapse) the rate was 15% (6 of 40 patients). Four women underwent surgery for recurrent prolapse at a mean 7 of months (range 5 to 10). Two patients elected observation. The rate of persistent prolapse (group 2) was 23% (12 of 52 patients). Three women underwent prolapse reoperation at a mean of 10 months (range 8 to 12). In group 3 (de novo/different compartment prolapse) the rate was 6% (3 of 52 patients). One woman underwent surgical repair at 52 months. CONCLUSIONS: At a mean 2.5-year followup 62% of patients (32 of 52) did not have recurrent or persistent prolapse after transvaginal mesh removal and 85% (44 of 52) did not undergo any further procedure for prolapse. Specifically for pelvic organ prolapse in the same compartment as transvaginal mesh removal 12% of patients had recurrence, of whom 8% underwent prolapse repair.

Mini-slings can cause complications.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Single-incision mini-slings (SIMS) have been advocated to avoid the complications of transobturator and retropubic midurethral slings. We present a series of SIMS complications and their outcome after vaginal removal at a tertiary care center. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, a prospective database of consecutive women who underwent SIMS removal for complications and had a minimum follow-up of 6 months was reviewed. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed by main symptom category. In addition, an ideal outcome or cure was defined as continent, pain-free, sexually active if active preoperatively, and not requiring additional medical or surgical therapy. RESULTS: Of 23 women, 17 met inclusion criteria. Presenting symptoms were varied but dominated by incontinence (14), pelvic pain (11), dyspareunia (10), and obstructive urinary symptoms/urinary retention (5), with 76 % presenting with more than one complaint. Type of SIMS included MiniArc™ (11), Solyx™ (4), and TVT-Secur™ (2). At a mean follow-up of 17 ± 9 (range 7-44) months after SIMS removal, six (35 %) women were cured of their presenting complaint. Among the 11 women with pelvic pain, 6 had resolution of pain, 2 improvement, and 3 persistent pain. Six of seven women who were sexually active beforehand resumed sexual activity. Dyspareunia persisted in three women. Of 14 with incontinence, 8 had cure or improvement, and obstructive symptoms resolved in 4 of 5. CONCLUSIONS: This series outlines several complications with SIMS, similar to what has been reported with other suburethral synthetic tapes. Therefore, caution is required and patient counseling is important.

Anterior vaginal wall suspension procedure for moderate bladder and uterine prolapse as a method of uterine preservation.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with anterior vaginal wall suspension for moderate anterior vaginal compartment prolapse and uterine descent less than stage 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on patients who underwent anterior vaginal wall suspension with uterine preservation by hysteropexy and had a 1-year minimum followup were extracted from a long-term, prospective, institutional review board approved, surgical prolapse database. The indication for uterine preservation was uterine descent not beyond the distal third of the vagina with traction with the patient under anesthesia, and negative Pap smear and pelvic ultrasound preoperatively. The upper suture of the anterior vaginal wall suspension secures the cardinal ligament complex, allowing for uterine suspension once the suture is transferred suprapubically. Failure was defined as prolapse recurrence greater than stage 2 on physical examination or the need for reoperation for uterine descent. Outcome measures at serial intervals included validated questionnaires, physical examination, standing voiding cystourethrogram at 6 months postoperatively and complications. RESULTS: From May 1996 to March 2012, 52 of 739 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean followup was 55 months (range 12 to 175, median 44). Mean patient age was 62 years (range 38 to 81), mean body mass index was 26.7 kg/m(2) (range 18.3 to 49.4) and mean parity was 2.7. There were no transfusions or intraoperative complications. Overall 7 (13%) patients underwent subsequent hysterectomy for uterine prolapse recurrence at 7 months to 6 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior vaginal wall suspension procedure offers a simple, mesh-free surgical alternative with acceptable long-term followup in patients with moderate uterine prolapse who wish for uterine preservation. However, patients should be appropriately counseled about the low risk of subsequent hysterectomy.

Comparative effectiveness of perineal versus retropubic and minimally invasive radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: While perineal radical prostatectomy has been largely supplanted by retropubic and minimally invasive radical prostatectomy, it was the predominant surgical approach for prostate cancer for many years. In our population based study we compared the use and outcomes of perineal radical prostatectomy vs retropubic and minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified men diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2003 to 2005 who underwent perineal (452), minimally invasive (1,938) and retropubic (6,899) radical prostatectomy using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked data through 2007. We compared postoperative 30-day and anastomotic stricture complications, incontinence and erectile dysfunction, and cancer therapy (hormonal therapy and/or radiotherapy). RESULTS: Perineal radical prostatectomy comprised 4.9% of radical prostatectomies during our study period and use decreased with time. On propensity score adjusted analysis men who underwent perineal vs retropubic radical prostatectomy had shorter hospitalization (median 2 vs 3 days, p < 0.001), received fewer heterologous transfusions (7.2% vs 20.8%, p < 0.001) and required less additional cancer therapy (4.9% vs 6.9%, p = 0.020). When comparing perineal vs minimally invasive radical prostatectomy men who underwent the former required more heterologous transfusions (7.2% vs 2.7%, p = 0.018) but experienced fewer miscellaneous medical complications (5.3% vs 10.0%, p = 0.045) and erectile dysfunction procedures (1.4 vs 2.3/100 person-years, p = 0.008). The mean and median expenditure for perineal radical prostatectomy in the first 6 months postoperatively was $1,500 less than for retropubic or minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Men who undergo perineal vs retropubic and minimally invasive radical prostatectomy experienced favorable outcomes associated with lower expenditure. Urologists may be abandoning an underused but cost-effective surgical approach that compares favorably with its successors.