Incidence of de novo stress urinary incontinence following minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in stress-continent women following minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy without an anti-incontinence procedure. METHODS: We completed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy without concurrent anti-incontinence procedures from October 2006 through January 2021. RESULTS: Of the 169 women who underwent minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy, 17.1% (n=30) developed de novo SUI, and 7.1% eventually underwent a midurethral sling placement. On logistic regression, BMI, preoperative urinary urgency, and history of transvaginal mesh repair were found to be significantly associated with and predictive of de novo SUI. When the concordance index (C-index) was calculated with the model published by Jelovsek et al. for women who developed de novo SUI within 12 months of the prolapse surgery, the current de novo SUI calculator was able to discriminate de novo SUI outcome (C-index = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of de novo SUI after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy without anti-incontinence procedure correlates directly with higher BMI, preoperative urinary urgency, and transvaginal mesh history for POP. Preoperative counseling for minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy should include discussing the risk of de novo SUI and preoperative factors that may increase this risk.

Comparing Minimally Invasive Sacrocolpopexy With Vaginal Uterosacral Ligament Suspension: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study Through the Fellows' Pelvic Research Network.

IMPORTANCE: Comparing one-year surgical outcomes of two widely used surgical procedures for apical suspension. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to compare anatomic outcomes after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISC) and vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension (vUSLS). STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study through the Fellows' Pelvic Research Network. Patients with ≥ stage II pelvic organ prolapse (POP) who underwent MISC or vUSLS from January 2013 to January 2016, identified through the Current Procedural Terminology codes, with 1 year or longer postoperative data were included. Patients with prior POP surgery or history of connective tissue disorders were excluded. Anatomic success was defined as Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System measurements: Ba/Bp ≤ 0 or C ≤ -TVL/2. Data were compared using χ 2 or Fisher exact tests. Continuous data were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-seven patients underwent MISC (171 laparoscopic, 166 robotic) and 165 underwent vUSLS. The MISC group had longer operative time (205.9 minutes vs 187.5 minutes, P = 0.006) and lower blood loss (77.8 mL vs 187.4 mL; P < 0.001). Two patients (0.6%) in the MISC group had mesh exposure requiring surgical excision. Permanent suture exposure was higher after vUSLS (6.1%). At 1 year, anatomic success was comparable in the apical (322 [97%] MISC vs 160 [97%] vUSLS, P = 0.99) and posterior compartments (326 [97.6%] MISC vs 164 [99.4%] vUSLS; P = 0.28). Anterior compartment success was higher in the MISC group (328 [97.9%] vs 156 [94.9%], P = 0.04) along with longer total vaginal length (9.2 ± 1.8 vs 8.4 ± 1.5, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: At 1 year, patients who underwent MISC or vUSLS had similar apical support. Low rates of mesh and suture exposures, less anterior recurrence, and longer TVL were noted after MISC.

Postoperative complications and pelvic organ prolapse recurrence following combined pelvic organ prolapse and rectal prolapse surgery compared with pelvic organ prolapse only surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in combined pelvic organ prolapse and rectal prolapse surgery for concomitant pelvic floor prolapse despite a paucity of data regarding complications and clinical outcomes of combined repair. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to compare the <30-day postoperative complication rate in women undergoing combined POP + RP surgery with that of women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery. The secondary objectives were to describe the <30-day postoperative complications, compare the pelvic organ prolapse recurrence between the 2 groups, and determine the preoperative predictors of <30-day postoperative complications and predictors of pelvic organ prolapse recurrence. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study at 5 academic hospitals. Patients undergoing combined pelvic organ prolapse and rectal prolapse surgery were matched by age, pelvic organ prolapse stage by leading compartment, and pelvic organ prolapse procedure compared with those undergoing pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery from March 2003 to March 2020. The primary outcome measure was <30-day complications separated into Clavien-Dindo classes. The secondary outcome measures were (1) subsequent pelvic organ prolapse surgeries and (2) pelvic organ prolapse recurrence, defined as patients who complained of vaginal bulge symptoms postoperatively. RESULTS: Overall, 204 women underwent combined surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and rectal prolapse, and 204 women underwent surgery for pelvic organ prolapse only. The average age (59.3±1.0 vs 59.0±1.0) and mean parity (2.3±1.5 vs 2.6±1.8) were similar in each group. Of note, 109 (26.7%) patients had at least one <30-day postoperative complication. The proportion of patients who had a complication in the combined surgery group and pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery group was similar (27.5% vs 26.0%; P=.82). The Clavien-Dindo scores were similar between the groups (grade I, 10.3% vs 9.3%; grade II, 11.8% vs 12.3%; grade III, 3.9% vs 4.4%; grade IV, 1.0% vs 0%; grade V, 0.5% vs 0%). Patients undergoing combined surgery were less likely to develop postoperative urinary tract infections and urinary retention but were more likely to be treated for wound infections and pelvic abscesses than patients undergoing pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery. After adjusting for combined surgery vs pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery and parity, patients who had anti-incontinence procedures (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.94; P=.02) and perineorrhaphies (adjusted odds ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.70; P=.02) were more likely to have <30-day postoperative complications. Of note, 12 patients in the combined surgery group and 15 patients in the pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery group had subsequent pelvic organ prolapse repairs (5.9% vs 7.4%; P=.26). In the combined surgery group, 10 patients (4.9%) underwent 1 repair, and 2 patients (1.0%) underwent 2 repairs. All patients who had recurrent pelvic organ prolapse surgery in the pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery group had 1 subsequent pelvic organ prolapse repair. Of note, 21 patients in the combined surgery group and 28 patients in the pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery group reported recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (10.3% vs 13.7%; P=.26). On multivariable analysis adjusted for number of previous pelvic organ prolapse repairs, combined surgery vs pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery, and perineorrhaphy at the time of surgery, patients were more likely to have a subsequent pelvic organ prolapse surgery if they had had ≥2 previous pelvic organ prolapse repairs (adjusted odds ratio, 6.06; 95% confidence interval, 2.10-17.5; P=.01). The average follow-up times were 307.2±31.5 days for the combined surgery cohort and 487.7±49.9 days for the pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery cohort. Survival curves indicated that the median time to recurrence was not statistically significant (log-rank, P=.265) between the combined surgery group (4.2±0.4 years) and the pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery group (5.6±0.4 years). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cohort study, patients undergoing combined pelvic organ prolapse and rectal prolapse surgery had a similar risk of <30-day postoperative complications compared with patients undergoing pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery. Furthermore, patients who underwent combined surgery had a similar risk of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse and subsequent pelvic organ prolapse surgery compared with patients who underwent pelvic organ prolapse-only surgery.

Synchronous Telemedicine Model in Urogynecology: Are Patients Willing to Continue Telemedicine in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era?

IMPORTANCE: Following the recent expansion of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, this remote model of care in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery will likely remain and continue to evolve. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess patients' perceptions of and willingness to participate in a synchronous telemedicine visit beyond the COVID-19 pandemic for women with pelvic floor disorders. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study of women who completed a synchronous telemedicine visit from March 16 through May 22, 2020, at a urogynecology practice in an academic medical center. An electronic survey was distributed to women after all telemedicine visits. Demographic data, visit type, and survey responses were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred two women received the survey, and 135 women completed it (response rate of 66.8%). The mean age of the respondents was 62.9 ± 16.4 years, and the 3 most common visit diagnoses were overactive bladder (43.7%), stress urinary incontinence (22.2%), and pelvic organ prolapse (21.4%). Most survey participants (88.9%) found that the quality of their telemedicine visits was better than expected, and 89.6% reported that they would like to continue telemedicine care. Our survey showed that 19.4% of women reported difficulty with technology. CONCLUSIONS: We found that most women presenting for synchronous telemedicine urogynecology care had a positive visit experience and would continue to use telemedicine for their care. Further developmental work needs to be done on improving the ease of technology as well as availability of telemedicine in the care of women affected by pelvic floor disorders.

Urinary symptoms in women with faecal incontinence.

AIM: Faecal incontinence (FI) is estimated to affect 8.9% of women in the United States, with a significant impact on quality of life. Our aim was to compare urinary symptoms in patients with and without FI with different degrees of severity. METHODS: This prospective cohort of women presented for care at a pelvic floor disorder centre between May 2007 and January 2019. We excluded women with a history of bowel resection, prior history of pelvic organ prolapse surgery or existing prolapse symptoms reported by the patient during intake. The primary outcome was the presence of urinary symptoms in women with and without FI by validated questionnaires. A logistic regression model for association of urinary symptoms with FI was performed, adjusting for age, smoking, diabetes, prior hysterectomy and irritable bowel syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 2932 met inclusion criteria, and of these 1404 (47.89%) reported FI. In the univariate analysis, patients with FI were more likely to have urgency urinary incontinence (P = 0.01) or mixed urinary incontinence (P < 0.001), report nocturnal enuresis (P < 0.001) or have leakage of urine during sex (P < 0.001). In an adjusted model, FI was associated with concurrent stress (adjusted OR 1.28, P = 0.034), urgency (adjusted OR 1.52, P < 0.001) and mixed incontinence (adjusted OR 1.94, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In women with pelvic floor disorders, the presence of FI is associated with a higher prevalence of urinary incontinence. Pelvic floor specialists should assess urinary incontinence symptoms along with the presence and severity of FI to provide comprehensive care and guide appropriate therapy.

Association Between Hemoglobin A1c and Midurethral Sling Complications in Diabetic Women: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and midurethral sling (MUS) complications. METHODS: This was a multihospital, retrospective cohort study from 2010 to 2020. We included all women with diabetes mellitus who underwent a synthetic mesh MUS procedure and had a preoperative HbA1c within 3 months of surgery. The primary outcome was a composite of complications, including MUS mesh exposure, surgical site granulation tissue or infection, urinary tract infection, surgical site pain beyond 6 weeks postoperatively, and MUS failure. A sensitivity analysis analyzing MUS failure alone was performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 109 women met the inclusion criteria. Most were White (52.2%) and had a median body mass index of 31.2 kg/m2, and 84.9% were postmenopausal. Median HbA1c was 7.2% (interquartile range, 6.3%-7.7%). Urinary tract infection was the most common complication in 12 (11.0%) women. Mesh exposure was diagnosed in 7 (6.4%) women. Seventeen (15.6%) had MUS failure. On univariate regression analysis, a higher HbA1c was associated with increased odds of composite complications (odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-2.32; P = 0.002) and MUS failure (odds ratio, 1.81, 95% confidence interval, 1.26-2.60; P = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, higher HbA1c levels were associated with a composite of complications and failure (P < 0.05). Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, HbA1c greater than 8% demonstrated a specificity of 85.7% and a sensitivity of 50% for MUS failure. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients, a higher HbA1c was associated with a higher risk of MUS complications and failure. Obtaining an HbA1c within 3 months of surgery may help with risk stratification.

Evaluation of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy on Obstetrical Anal Sphincter Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate a short course of postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) on symptoms and quality of life after obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Adult women were eligible if they had a vaginal delivery complicated by OASIS and did not have a prior vaginal delivery after 24 weeks' gestation. Participants were randomized to standard care plus PFPT or standard care alone. The primary outcome was change in the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) at 12 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes included other validated questionnaires assessing pelvic floor symptoms and bother. RESULTS: We approached 89 eligible women; 50 were enrolled and randomized. We excluded 6 participants in the PFPT group and 1 in the standard care group who withdrew before study initiation or did not provide baseline data at 2 weeks postpartum. Thus, we analyzed 19 in the PFPT group and 24 in the standard care group. The groups were similar with regard to most baseline characteristics.The PFPT group reported significant improvement in pelvic floor symptoms and bother compared with the standard care group, reflected by a decrease of 29.2 (interquartile range = -58.3 to -4.2) compared with 0.0 (interquartile range = -14.6 to 20.8) on the PFDI-20 from 2 to 12 weeks postpartum (P = 0.002). Significant differences also were observed for all PFDI-20 subscales (all P ≤ 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: At 12 weeks postpartum, the PFPT group reported a significant improvement in pelvic floor symptoms and bother compared with the standard care group.

Professional Burnout Survey for Practicing Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout among active practicing members of the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS). METHODS: This was an anonymous electronic survey of AUGS nontrainee physician members. Basic demographic, personal, and professional characteristics were collected. Levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment, as defined by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, were utilized to categorize participants into burnout profiles and to determine 2 alternative burnout definitions. Descriptive statistics and models were used to summarize provider characteristics and to explore differences among the burnout profiles. RESULTS: Of the 1039 active members of AUGS, 280 (26.9%) responded to the survey. Burnout profiles were delineated using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey. Forty-three percent fit the Engaged profile, whereas 13% fit the Burnout profile. Significant differences were seen in the distribution of the burnout profiles for physicians who take call (P=0.015), have a current mentor (P=0.016), screen positive for major depression (P < 0.001), experience suicidal ideation (P=0.018), have a feeling of control regarding their schedule (P < 0.001) and those who would become a physician again (P < 0.001). The overall rate of burnout in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery providers was significantly different depending on the definition utilized (P < 0.01) and ranged from as low as 6.5% to as high as 51.9%. CONCLUSIONS: There were some differences in respondent characteristics seen among the burnout profiles. The chosen definition of burnout significantly affected the purported rate of burnout, complicating comparisons among provider populations.

Updates in treating fecal incontinence in women.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fecal incontinence is a chronic condition that can significantly affect a woman's quality of life. The pathogenesis of fecal incontinence is multifaceted and management ranges from supportive care, medical therapy to more invasive surgical procedures. This review will discuss the recent advancements in treating fecal incontinence. RECENT FINDINGS: The pelvic floor disorder consortium has created a consensus document with recommendations on pelvic floor symptom measurement tools, patient-reported instruments, and questionnaires that should be used when evaluating fecal incontinence. There is new robust data reinforcing the importance of conservative management prior to proceeding with more invasive treatment. Lastly, several novel therapies that were developed in the past decade now have longer term data on safety and efficacy. SUMMARY: Management of fecal incontinence is challenging, as no one therapy has been proven to be predominately effective. We should continue to first optimize patients with conservative therapy followed by induction of more advanced therapies. There needs to be continued efforts to develop and evaluate effective treatment guidelines and therapies for fecal incontinence.

Presacral Anatomy in Women With a Horseshoe Kidney.

OBJECTIVE: Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is the most common renal fusion defect that can alter vascular and upper urinary tract anatomy. Anatomic variations in the presacral space can make surgical dissection very challenging. The aim of this study was to characterize presacral anatomy in women with HSK. METHODS: Large academic centers' database was queried to identify imaging studies in adult women with HSK. Available multiplanar computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging images were reviewed, and relevant vascular and upper urinary tract anatomy was measured and compared with published normal values. Study population was compared with the normal controls using Student t test, χ test, or Fisher exact test as appropriate. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight women were identified initially, and 20 confirmed to have HSK on imaging. The mean ± SD age was 54.5 ± 16.9 years, and body mass index was 27.3 ± 7.5 kg/m. Women with HSK had a narrower angle of aortic bifurcation (39.1 ± 18.7 degrees vs 55.6 ± 4.5 degrees, P = 0.014); the right ureter was closer to midline (22.9 ± 8.8 mm vs 32.3 ± 1.2 mm, P < 0.001) when compared with normal controls anatomy. In 40% of women with HSK, the bifurcation of the vena cava was below the level of L5 in contrast to the 8% in the normal population (P < 0.001). In 60% of women with HSK, the inferior pole of the kidney was at or below L5. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral, renal, and vascular anatomic alterations in women with HSK may make presacral surgical anatomy challenging by obscuring the anterior longitudinal ligament anchoring point. Preoperative imaging is warranted to determine the feasibility of female pelvic reconstructive surgery in HSK patients.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of onabotulinumtoxin A trigger point injections for myofascial pelvic pain.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic pain is estimated to effect 15% of women, and onabotulinumtoxin A is used to treat a variety of pain disorders. However, the data on the use of onabotulinumtoxin A for the treatment of women with myofascial pelvic pain are limited. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the effect of onabotulinumtoxin A vs placebo injections to the pelvic floor muscles in women with myofascial pelvic pain. STUDY DESIGN: This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in women with myofascial pelvic pain. Women ≥18 years were eligible if they reported pain ≥6 on a 10 point visual analog scale ≥50% of the time and had pain on palpation ≥6 on the visual analog scale in ≥1 of 6 pelvic floor muscle groups. Participants were randomly allocated to a pelvic floor injection of 200 units of onabotulinumtoxin A or 20 mL of saline. All participants started 8 weeks of physical therapy 4 weeks after the injection. Participants completed validated questionnaires at baseline, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after injection. At each visit, a urogynecologist who was blinded to treatment arm performed a clinical examination with palpation of the left and right sides of 6 pelvic floor muscle groups. The primary outcome was change in participant-reported pain on palpation of the most painful pelvic floor muscle at 2 weeks. Analyses were intention to treat. RESULTS: We consented 60 women. One participant was lost to follow-up after she was consented; therefore, we randomized 59 women. The groups had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. With regard to the primary outcome, there was no significant difference between the intervention and placebo groups in the change in participant-reported pain on palpation of the most painful pelvic floor muscle at 2 weeks. There were no significant differences in participant-reported pain on palpation for any muscle group at 4 or 12 weeks. At 4 and 12 weeks, participants in the intervention group reported greater declines in overall pelvic pain on the visual analog scale compared with the placebo group, although these differences were not statistically significant (both P = .16). Using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement index, participants in the intervention group were more likely to report their symptoms were improved at 4 and 12 weeks compared with the placebo group, although this difference was significant only at 4 weeks (P = .03 and P = .10, respectively). At 2 weeks, the placebo group had a significant improvement in the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory score compared with the intervention group (P = .01); however, this difference did not persist at 4 (P = .19) or 12 weeks (P = .11). At 2 weeks, the most common adverse event was constipation in the intervention and placebo groups, with 10.1% reporting de novo constipation. This was followed by urinary incontinence in the intervention group (22%) and urinary tract infection (9%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor onabotulinumtoxin A injections for myofascial pelvic pain were not more effective than saline injections at decreasing muscle pain on palpation. Despite this, participants who received onabotulinumtoxin A were more likely than those who received saline to report improvement, albeit not statistically significant, in their overall pelvic floor pain at 4 and 12 weeks.

Comparing postoperative voiding dysfunction after mid-urethral sling using either a Babcock or Kelly clamp tensioning technique.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to compare postoperative urinary retention using the Babcock and Kelly clamps for retropubic midurethral sling (RPS) tensioning. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort of isolated RPS procedures from December 2010 through April 2016 by five fellowship-trained surgeons at two institutions. Slings were tensioned with a Babcock clamp by grasping a 3-mm midline fold of mesh (RPS-B) or a Kelly clamp as a spacer between the sling and suburethral tissue (RPS-K). Assessment of urinary retention included the primary outcome of postoperative catheterization and several secondary outcomes, including discharge home with a catheter, within 1 year of surgery. Analysis of covariance was used to compute the mean difference in duration of catheterization and log-binomial regression was used to calculate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: We included 240 patients. The RPS-B group had a lower body mass index and was more likely to be menopausal, have had pelvic organ prolapse surgery, and have a lower maximum urethral closure pressure than the RPS-K group. The mean duration of catheterization was similar, as demonstrated by the crude (0.21 days [-0.30-0.71]) and BMI-adjusted (0.07 days [-0.41-0.55]) mean difference in duration of catheterization. The incidence of postoperative OAB symptoms was comparable between the groups (BMI-adjusted RR: 0.95 (0.80-1.1)), and the incidence of revision did not differ (p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: The Babcock and Kelly clamp tensioning techniques appear comparable, with a low incidence of prolonged postoperative catheterization. Most catheters were removed on the day of the surgery. It is reasonable to tension retropubic midurethral slings with either method.

Prevalence of occult pre-malignant or malignant pathology at the time of uterine morcellation for benign disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of occult pre-malignant or malignant uterine pathology at the time of laparoscopic surgery with open power morcellation for benign gynecologic disease. METHODS: The present multicenter, retrospective cohort study included women who underwent open power morcellation for benign indications between January 1, 2007, and February 28, 2014, at three academic medical centers in the USA. The primary outcome was pre-malignant or malignant pathology at the time of open power morcellation, and was determined from the patients' pathology reports. RESULTS: During the study period, 1214 women underwent open power morcellation for benign indications. Similar preoperative characteristics were observed between patients with normal pathology and those with pre-malignant or malignant uterine pathology, including body mass index, parity, hypertension, diabetes, breast cancer, and smoking (all P>0.129). Among patients who underwent open power morcellation, 14 (1.2%) had occult pre-malignant or malignant pathology; 5 (0.4%) women had endometrial adenocarcinoma and 1 (0.1%) had low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. There were eight patients with malignant pathology who underwent additional surgical exploration and were disease free at their final clinical visit, with a median follow-up time of 42.0 months (interquartile range 5.0-62.0 months). CONCLUSION: Endometrial adenocarcinoma and low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma were rare in the present study and there were no reports of leiomyosarcoma.

Social networking and Internet use among pelvic floor patients: a multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND: Internet resources are becoming increasingly important for patients seeking medical knowledge. It is imperative to understand patient use and preferences for using the Internet and social networking websites to optimize patient education. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate social networking and Internet use among women with pelvic floor complaints to seek information for their conditions as well as describe the likelihood, preferences, and predictors of website usage. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study of women presenting to clinical practices of 10 female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship programs across the United States, affiliated with the Fellows' Pelvic Research Network. New female patients presenting with pelvic floor complaints, including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence were eligible. Participants completed a 24 item questionnaire designed by the authors to assess demographic information, general Internet use, preferences regarding social networking websites, referral patterns, and resources utilized to learn about their pelvic floor complaints. Internet use was quantified as high (≥4 times/wk), moderate (2-3 times/wk), or minimal (≤1 time/wk). Means were used for normally distributed data and medians for data not meeting this assumption. Fisher's exact and χ2 tests were used to evaluate the associations between variables and Internet use. RESULTS: A total of 282 surveys were analyzed. The majority of participants, 83.3%, were white. The mean age was 55.8 years old. Referrals to urogynecology practices were most frequently from obstetrician/gynecologists (39.9%) and primary care providers (27.8%). Subjects were well distributed geographically, with the largest representation from the South (38.0%). Almost one third (29.9%) were most bothered by prolapse complaints, 22.0% by urgency urinary incontinence, 20.9% by stress urinary incontinence, 14.9% by urgency/frequency symptoms, and 4.1% by fecal incontinence. The majority, 75.0%, described high Internet use, whereas 8.5% moderately and 4.8% minimally used the Internet. Women most often used the Internet for personal motivations including medical research (76.4%), and 42.6% reported Google to be their primary search engine. Despite this, only 4.9% primarily used the Internet to learn about their pelvic floor condition, more commonly consulting an obstetrician-gynecologist for this information (39.4%). The majority (74.1%) held a social networking account, and 45.9% visited these daily. Nearly half, 41.7%, expressed the desire to use social networking websites to learn about their condition. Women <65 years old were significantly more likely to have high Internet use (83.4% vs 68.8%, P = .018) and to desire using social networking websites to learn about their pelvic floor complaint (P = .008). The presenting complaint was not associated with Internet use (P = .905) or the desire to use social networking websites to learn about pelvic floor disorders (P = .201). CONCLUSION: Women presenting to urogynecology practices have high Internet use and a desire to learn about their conditions via social networking websites. Despite this, obstetrician-gynecologists remain a common resource for information. Nonetheless, urogynecology practices and national organizations would likely benefit from increasing their Internet resources for patient education in pelvic floor disorders, though patients should be made aware of available resources.

Voiding trial outcome following pelvic floor repair without incontinence procedures.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to identify predictors of postoperative voiding trial failure among patients who had a pelvic floor repair without a concurrent incontinence procedure in order to identify low-risk patients in whom postoperative voiding trials may be modified. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent pelvic floor repair without concurrent incontinence procedures at two institutions from 1 November 2011 through 13 October 2013 after abstracting demographic and clinical data from medical records. The primary outcome was postoperative retrograde voiding trial failure. We used modified Poisson regression to calculate the risk ratio (RR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Of the 371 women who met eligibility criteria, 294 (79.2 %) had complete data on the variables of interest. Forty nine (16.7 %) failed the trial, and those women were less likely to be white (p = 0.04), more likely to have had an anterior colporrhaphy (p = 0.001), and more likely to have had a preoperative postvoid residual (PVR) ≥150 ml (p = 0.001). After adjusting for race, women were more likely to fail their voiding trial if they had a preoperative PVR of ≥150 ml (RR: 1.9; 95 % CI: 1.1-3.2); institution also was associated with voiding trial failure (RR: 3.0; 95 % CI: 1.6-5.4). CONCLUSIONS: Among our cohort, postoperative voiding trial failure was associated with a PVR of ≥150 ml and institution at which the surgery was performed.

Cost utility of the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the cost utility of nonsurgical versus surgical treatments for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A decision analysis model was created to compare nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for women with SUI. Decision paths included conservative management, pelvic floor physical therapy (pelvic floor muscle training [PFMT]), PFMT with electrical stimulation, incontinence pessary, and surgical treatment. A Markov model cohort analysis was performed with a cycle length of 1 year starting at age 45 years with a lifetime horizon. Probabilities, success rates, and utilities were obtained from the literature when available or by expert opinion. Cost-utility analysis was performed using US recommendations from a societal perspective. Cost data were obtained from Medicare reimbursement in 2012 US dollars. RESULTS: Incontinence pessary was the most cost-effective treatment option with a cost of $11,411 for 18.9 quality-adjusted life years. At a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of $50,000, incontinence pessary remained the most cost-effective treatment option. At a WTP threshold of $60,000, surgery became the most cost-effective treatment option. The PFMT and PFMT with electrical stimulation were dominated at any WTP threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical correction is likely the most cost-effective treatment option for young healthy women with SUI. Results are driven by the high success rate of minimally invasive slings. More studies are needed to define utility values for heath states experienced by women with SUI. This will enhance our ability to develop more accurate cost-utility models and offer the best treatment for women affected by incontinence.

Atypical presentation of a vaginal epithelial inclusion cyst.

Vaginal masses can have numerous different presentations and causes. Physicians can often make an empiric diagnosis of these masses on the basis of their clinical presentation and location. Most of these diagnoses are correct, with the rare exception of the occasional urethral diverticulum or hydrocele. In this case report, we discuss the initial diagnosis of a suspected infected Bartholin gland duct cyst that was in fact a 10 × 8 × 7.5-cm epithelial inclusion cyst that extended through the ischiorectal fossa and down to the gluteal region, requiring extensive dissection. Also presented is a detailed description of the anatomical landmarks encountered at dissection through the vaginal sidewall and ischiorectal fossa.