The bladder microbiome and interstitial cystitis: is there a connection?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is a debilitating condition, the etiology of which remains unclear and for which there are variable and often unsatisfactory treatment options. Within the last decade, evolving knowledge regarding the presence and role of the urinary microbiome has led to investigations regarding its impact on symptoms and severity of interstitial cystitis PBS. RECENT FINDINGS: Since 2017, five studies have investigated differences between the microbiome of female patients with interstitial cystitis /PBS to asymptomatic controls. While varied in methodology, specifically with regard to urine collection processing and microbial detection, the majority of studies (4/5) found no association between urinary microbiota and interstitial cystitis /PBS. SUMMARY: Research regarding the role of the urinary microbiome and lower urinary tract function and dysfunction, including interstitial cystitis /BPS, remains in preliminary stages. While data regarding the role of lactobacillus in lower urinary tract homeostasis is inconclusive, further research is warranted.

Treat or Wait? Natural Perioperative Course of Overactive Bladder Symptoms at the Time of Midurethral Sling Placement.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to describe the perioperative course of untreated overactive bladder (OAB) (urinary frequency [UF] and urgency urinary incontinence [UUI]) before and after isolated retropubic midurethral sling (MUS) and to identify the time point for spontaneous OAB symptom improvement in the most patients. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of women undergoing an isolated MUS. Women completed the Urogenital Distress Inventory 6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7 preoperatively and weekly for 13 weeks postoperatively. Bothersome UF and UUI were defined as a response of "moderately" or "greatly" bothered on questions 1 and 2 of the Urogenital Distress Inventory. The treatment for OAB was deferred until 13 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-four women were included with a mean ± SD age of 48 ± 9 years. Preoperatively, 41% of women reported both bothersome UF and UUI. Six weeks after surgery, only 15% and 6% reported bothersome UF and UUI (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Between 6 and 13 weeks, percentages of bothersome symptoms remained low (11.7% UF and 5.8% UUI). In addition, the impact of these urinary symptoms on activities, relationships, and feelings became consistently negligible (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7 median score <1) at 5 weeks postoperatively. Only 3 women desired treatment for UUI after the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Overactive bladder is common before and immediately after MUS. However, the majority of patients have spontaneous symptom resolution by 6 weeks after surgery; it may be reasonable to discontinue preoperatively initiated overactive bladder treatment or defer starting treatment until this time point.

Prevalence of Screening High Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Urogynecology Patients.

OBJECTIVES: There is limited knowledge on the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among urogynecology patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of screening high risk of OSA (HR-OSA) in an ambulatory urogynecology clinic. METHODS: Women presenting for a new patient visit to a single outpatient urogynecology clinic for any indication were screened for eligibility. Patients were included if they were 18 years or older, English speaking, nonpregnant, and not using treatment for OSA. Participants completed the STOP-BANG questionnaire to screen for OSA and additional questionnaires to assess the presence and classification of nocturia and urinary incontinence. RESULTS: Among 130 participants, the prevalence of screening HR-OSA was 38.5%. Characteristics associated with screening HR-OSA included hypertension (P < 0.001), diabetes (P=0.003), untreated sleep apnea (P < 0.001), body mass index ≥30 kg/m (P < 0.001), and age >50 years (P < 0.001). Participants who screened HR-OSA were more likely to have bothersome bladder symptoms of nocturia (P < 0.001), nocturnal enuresis (P < 0.001), higher urinary distress inventory scores (P < 0.001), and incontinence severity index scores (P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, age >50 years (odds ratio [OR], 7.54), hypertension (OR, 4.04), body mass index ≥30 kg/m (OR, 3.98), and nocturial enuresis (OR, 2.26) remained significantly associated with screening HR-OSA. Average time to complete the STOP-BANG was 1.2 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OSA among urogynecology patients is high, and screening is not time prohibitive. Patients who screen HR-OSA have more bothersome bladder symptoms. Providers should consider screening urogynecology patients for OSA, especially patients who are 50 years or older, are obese, and have nocturnal enuresis.

Activity Restriction Recommendations and Outcomes After Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between prescribed postoperative activity recommendations (liberal compared with restricted) after reconstructive prolapse surgery and patient satisfaction and pelvic floor symptoms. METHODS: In our multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, women undergoing reconstructive prolapse surgery were randomized to liberal compared with restricted postoperative activity recommendations. Liberal recommendations instructed women to resume postoperative activity at the woman's own pace with no restrictions on lifting or high-impact activities. Conversely, restricted recommendations instructed women to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 3 months. The primary outcome, patient satisfaction, was assessed on a 5-point Likert scale at 3 months postoperatively with the question, "How satisfied are you with the result of your prolapse surgery?" Secondary outcomes included anatomic outcomes and pelvic floor symptoms. RESULTS: From September 2014 to December 2015, 130 women were screened and 108 were randomized. Ultimately, 95 were allocated to study intervention (n=45 liberal, n=50 restricted) and completed the primary outcome. Baseline characteristics (including pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage and demographics) and surgical intervention did not differ between groups. Most women underwent a minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (58) followed by vaginal suspension (27) or vaginal closure procedures (nine). Rates of satisfaction were similarly high in the liberal and restricted recommendations groups (98% compared with 94%, odds ratio 0.36 [0.036-3.55], P=.619). Anatomic outcomes did not differ between groups; however, fewer pelvic floor symptoms were reported in the liberal group. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction was equally high 3 months after prolapse surgery in women who were instructed to liberally resume activities compared with those instructed to restrict postoperative activities. Women who liberally resumed their activities reported fewer prolapse and urinary symptoms and had similar short-term anatomic outcomes suggesting that allowing women to resume their normal activities postoperatively may result in improved pelvic floor outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02138487.

Urinary Microbiome and Cytokine Levels in Women With Interstitial Cystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in the urinary microbiome and cytokine levels between women with and without interstitial cystitis and to correlate differences with scores on standardized symptom severity scales and depression and anxiety screening tools. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study compared women presenting to a pelvic floor clinic and diagnosed with interstitial cystitis over a 6-month period with age-matched women in a control group from the same institution. Participants provided a catheterized urine sample and completed symptom severity, quality-of-life, depression, and anxiety screening questionnaires. Urinary microbiomes generated through bacterial ribosomal RNA sequencing and cytokine levels were analyzed using a standard immunoassay. Nonparametric analyses were used for all comparisons. RESULTS: Participants with interstitial cystitis reported more disability, bothersome urinary symptoms, genitourinary pain, and sexual dysfunction and scored higher on depression and anxiety screens compared with women in the control group. The urine of participants with interstitial cystitis contained fewer distinct operational taxonomic units (2 [median range 2-7, interquartile range 1] compared with 3.5 [median, range 2-22, interquartile range 5.25], P=.015) and was less likely to contain Lactobacillus acidophilus (1/14 [7%] compared with 7/18 [39%], P=.05) compared with women in the control group. L acidophilus was associated with less severe scores on the Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (1 [median, range 0-17, interquartile range 5] compared with 10 [median, range 0-14, interquartile range 11], P=.005) and the Genitourinary Pain Index (0 [median, range 0-42, interquartile range 22] compared with 22.5 [median, range 0-40, interquartile range 28], P=.03). Participants with interstitial cystitis demonstrated higher levels of macrophage-derived chemokine (13.32 [median, range 8.93-17.05, interquartile range 15.86] compared with 0 [median, range 8.93-22.67, interquartile range 10.35], P=.037) and interleukin-4 (1.95 [median, range 1.31-997, interquartile range 11.84] compared with 1.17 [median, range 0.44-3.26, interquartile range 1.51], P=.029). There was a positive correlation between interleukin-4 and more severe scores on the Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (r=0.406, P=.013). No associations between the presence of lactobacillus species and cytokine levels were observed. CONCLUSION: The urinary microbiome of participants with interstitial cystitis was less diverse, less likely to contain Lactobacillus species, and associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines. It is unknown whether this represents causality and whether the effect of alterations to the urinary microbiome is mediated through an inflammatory response.

Retention of laparoscopic and robotic skills among medical students: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although simulation training beneficially contributes to traditional surgical training, there are less objective data on simulation skills retention. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the retention of laparoscopic and robotic skills after simulation training. METHODS: We present the second stage of a randomized single-blinded controlled trial in which 40 simulation-naïve medical students were randomly assigned to practice peg transfer tasks on either laparoscopic (N = 20, Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery, Venture Technologies Inc., Waltham, MA) or robotic (N = 20, dV-Trainer, Mimic, Seattle, WA) platforms. In the first stage, two expert surgeons evaluated participants on both tasks before (Stage 1: Baseline) and immediately after training (Stage 1: Post-training) using a modified validated global rating scale of laparoscopic and robotic operative performance. In Stage 2, participants were evaluated on both tasks 11-20 weeks after training. RESULTS: Of the 40 students who participated in Stage 1, 23 (11 laparoscopic and 12 robotic) underwent repeat evaluation. During Stage 2, there were no significant differences between groups in objective or subjective measures for the laparoscopic task. Laparoscopic-trained participants' performances on the laparoscopic task were improved during Stage 2 compared to baseline measured by time to task completion, but not by the modified global rating scale. During the robotic task, the robotic-trained group demonstrated superior economy of motion (p = .017), Tissue Handling (p = .020), and fewer errors (p = .018) compared to the laparoscopic-trained group. Robotic skills acquisition from baseline with no significant deterioration as measured by modified global rating scale scores was observed among robotic-trained participants during Stage 2. CONCLUSION: Robotic skills acquired through simulation appear to be better maintained than laparoscopic simulation skills. CLINICAL TRIAL: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02370407).

Laparoscopic and robotic skills are transferable in a simulation setting: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although surgical simulation provides an effective supplement to traditional training, it is not known whether skills are transferable between minimally invasive surgical modalities. The purpose of this study was to assess the transferability of skills between minimally invasive surgical simulation platforms among simulation-naïve participants. METHODS: Forty simulation-naïve medical students were enrolled in this randomized single-blinded controlled trial. Participants completed a baseline evaluation on laparoscopic (Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Program, Los Angeles, CA) and robotic (dV-Trainer, Mimic, Seattle, WA) simulation peg transfer tasks. Participants were then randomized to perform a practice session on either the robotic (N = 20) or laparoscopic (N = 20) simulator. Two blinded, expert minimally invasive surgeons evaluated participants before and after training using a modified previously validated subjective global rating scale. Objective measures including time to task completion and Mimic dV-Trainer motion metrics were also recorded. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the training groups as measured by objective and subjective measures for either simulation task. After training, participants randomized to the laparoscopic practice group completed the laparoscopic task faster (p < 0.003) and with higher global rating scale scores (p < 0.001) than the robotic group. Robotic-trained participants performed the robotic task faster (p < 0.001), with improved economy of motion (p < 0.001), and with higher global rating scale scores (p = 0.006) than the laparoscopic group. The robotic practice group also demonstrated significantly improved performance on the laparoscopic task (p = 0.02). Laparoscopic-trained participants also improved their robotic performance (p = 0.02), though the robotic group had a higher percent improvement on the robotic task (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Skills acquired through practice on either laparoscopic or robotic simulation platforms appear to be transferable between modalities. However, participants demonstrate superior skill in the modality in which they specifically train.

Outcomes in 450 Women After Minimally Invasive Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes and complications in approximately 450 women who underwent isolated minimally invasive abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) for the management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of women who underwent minimally invasive ASC (laparoscopic ASC [LASC] or robotic ASC [RASC]) for symptomatic POP at Loyola University Chicago Medical Center from 2007 to 2012. Polypropylene mesh was used and the decision to reperitonealize the mesh was left to surgeon discretion. Data collected included demographics, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory questionnaire, intraoperative and postoperative details, and POP quantification. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-eight women underwent minimally invasive ASC-232 LASC and 226 RASC. Most women (86%) did not undergo reperitonealization of the mesh. Median follow-up was 13 weeks (range, 2-268 weeks) for complications and 13 weeks (range, 2-104 weeks) for anatomic outcomes.Postoperatively, 88.6% of women had stage 0/I, 10.7% had stage II, and 2 women had stage III POP. Twelve (2.6%) underwent reoperation, 6 for POP (3 posterior repairs, 2 repeat ASC, 1 perineorrhaphy) and 6 for bowel complications. Fourteen women had postoperative bowel complications; half of which resolved with conservative treatment. There were no differences between anatomic and functional outcomes or bowel complications between LASC and RASC. Reoperation rates for bowel complications in women who underwent reperitonealization of the mesh were similar to those who did not (1.5% vs 1.0%, P = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive ASC without concomitant vaginal repair is an effective and safe procedure for the surgical management of POP with low rates of reoperation and complications.

Does Side Make a Difference? Anatomical Differences Between the Left and Right Ureter.

OBJECTIVES: Seventy to eighty percent of iatrogenic ureteral injuries involve the left ureter. We sought to evaluate potential anatomical differences between the left and right ureters that may contribute to this discrepancy. METHODS: A retrospective image review was undertaken of women who underwent computed tomography urograms between 2012 and 2013. The distance to the ureters from the midline was measured at the level of the sacral promontory (S1) and the cervix. Cervical deviation from the midline was measured, and distance between the cervix and ureters was calculated. The anterior-posterior distance between ureters was also measured. RESULTS: Ninety-five computed tomography urograms were analyzed. The mean age was 56 years (range, 23-92 years). Mean cervical deviation was 2.9 mm left of the midline (P = 0.028). The left ureter was 4.2 mm more lateral than the right at S1 and 2.7 mm more lateral at the cervix (P = 0.000 and 0.001). There was no significant difference when accounting for cervical deviation (P = 0.220). The left ureter was 1.9 mm more anterior than the right at the cervix (P = 0.012). Age, body mass index, and ethnicity did not affect the ureteral position. CONCLUSIONS: Based on midline measurements, the left ureter courses 2 to 4 mm more lateral and anterior than does the right ureter. The cervix is also positioned 2 to 4 mm to the left side, and as a result, the ureters are actually symmetric to the cervix. Although seemingly small, 2 to 4 mm is the width range of a Heaney clamp. These anatomic differences may be a contributing factor to the increase in ureteral injuries on the left side compared with the right.

Colpocleisis: a safe, minimally invasive option for pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the morbidity and mortality associated with colpocleisis and factors associated with improved outcomes. METHODS: We used University HealthSystem Consortium database, which included inpatient data from US hospitals. We included all women who underwent colpocleisis from 2002 to 2012. Centers were categorized geographically and by annual case volume. Cases were grouped by age and provider specialty. Outcome and readmission data from participating hospitals were compared between groups by analysis of variance and Tukey statistics. Average length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate, complication rate, mortality rate, and readmission rate were calculated for each hospital and compared. RESULTS: Colpocleisis procedures (4776) were performed at 145 US medical centers. Forty-three percent of procedures were done on women older than 80 years, 52% on women 60 to 79 years, 3% on women 40 to 59 years, and 0.9% on women 20 to 39 years. Overall, rates of complications, ICU admission, and mortality were low with average rates of 6.82%, 2.80%, and 0.15%, respectively. High-volume centers had lower ICU admission and complications rates as well as a shorter LOS. Younger women had higher ICU admission and complication rates as well longer LOS. Stratification by provider specialty demonstrated higher ICU admission rates among cases performed by urologists as compared to cases performed by urogynecologists and general obstetrician-gynecologists. Complication rates were also higher among obstetrician-gynecologists and urologists as compared to urogynecologists. Length of stay was significantly longer when colpocleisis was performed by urologists rather than a urogynecologists. CONCLUSIONS: Colpocleisis is a safe minimally invasive procedure and outcomes are influenced by provider specialty and hospital volume.

Symptom resolution after operative management of complications from transvaginal mesh.

OBJECTIVE: Complications from transvaginal mesh placed for prolapse often require operative management. The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes of vaginal mesh removal. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients having surgery by the urogynecology group in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at our institution for a complication of transvaginal mesh placed for prolapse was performed. Demographics, presenting symptoms, surgical procedures, and postoperative symptoms were abstracted. Comparative statistics were performed using the χ or Fisher's exact test with significance at P<.05. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and April 2012, 90 patients had surgery for complications related to vaginal mesh and 84 had follow-up data. The most common presenting signs and symptoms were: mesh exposure, 62% (n=56); pain, 64% (n=58); and dyspareunia, 48% (n=43). During operative management, mesh erosion was encountered unexpectedly in a second area of the vagina in 5% (n=4), in the bladder in 1% (n=1), and in the bowel in 2% (n=2). After vaginal mesh removal, 51% (n=43) had resolution of all presenting symptoms. Mesh exposure was treated successfully in 95% of patients, whereas pain was only successfully treated in 51% of patients. CONCLUSION: Removal of vaginal mesh is helpful in relieving symptoms of presentation. Patients can be reassured that exposed mesh can almost always be successfully managed surgically, but pain and dyspareunia are only resolved completely in half of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Risk factors for lower urinary tract injury at the time of hysterectomy for benign reasons.

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors associated with lower urinary tract injury at the time of performing hysterectomy for benign indications. METHODS: We conducted a multi-center case-control study of women undergoing hysterectomy for benign disease. Cases were identified via ICD-9 codes for lower urinary tract injury at the time of hysterectomy from 2007 to 2011: controls were two subsequent hysterectomies following the index case in the same institution that did not have lower urinary tract injury. Logistic regression was used to perform univariate and multivariate comparisons between groups. RESULTS: At 7 centers, 135 cases and 270 controls were identified. Cases comprised 118 bladder injuries and 25 ureteral injuries; 8 women had both bladder and ureteral injury. Bladder injury was associated with a history of prior cesarean section OR 2.9 (95% CI 1.7-5), surgery by a general obstetrician and gynecologist OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-5.2), and total abdominal hysterectomy OR1.9 (95%CI 1.06-3.4). Ureteral injury was more likely among women who underwent laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) OR 10.4 (95%CI 2.3-46.6) and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) OR 4.7 (95% CI 1.4-15.6). CONCLUSION: Bladder injury at the time of benign hysterectomy is associated with a prior history of Cesarean section and TAH as well as surgery by generalist OB-GYN; ureteral injury is associated with LAVH and TAH.

Long-term patient satisfaction with michigan four-wall sacrospinous ligament suspension for prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patient satisfaction after Michigan four-wall sacrospinous ligament suspension for prolapse and identify factors associated with satisfaction. METHODS: Four hundred fifty-three patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with surgery and complete validated quality-of-life instruments. Postoperative support was extracted from the medical record and assessed when possible. Factors independently associated with patients who were "highly satisfied" were identified with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent (242/392) reported how satisfied they were 8.0±1.7 years later. Fifty-seven percent had failed prior prolapse surgery, and 56% had a preoperative prolapse 4 cm or greater beyond the hymen. Ninety percent were satisfied; 76% were "completely" or "very" satisfied and they were considered "highly satisfied" for analysis. Fourteen percent reporting being "moderately" satisfied and they were considered among those "less satisfied." Women with lower scores on the postoperative Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 were more likely to be "highly satisfied." Postoperative anatomic data were available for 67% (162/242) and vaginal support was observed at or above the hymen in 86%. Women with preoperative Baden Walker grade 3 or 4 prolapse were more likely than those with grade 2 prolapse to be "highly satisfied." Women with advanced postoperative prolapse (grade 3 or 4) were less likely and those with grade 2 support were as likely to be "highly satisfied" as those with grade 0 or 1 support. CONCLUSION: The Michigan four-wall sacrospinous ligament suspension is an anatomically effective approach to vault suspension with a high rate of long-term patient satisfaction. Postoperative vaginal support at the hymen does not negatively affect patient satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Where do we place the sacrocolpopexy stitch? A magnetic resonance imaging investigation.

OBJECTIVES: Sacrocolpopexy presacral sutures are placed at or slightly above the sacral promontory without knowledge of the location of intervertebral discs. We used magnetic resonance imaging to assess the anatomic relationship of the sacral promontory to intervertebral discs. METHODS: We reviewed spinal magnetic resonance images of women imaged at Loyola University Medical Center between January 2010 and February 2012. Sagittal T1 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence images of the lumbosacral spine were used to identify the promontory as the most prominent point where S1 intersected with the superior anatomic structures. All measurements were obtained at the midline of the spinal cord. RESULTS: The mean age of 73 study subjects was 59 years (range, 22-89 years). The promontory was an intervertebral disc in many women (53 [73%]); the remaining images confirmed a nondisc promontory at the superior aspect of S1 in 20 patients (27%). The distance between the promontory and the next bony structure (L5) was 13 mm (25th-75th interquartile range, 11-16). In women without disc at the promontory, the median distance between the promontory and the base of L5 disc was 1.29 mm (interquartile range, 1.1-2.2). The mean height of the disc was 13.3 mm (4.4-20.6 mm). Age was not associated with the most prominent structure (P = 0.2), nor was it correlated to disc height (P = 0.27, r = 0.13) or distance to L5 (P = 0.75, r = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Given the high proportion of women with an intervertebral disc at the promontory, suture placement strategies that avoid this location may avoid-reduce disc-related sequelae after sacrocolpopexy.