Mesh complications after total vs supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy at time of minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our objective was to compare mesh exposure rates (4 months and 1 year) after total (TLH) vs supracervical (SLH) laparoscopic hysterectomy at time of minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (SCP). Secondary outcomes included 30-day complications and midurethral mesh exposure rates. METHODS: This a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care referral center from 2011 to 2018. Subjects were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Demographics, operative characteristics, and perioperative complications were abstracted from medical records. RESULTS: Four hundred three women met the inclusion criteria: 91 SLH+SCP and 312 TLH+SCP. Median follow-up was 52 weeks with an overall mesh exposure rate of 1.5%. Follow-up was available for 90% of patients at 4 months and 51% at 1 year. Half of patients had lightweight mesh (n = 203), and half had ultralightweight mesh (n = 200). Vaginal mesh fixation was performed with permanent suture in 86% (n = 344) and delayed absorbable suture in 14% (n = 56) of patients. At 4 months, vaginal mesh exposure rates did not differ between groups (0% SLH vs 1% TLH, p = 1.00). All mesh exposures in the study period occurred with lightweight mesh in the TLH arm. No differences were noted in 1-year mesh exposure rates, 30-day perioperative complications (p = 0.57), or midurethral mesh exposure rates at 4 months (p = 0.35) and 1 year (p = 1.00) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term mesh exposure following SCP with ultralightweight and lightweight polypropylene mesh is rare regardless of type of hysterectomy and much lower than reported in earlier studies with heavier weight mesh. These data suggest TLH at the time of SCP is a safe option in appropriately counseled patients.

Sex Differences in Commercial Patient Reviews of Women and Men Urogynecologic Surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe differences in commercial patient reviews of women and men urogynecologic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reviews of surgeons on Healthgrades.com in 4 metropolitan areas were included. Based on the qualitative assessment using qualitative content analysis of major and minor elements, we defined 4 theme categories: global experience, social interaction, technical skills, and ancillary aspects, each embedded with discrete elements. Differences in proportions of mentioned themes as well as quantitative ratings were evaluated by sex with the appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-four patient reviews (51% for women surgeons and 49% for men surgeons) were identified for 141 gynecologic surgeons self-identifying as "urogynecologists." The majority of the cohort (77%) held subspecialty certification in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Reviews of women demonstrated a lower mean quantitative "likelihood to recommend" score compared with men (4.0 vs 4.3, P = 0.002) on the 5-point scale. Women received more mention in comfort (52% vs 40%, P = 0.023) and professionalism (19% vs 9%, P = 0.007) themes and less mention with respect to surgical outcomes (28% vs 53%, P < 0.001) and technical skills (5% vs 15%, P = 0.011) compared with men. CONCLUSIONS: Commercial online patient reviews for urogynecologic surgeons reveal sex bias with women receiving lower scores overall and more comments related to social interaction and fewer comments related to surgical outcomes and technical skill compared with men.

Safety of Abdominoplasty with Concomitant Abdominal or Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: An ACS NSQIP Study.

BACKGROUND: To compare 30-day postoperative complications following abdominoplasty with and without concomitant hysterectomy. Our secondary objective was to compare outcomes following abdominoplasty by route of hysterectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database from 2014 to 2018. We included women who underwent abdominoplasty alone (ABP) and abdominoplasty with concomitant hysterectomy (ABP+Hyst). The ABP+Hyst group included both abdominal hysterectomy (ABP+AH) and minimally invasive hysterectomy (ABP+MIH). RESULTS: Analysis included 9064 women of whom 2.4% had ABP+Hyst (216 ABP+AH and 53 ABP+MIH). Both ABP and ABP+Hyst had similar 30-day postoperative complication rates (11.5% vs. 14.1%, p=.22). Patients with ABP+Hyst had a longer length of hospital stay when compared to ABP alone [2 days (IQR 1-2) vs. 1 day (IQR 0-2), p<.001). Operating time was longer in ABP+Hyst by 76 minutes (p<.001). In a multivariable logistic regression model controlling for age, race, BMI, ASA class, smoking status, hysterectomy, operative time, and major medical comorbidity, concomitant hysterectomy was not associated with increased odds of 30-day postoperative complications. Both ABP+AH and ABP+MIH had low 30-day complication rates (15.3% vs. 9.4%, p=.273). However, ABP+MIH had a 38 minute longer median operating time (p=.008) but with a shorter length of stay by 1 day (p<.001). CONCLUSION: Concomitant hysterectomy at the time of abdominoplasty was not associated with an increase in complications during the first 30-days after surgery regardless of route of hysterectomy. These data suggest that selected patients can safely be offered combined surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Vaginal Electrical Stimulation for Postpartum Neuromuscular Recovery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare 3-month postpartum anal incontinence symptoms in women who sustain obstetric anal sphincter injuries and begin immediate vaginal electrical stimulation versus sham therapy. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, women who sustained obstetric anal sphincter injuries were randomized to receive self-administered vaginal electrical stimulation using a commercial device or sham therapy with an identical device. Anal incontinence symptom severity was assessed at 1 week (baseline) and again at 13 weeks postpartum using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index. The primary outcome was anal incontinence symptom severity measured by the total Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score at 13 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Between February 2016 and September 2018, 48 women completed a 13-week follow-up. At 13 weeks postpartum, median Fecal Incontinence Severity Index scores were higher (more severe) in the vaginal electrical stimulation group (12; interquartile range, 0-23) than in the sham group (4; interquartile range, 0-10) (P = 0.04). Unlike the vaginal electrical stimulation group, the improvement in Fecal Incontinence Severity Index scores in the sham group (vaginal electrical stimulation: 12 [interquartile range, 8-22] to 12 [interquartile range, 0-23] [P = 0.12] vs sham: 12 [interquartile range, 6-18] to 4.0 [interquartile range, 0-11] [P < 0.001]) met the threshold for clinical significance based on the minimum important difference of the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index. CONCLUSION: At 13 weeks postpartum, women who underwent postpartum vaginal electrical stimulation reported more anal incontinence symptoms compared with those receiving sham therapy. Vaginal electrical stimulation after obstetric anal sphincter injury was not beneficial in reducing anal incontinence symptoms and may impede recovery.

Molecular Effects of Topical Estrogen on Vaginal Granulation Tissue in Postpartum Women.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the biomolecular properties of vaginal and perineal granulation tissue in postpartum women and assess the potential impact of vaginal estrogen application. METHODS: We prospectively identified women referred to a subspecialty peripartum clinic between September 2016 and April 2018 who developed symptomatic perineal or vaginal granulation tissue. As part of routine clinical care, granulation tissue was excised from each participant by a urogynecologist and subjected to RNA extraction, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, histologic evaluation, and immunohistochemistry. Serum steroid hormone levels were measured. Comparisons were made between participants who used topical vaginal estradiol (E2) and those who did not (non-E2 controls). RESULTS: Sixteen postpartum women were recruited for this pilot study. More than 30% of patients (n = 5, 31%) had used topical vaginal estradiol (E2) during their postpartum recovery. Histological appearance of granulation tissue evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining was similar in women treated with vaginal E2 and non-E2 controls. Both estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERß mRNA and ERα protein were readily detectable in the granulation tissue of E2-treated women. Although not statistically significant, participants who used topical E2 developed granulation tissue that exhibited local estrogen-responsive gene upregulation. Serum levels of estrone, E2, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and testosterone did not differ between vaginal E2-treated patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Estrogen receptor α seems to be the predominant receptor mediating estrogen action in postpartum perineal and vaginal granulation tissue. Vaginal E2 use does not seem to affect serum levels of estrone, E2, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and testosterone in postpartum women.

The Influence of Patients' Goals on Surgical Satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe patients' surgical goals and determine if goal attainment is associated with postoperative satisfaction and regret. METHODS: Women undergoing surgery for pelvic floor disorders between June and December 2019 were recruited. At their initial visit, patients listed up to 4 surgical goals. Three months after surgery, patients completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, Satisfaction with Decision Scale, and Decision Regret Scale. They were also shown their initial goals and asked, "Did you achieve this goal by having surgery?" Women who achieved all goals were designated "goal achievers," and those who did not achieve even 1 goal were "goal nonachievers" (GNAs). RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients listed a median of 1 (range, 1-4) goals. Goals were categorized as follows: symptom improvement (52%), treatment achievement (23%), lifestyle improvement (17%), and information gathering (6%). Ninety-one percent of patients were goal achievers, and 9% were GNAs. Goal achievers had higher Satisfaction with Decision Scale scores (5.0 [4.7-5.0] vs 4.0 [3.8-4.8], P = 0.002), lower Decision Regret Scale scores (1.0 [1.0-1.4] vs 2.0 [1.1-2.7], P = 0.001), and better Patient Global Impression of Improvement scores (1.0 [1.0-2.0] vs 2.0 [1.0-4.0], P = 0.004). In prolapse surgery patients, postoperative Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory scores were similar; however, GNAs had higher postoperative Urinary Distress Inventory scores (17.0 ± 18.0 vs 45.8 ± 20.8, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ninety-one percent of women achieved their presurgical goals, the most common being symptom relief. Goal achievers have higher satisfaction and less regret; however, those with worsening or de novo urinary symptoms are more likely to be GNAs and be unsatisfied.

Predicting obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in patients who undergo vaginal birth after cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: Women with a history of previous cesarean delivery must weigh the numerous potential risks and benefits of elective repeat cesarean delivery or trial of labor after cesarean delivery. Notably, 1 important risk of vaginal delivery is obstetrical anal sphincter injuries. Furthermore, the rate of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries is high among women undergoing vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. However, the risk of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries is not routinely included in the trial of labor after cesarean delivery counseling, and there is no tool available to risk stratify obstetrical anal sphincter injuries among women undergoing vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model to estimate the risk of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in the setting of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery population to improve antenatal counseling of patients regarding risks of trial of labor after cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a secondary subgroup analysis of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery prospective cohort (1999-2002). We identified women within the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network cohort with 1 previous cesarean delivery followed by a term vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. This Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery cohort was stratified into 2 groups based on the presence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries, and baseline characteristics were compared with bivariate analysis. Significant covariates in bivariate testing were included in a backward stepwise logistic regression model to identify independent risk factors for obstetrical anal sphincter injuries and generate a predictive model for obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in the setting of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Internal validation was performed using bootstrapped bias-corrected estimates of model concordance indices, Brier scores, Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-squared values, and calibration plots. External validation was performed using data from a single-site retrospective cohort of women with a singleton vaginal birth after cesarean delivery from January 2011 to December 2016. RESULTS: In this study, 10,697 women in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery cohort met the inclusion criteria, and 669 women (6.3%) experienced obstetrical anal sphincter injuries. In the model, factors independently associated with obstetrical anal sphincter injuries included use of forceps (adjusted odds ratio, 5.08; 95% confidence interval, 4.10-6.31) and vacuum assistance (adjusted odds ratio, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 2.02-3.44), along with increasing maternal age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.07 per year), body mass index (adjusted odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.00 per unit kg/m2), previous vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.23), and tobacco use during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.82). Internal validation demonstrated appropriate discrimination (concordance index, 0.790; 95% confidence interval, 0.771-0.808) and calibration (Brier score, 0.047). External validation used data from 1266 women who delivered at a tertiary healthcare system, with appropriate model discrimination (concordance index, 0.791; 95% confidence interval, 0.735-0.846) and calibration (Brier score, 0.046). The model can be accessed at oasisriskscore.xyz. CONCLUSION: Our model provided a robust, validated estimate of the probability of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries during vaginal birth after cesarean delivery using known antenatal risk factors and 1 modifiable intrapartum risk factor and can be used to counsel patients regarding risks of trial of labor after cesarean delivery compared with risks of elective repeat cesarean delivery.

Truth or Myth: Intra-abdominal Pressure Increases in the Lithotomy Position.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if there were differences in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in the supine, low lithotomy, and high lithotomy positions. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: Twenty-nine women undergoing surgery for prolapse or stress incontinence. INTERVENTIONS: Relevant medical history, including the pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage, body mass index, and airway grade (Mallampati score), was abstracted from patients' medical charts. IAP was measured in centimeters of water (cmH2O) on the day of their surgery before induction of general or intravenous anesthesia using a T-doc air charged urodynamic catheter (Laborie Aquarius; Ontario, Canada) placed in a patient's vagina (for patients with incontinence) or rectum (for patients with prolapse). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: IAP was measured in 3 positions: supine (legs at 0°), low lithotomy (legs in Yellowfin stirrups at 45°; Allen Medical, Acton, MA), and high lithotomy (legs at 90°). The means ± SDs IAP for the groups were as follows: in the supine position, 18.6 cmH2O ± 7.6; low lithotomy, 17.7 cmH2O ± 6.6; and high lithotomy, 17.1 cmH2O ± 6.3. In the same women, there was a significant decrease in IAP from the supine to high lithotomy positions, with a mean difference of 1.4 cmH2O ± 3.7, p = .05. Similarly, there was a significant, though smaller, decrease in mean IAP when moving from the supine to low lithotomy positions in these same women (mean decrease of 0.9 cmH2O ± 1.5, p = .004). Neither change is clinically significant based on previous research that suggests 5 cmH2O is a clinically significant change. CONCLUSION: Placing patients' legs in a low or high lithotomy position does not result in a clinically significant increase in IAP. Therefore, surgeons and anesthesiologists can consider positioning patients' lower extremities in stirrups while patients are awake to minimize discomfort and possibly reduce the risk of nerve injuries.

Fibroids and Urinary Symptoms Study (FUSS).

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to characterize pelvic floor and urinary symptoms in women seeking treatment for uterine fibroids and to explore the association between uterine/fibroid size and pelvic floor symptoms. METHODS: Women seeking treatment for uterine fibroids at a single academic center were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All participants underwent pelvic imaging and completed the Symptom Severity Subscale of the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (UFS-QOL) and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). RESULTS: One hundred ninety-five women with a mean age of 41 ± 6 years and body mass index of 29 ± 7 kg/m2 were included. In this cohort, 58% identified as Black and 38% had at least 1 vaginal delivery. Women attributed pelvic pain (68%), dyspareunia (37%), and urinary incontinence (31%) to their fibroids. The mean ± SD UFS-QOL score was 48.7 ± 25.4, and 63% of participants reported being at least "somewhat bothered" by tightness/pressure in pelvic area, 60% by frequent daytime urination, and 47% by nocturia. The mean PFDI-20 score was 45.5 ± 31.9. Women reported being at least "somewhat bothered" by heaviness/dullness in the pelvis (60%), frequent urination (56%), pelvic pain or discomfort (48%), and sensation of incomplete bladder emptying (43%). The PFDI-20 and UFS-QOL scores were not correlated with uterine volume (r = 0.12, P = 0.12, and r = 0.06, P = 0.44) or fibroid size (r = 0.09, P = 0.26, and r = 0.01, P = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Women presenting for evaluation and treatment of fibroids report high rates of pelvic floor symptoms, particularly urinary frequency and pelvic pressure. However, uterine size and fibroid size are not associated with pelvic floor symptom bother.

Mind the Gap: Changes in Levator Dimensions After Sacrocolpopexy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare levator hiatus (LH) and levator area (LA) on transvaginal 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) and genital hiatus (GH) size by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examination before and after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy. METHODS: Women with prolapse (POP) beyond the hymen undergoing minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy without concomitant POP repairs completed Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory short form (PFDI), POP-Q, and transvaginal 3D US before and 14 weeks after surgery. Data were analyzed by 2 urogynecologists, blinded to US image sequence and to corresponding POP-Q scores. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were enrolled; 35 with complete data are included. Patients had a mean ± SD age of 55 ± 11 years. Most were white (89%), vaginally parous (94%), postmenopausal (66%), sexually active (63%), and had stage 3 POP (86%). The majority (89%) had concomitant hysterectomy, and 60% had midurethral slings. At baseline, the mean ± SD PFDI and Prolapse subscale of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory scores were 98 ± 50 and 42 ± 22. The median (interquartile range) POP-Q stage decreased after surgery from 3 (3) to 0 (0-1, P < 0.001) and the mean ± SD PFDI scores decreased to 55 ± 42 (P = 0.002). At baseline, the mean ± SD GH and perineal body measurements were 3.5 ± 0.7 and 2.4 ± 0.6 cm. Although the GH size decreased by 0.5 cm after surgery, perineal body was unchanged. Levator hiatus remained unchanged between the baseline and 14-week visits (P = 0.07), whereas LA increased by 0.8 cm2 (P = 0.03). At 14 weeks, the change in LA was not correlated with the change in GH (ρ = -0.2, P = 0.2) or POP stage (ρ = -0.2, P = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Restoring the apex with sacrocolpopexy alone reduces GH size on clinical examination; however, it does not impact the size of the underlying LH on US.

The First Injection: Rates of Urinary Retention in Women With Urgency Incontinence Treated With Intravesical OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the rate of symptomatic and asymptomatic urinary retention and catheterization in women undergoing initial intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (BnTA) injection for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). METHODS: This retrospective chart review included women receiving initial 100 U of BnTA injection for UUI for 5 years. Straight-catheterized postvoid residuals (PVRs) were performed 2 weeks after the injection. Women without the sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, worsened urgency, inability to void, or suprapubic pain but with PVR of greater than 300 mL were characterized as having asymptomatic retention, whereas women with a PVR of greater than 150 and any of these symptoms were diagnosed with symptomatic retention. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-seven 187 patients received initial BnTA injection. The majority were postmenopausal (89%) and white (82%) with a mean age of 65 years and body mass index of 30 kg/m2. One-third of the cohort underwent baseline urodynamic studies. At 2 weeks after injection, 163 patients (87%) followed up, and 17 (10%) had either asymptomatic or symptomatic retention (2% and 8%, respectively). There were no differences in demographic or pretreatment urodynamic parameters in women with and without retention except that women who had previous anti-stress urinary incontinence procedures were more likely to experience retention (53% vs 18%, P = 0.002) despite similar baseline PVRs. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the rate of retention requiring catheterization after 100 U BnTA may be as high as 10% although only 5% develop PVRs for 300 mL and only 2% have asymptomatic retention for 300 mL.

Does a Hysterectomy Hurt? Comparing Narcotic Requirements and Pain Scores in Patients Undergoing Apical Prolapse Repair With or Without Hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare narcotic requirements with early postoperative pain scores in women undergoing apical prolapse surgery with or without hysterectomy. METHODS: All cases of apical prolapse repair at our institution in 2016 were identified. The following was abstracted from the health record: demographics, comorbidities, procedure details, baseline and postoperative care unit (PACU) pain scores, and operating room (OR) and PACU narcotic doses. Doses were converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for analysis. Correlations are reported using Pearson ρ. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six cases were identified. Seventy-eight percent of participants were white and the mean ± SD age was 59 ± 11 years. One hundred seventeen patients (75%) underwent laparoscopic/robotic sacrocolpopexy, 35 (22%) native tissue vaginal repairs, and 4 (3%) open sacrocolpopexy. One hundred twenty-two patients (78%) underwent concomitant hysterectomy: 93 (76%) were laparoscopic, 25 (20%) vaginal, and 4 (4%) abdominal.The groups were similar, with the exception of younger age and longer OR time in the hysterectomy group. Hysterectomy by any route was not associated with increased OR MMEs (29 vs 22, P = 0.22), PACU MMEs (13 vs 13, P = 0.54), 4-hour PACU pain scores (2.5 vs 2.0, P = 0.22), or 6-hour PACU pain scores (2.6 vs 2.3, P = 0.54). After controlling for age and OR time, there remained no differences in these variables. Likewise, when analyzing laparoscopic or vaginal groups separately on multivariate regression, there were no differences in MMEs or postoperative pain scores in patients with and without concomitant hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant hysterectomy at the time of prolapse repair does not increase pain medication requirements or patient-reported postoperative pain scores.

Impact of a Web-Based Decisional Aid on Satisfaction in Women Undergoing Prolapse Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine whether a computerized, condition-specific Decision Analysis Tool (DAT) for the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) improves patient satisfaction and alters decision making. METHODS: Together with a health care startup company, we created a computerized DAT using the best evidence available on success rates and risks associated with sacrocolpopexy, native tissue apical suspension, and colpocleisis. Consecutively scheduled women before and after implementation of the DAT in an academic practice of 4 fellowship-trained, board-certified urogynecologists were included. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction using the Satisfaction with Decision Scale (SDS). Secondary outcomes included the Decision Regret Scale (DRS) questionnaire, differences in surgical choice, patient-reported outcomes, and individual SDS and DRS items. The SDS and DRS were administered at the 3-month postoperative visit. RESULTS: Forty-seven women before DAT implementation and 54 women after DAT implementation were included. There were no differences in SDS or DRS total scores (4.62 ± 0.66 vs 4.52 ± 0.72, P = 0.10 and 1.48 ± 0.79 vs 1.52 ± 0.82, P = 0.77) or individual question responses between groups. Women using the DAT were more likely to choose sacrocolpopexy than those who did not (76% vs 51%, P = 0.01). All 3 procedures led to similarly improved POP symptoms (P = 0.98), but those who underwent sacrocolpopexy had higher SDS scores compared with native tissue or colpocleisis patients (P = 0.01). Several individual SDS and DRS items were more favorable after sacrocolpopexy. CONCLUSIONS: Women choosing surgery for POP are satisfied with their decision-making experiences with and without the assistance of a DAT. More women using a DAT, however, undergo sacrocolpopexy, which is associated with improved satisfaction.

Early Secondary Repair of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury Breakdown: Contemporary Surgical Techniques and Experiences From a Peripartum Subspecialty Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To describe surgical technique and outcomes of early secondary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) breakdown. METHODS: This was a case series of all women presenting to a subspecialty peripartum clinic within 2 months of an OASIS, who ultimately underwent secondary surgical repair between September 2013 and January 2018. Cases were identified using the following CPT codes: 57308 (transperineal fistula repair), 56910 (repair of the perineum), and 46750 (repair of anal sphincter). Four board-certified urogynecologists performed all surgical procedures using the same technique: demographics, delivery data, and preoperative and postoperative data were collected. RESULTS: Eighteen women were identified. The majority (16 [88.9%] of 18) were primiparous; 9 (50%) women underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery and 9 (50%) women underwent forceps-assisted vaginal delivery. Over 70% (13 [72.2%] of 18) suffered a 3rd-degree tear, whereas 5 (27.8%) of 18 had a 4th-degree laceration. The median time after delivery to specialty clinic presentation was 10 days (interquartile range, 5.3-52.5 days). All women were diagnosed with wound breakdown at their initial visit. Seven (38.9%) also had a concomitant rectovaginal fistula.Median time from diagnosis of wound breakdown to secondary operative revision was 19.5 days (interquartile range, 12-26.8 days). Seventeen (94.4%) of the 18 women underwent overlapping external anal sphincteroplasty with perineorrhaphy; of these, 7 (41.2%) also underwent concurrent repair of their rectovaginal fistula. One woman underwent perineorrhaphy alone. At 3 months postoperatively, no women had a wound breakdown or recurrent fistula. CONCLUSIONS: In women with OASIS breakdown, early secondary repair is both feasible and successful with meticulous surgical technique.

Restricted Convalescence Following Urogynecologic Procedures: 1-Year Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between postoperative activity recommendations and satisfaction and anatomic and functional outcomes 1 year after surgery for symptomatic prolapse. METHODS: This is a planned secondary analysis reporting 1-year functional and anatomic outcomes of a multicenter, randomized, double-masked clinical trial "ReCOUP." In the original trial, women undergoing surgery for prolapse were randomized to liberal (no limitations on physical activity) or restricted (heavy lifting and high-impact activity prohibited) postoperative activity recommendations for 3 months after surgery. At 1 year, our primary outcome was satisfaction, assessed using a 5-point Likert scale answer to the question, "How satisfied are you with the result of your prolapse surgery?" Anatomic surgical failure was met if women had prolapse beyond the hymen, apical descent greater than one third the vaginal length, OR retreatment for prolapse. RESULTS: Of the 95 women (n = 45 liberal, n = 50 restricted) who were randomized and completed primary 3-month outcomes, 83 (87%) completed a functional assessment, and 77 (81%) completed both functional and anatomic assessment at 1 year. Satisfaction with surgery remained high (91.5%) with no differences between groups (86.8% vs 95.6% P = 0.155) as did anatomic and functional outcomes. There were 7.8% women who met criteria for anatomic surgical failure with no difference between the restricted (7.0%) and liberal group (8.8%). Three women (2 in the restricted group, 1 in the liberal group) with recurrent prolapse and underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in anatomic and functional outcomes at 12 months after surgery in women who resume postoperative activity liberally and those who restrict postoperative activity.

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.

Adding Insult to Injury: Levator Ani Avulsion in Women With Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries.

OBJECTIVE: In women with obstetric anal sphincter injuries, we compared the rate of major levator ani avulsion after forceps-assisted delivery versus spontaneous vaginal delivery. METHODS: Prospective cohort of primiparous women with obstetric anal sphincter injuries. The primary outcome was the rate of major levator ani avulsion as measured by 3-dimensional transvaginal ultrasonography performed between 1 and 2 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes included ultrasonographic anteroposterior hiatal diameter, levator hiatal area, and levator-urethra gap, and differences in validated pelvic disorder questionnaires scores at 1 to 2 and 13 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Sixty-two women (30 spontaneous deliveries, 32 forceps deliveries) were included in the final analysis. After controlling for delivery variables, women who underwent forceps-assisted delivery were more likely to experience a major avulsion as compared with those who underwent spontaneous delivery (21/32, [65.6%] vs 8/30 [26.7%]; odds ratio, 5.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-24.5; P = 0.014). They were also more likely to have larger levator-urethra gaps bilaterally (P = 0.012, 0.016). After controlling for potential confounders, levator ani avulsion was independently associated with persistent anal incontinence symptoms at 13 weeks postpartum (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In women with obstetric anal sphincter injuries, the risk of levator ani avulsion is almost 6 times higher after forceps-assisted vaginal delivery as compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery. In those with avulsion, recovery of anal continence is compromised, suggesting that adding insult (avulsion) to injury (obstetric anal sphincter injury) may have negative functional consequences.

Rates of Sling Procedures and Revisions-A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe trends in sling procedures and revisions, including fascial slings and midurethral slings (MUS) using a large, national database with respect to the 2011 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mesh-related safety communication. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cohort study using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database from 2010 to 2018, evaluating the prevalence of sling revision and fascial slings and their trends over time. Patients who underwent MUS, fascial slings, and sling revisions were identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes. Sling revisions and fascial slings were evaluated as a proportion of the total number of MUS performed per year. Three distinct periods were evaluated in relation to the 2011 FDA communication: 2010 to 2012, 2012 to 2015, and 2015 to 2018. Observed trends were assessed with Pearson correlation coefficients with a P value less than 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: During the study period, 32,657 slings were captured: 32,389 MUS and 268 fascial slings. The rate of sling revisions was low (0.4% in 2010 to 1.2% in 2015). Between 2012 and 2015, the rate of sling revision increased significantly (R = 1, P = 0.002); following 2015, the rate of sling revisions decreased significantly over time (R = -0.96, P = 0.04). The rate of fascial slings between 2012 and 2015 increased significantly (R = 0.95, P = 0.047); however, the rate plateaued starting in 2015 (R = -0.49, -P = 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that MUS remain the preferred procedure for treatment of stress urinary incontinence despite the recent FDA communications with MUS representing 99% of sling procedures during the study period.

Concurrent Retropubic Midurethral Sling and OnabotulinumtoxinA for Mixed Urinary Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether retropubic midurethral sling combined with onabotulinumtoxinA is more effective than sling alone in improving mixed urinary incontinence symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of women with mixed urinary incontinence, planning to undergo midurethral sling. Women were randomly assigned to receive 100 unites of intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA or placebo during surgery. Participants completed the PGI-S (Patient Global Impression of Severity), the UDI-6 (Urinary Distress Inventory, Short Form), and the PFIQ-7 (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-Short Form 7) before and 3 months after surgery, and the primary outcome, PGI-I (Patient Global Impression of Improvement), 3 months postoperatively. Primary outcome was PGI-I score at 3 months for overall incontinence. We considered women "improved" with answers of "very much better" or "much better" on the PGI-I. Assuming a PGI-I response of "improved" in 66% of placebo and 93% of onabotulinumtoxinA participants, 68 women were needed to show a significant difference with 80% power at 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: From March 2016 to November 2019, 78 women completed a 3-month follow-up (onabotulinumtoxinA: 41; placebo: 37). Mean age was 51 years (±10). On the PGI-I, the number who "improved" did not differ between groups at 3 months (83% vs 84%, P=1.0). The onabotulinumtoxinA group had less severe urgency symptoms as indicated by median urgency PGI-S scores (1 [interquartile range 1-2] vs 2 [interquartile range 1-3], P=.033) and greater improvement in urgency symptoms based on median urgency PGI-I score (1 [interquartile range 1-3] vs 2 [interquartile range 2-4], P=.028). At 3 months, median UDI-6, PFIQ-7, and PGI-S scores improved significantly from baseline in both groups. Similarly, UDI-6 and PFIQ-7 scores did not differ between groups. More women in the onabotulinumtoxinA arm initiated intermittent self-catheterization, (3% placebo; 12% onabotulinumtoxinA, P=.20) and experienced urinary tract infections (5% placebo; 22% onabotulinumtoxinA, P=.051), but these did not differ statistically. CONCLUSION: Concurrent intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injection did not improve overall incontinence symptoms at 3 months compared with placebo among women with mixed urinary incontinence undergoing midurethral sling placement. Women with mixed urinary incontinence undergoing sling report significant improvement in overall incontinence symptoms, regardless of the addition of onabotulinumtoxinA injections, but those receiving concurrent onabotulinumtoxinA injections reported less urgency severity and greater improvement in urgency symptoms at 3 months. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02678377.

Bare Versus Hair: Do Pubic Hair Grooming Preferences Dictate the Urogenital Microbiome?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether the genitourinary microbiome differs between and within women with and without pubic hair. METHODS: Premenopausal women who self-identified into 2 groups were recruited: in the "hair" group, women did not remove any pubic hair, and in the "bare" group, all pubic hair was removed routinely. Participants submitted a vaginal swab, a voided urine sample, and a catheterized urine sample, and then "crossed over." The "hair" group removed all hair for 1 month, and the "bare" group grew hair for 2 months. After crossover, participants again submitted a vaginal swab, a voided urine sample, and a catheterized urine sample. Ten participants acted as controls. DNA was extracted, and the V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the MiSeq platform. Paired-end sequences were imported into QIIME2-2018.6. Alpha diversity (the number and proportion of species in an individual sample) and beta diversity (differences in microbial composition between samples) were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-two participants were analyzed: 16 "bare to hair" crossovers, 16 "hair-to-bare" crossovers, and 10 controls. The microbiome varied by sample type: vaginal swabs had the lowest alpha diversity and catheterized urine had the highest (P < 0.001). At baseline, there were no differences in the alpha or beta diversity of urine or vaginal microbiomes between groups. Vaginal beta diversity at visit 2 was greater within crossovers than controls (P = 0.004), suggesting that altering hair status alters the microbiome composition. Urinary beta diversity was not different at visit 2 (P = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Pubic hair status does not determine one's baseline genitourinary microbiome, but women who change their hair status may alter their vaginal microbiome.