Randomized trial of graft materials in transobturator tape operation: biological versus synthetic.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of outside-in biological and synthetic transobturator tape (TOT) operation, including subjective and objective success rates, urodynamics, and quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients suffering from clinical and/or urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were randomized into biological material TOT (PELVILACE® TO) or synthetic material TOT (ALIGN®TO Urethral Support System) groups. Preoperative and at 1 year postoperative urogynecological symptom assessment, 1-h pad test, 4-day bladder diary, stress test, Q-tip test, and urodynamics were performed. For the evaluation of quality of life, the King's Health Questionnaire, Urogenital Distress Inventory-6, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7, and Prolapse Quality of Life were used. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding objective and subjective cure rates and quality of life. At 1-year follow-up, the subjective cure rate was 68 % in the biological material TOT and 70 % in the synthetic material TOT group. No perioperative complications developed. Groin pain developed in 2 patients in the biological TOT group and 1 patient had dehiscence in the periurethral incision, which healed with local estrogen. Two patients had transient urinary retention in the synthetic TOT group, 1 patient developed groin pain, and 1 patient had mesh erosion observed at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Transobturator tape with biological material in the management of SUI has a rate of success and patient satisfaction similar to those of synthetic material at 1-year follow-up. Studies with longer follow-up and larger cohorts are necessary to evaluate possible autolysis and degradation of biological slings and a possible reduction in efficacy over time.

Comparison of the effects of electrical stimulation and posterior tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.

AIM: To compare the effects of transvaginal electrical stimulation (ES) and posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). METHODS: Women applying with symptoms of urgency, frequency, and nocturia with or without incontinence and diagnosed with OAB were divided into an ES or PTNS group. Bladder diary, urodynamics, 1-hour pad test, and King's Health Questionnaire were performed before and after treatment. ES was applied for 20 min, 6-8 weeks with pulses of 10-50 Hz square waves at a 300-µs or 1-ms pulse duration and a maximal output current of 24-60 mA with 5-10 Hz frequency, three times per week. PTNS was applied for 30 min once a week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients received ES, 17 patients received PTNS. Pad test, urinary diary, and quality of life parameters after both treatments decreased significantly; the decrease in the ES group was greater. The number of patients who describe themselves as cured was higher in the ES group. CONCLUSION: PTNS and ES are both effective in the treatment of OAB with significant improvement in objective and subjective parameters. Objective results show no significant difference between the two groups; however, the number of patients who describe themselves as cured in the ES group was significantly higher.

Surgical removal of FIGO type 0 and 1 fibroids ameliorates the expression of endometrial proinflammatory transcription factors and receptivity modulators.

OBJECTIVE: To reveal whether hysteroscopic removal of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) types 0 and 1 fibroids makes any changes in the expression of homeobox genes (HOXA10, HOXA11), leukemia inhibitory factor, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB). DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: University-based in vitro fertilisation center. PATIENT(S): This study consisted of a total of 29 participants, 21 with FIGO types 0 and 1 fibroids and 8 with normal uterine cavity without fibroids. INTERVENTION(S): Patients in FIGO types 0 and 1 fibroids group underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy. The patients in the control group underwent laparoscopic tubal ligation. Endometrial cells were collected by flushing method from all participants before and 3 months after myomectomy. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect HOXA10, HOXA11, and LIF mRNA expressions in endometrial flushing samples. The relative expressions of homeobox and LIF mRNA were calculated with comparative ΔCt method. Endometrial NF-kB concentration was measured quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): To compare endometrial HOXA10, HOXA11, and LIF mRNA expressions as well as endometrial NF-kB concentration before and after myomectomy. RESULT(S): Premyomectomy NF-kB levels of type 0 (4.22 ± 1.02 ng/mL) and type 1 fibroid (6.44 ± 2.30 ng/mL) were significantly higher than the values of control group (0.54 ± 0.10 ng/mL). Surgical removal of type 0 and 1 fibroids resulted in a significant decrease in endometrial NF-kB levels (1.33 ± 0.02 ng/mL vs 1.65 ± 0.27 ng/mL, respectively). In type 0 fibroid group, after myomectomy, there was a 11.1-fold increase in HOXA10 mRNA, 4.23-fold in HOXA11 mRNA, and 7.63-fold in LIF mRNA. In the type 1 fibroid group, after myomectomy, there was a 16.3-fold increase in HOXA10 mRNA, 8.34-fold in HOXA11 mRNA, and 9.38-fold in LIF mRNA. A nonsignificant change was detected in homeobox and LIF mRNA after tubal sterilization. A negative and significant correlation was found between endometrial NF-kB and HOXA10 (r=-0.67), HOXA11 (r=-0.71) and LIF (r=-0.54). CONCLUSION(S): High proinflammatory NF-kB concentration and low homeobox and LIF mRNA expressions were detected in the presence of type 0 or 1 fibroids that returned to normal values after hysteroscopic myomectomy.

The effects of posterior tibial nerve stimulation on refractory overactive bladder syndrome and bladder circulation.

AIM: We aimed to evaluate if posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) exerts its effects on overactive bladder symptoms through changes in bladder circulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen women who applied to Istanbul Medical Faculty with symptoms of urgency, frequency±urge incontinence and did not respond to anticholinergic treatment and behavioral modification were enrolled in the study. Weekly PTNS in 30-min sessions for 12 weeks was performed. Urogynecologic symptom assessment, 1-h pad test, bladder diary, King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), and transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Ten patients (55.5%) were cured, five (27.8%) improved, and no effect was observed in three (16.7%). No significant change was observed in systolic and diastolic flow rate, pulsatility index, resistive index, systolic/diastolic ratio and average flow rate. Significant decrease in frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, pad test results and increase in fluid intake was observed. There was a significant improvement in physical limitations and sleeping/energy domains of KHQ. No significant change was observed in urodynamics. CONCLUSIONS: PTNS does not have any effect on the bladder circulation despite positive effects on bladder diary, pad test, and quality of life in overactive bladder syndrome.

Comparison of complication rates after transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte pick-up procedures with respect to ovarian response.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the complication rates of oocyte pick-up (OPU) procedures via transvaginal ultrasonography in patients with different levels of ovarian reserve. METHODS: In total, 789 patients who underwent OPU procedures for in vitro fertilization (IVF) were included in the study. RESULTS: Individuals with normal ovarian reserve had a 2.947-fold higher risk of complications in OPU procedures than individuals with low ovarian reserve, and individuals with high ovarian reserve had a 7.448-fold higher risk of complications than individuals with low ovarian reserve. In addition, a higher number of IVF trials was associated with an increased risk of complications. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that OPU has a higher risk of complications, particularly severe pain, in patients with high ovarian reserve. It is thought that complications can be reduced by preferring mild stimulation in patients with high ovarian reserve. Collecting fewer oocytes is also associated with a lower risk of complications from OPU. Even if a patient's reserve is very good, fewer and higher-quality oocytes should be targeted with the use of the lowest possible dose of drugs.