Visualization of synthetic mesh utilizing optical coherence tomography.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Owing to the recent upsurge in adverse events reported after mesh-augmented pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repairs, our aim was to determine whether the location and depth of synthetic mesh can be measured postoperatively within the vaginal tissue microstructure using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Seventeen patients with prior mesh-augmented repairs were recruited for participation. Patients were included if they had undergone an abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) or vaginal repair with mesh. Exclusion criteria were a postoperative period of <6 months, or the finding of mesh exposure on examination. OCT was used to image the vaginal wall at various POP-Q sites. If mesh was visualized, its location and depth was calculated and recorded. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent ASC and 7 patients had 8 transvaginal mesh repairs. Mesh was visualized in 16 of the 17 patients using OCT. In all ASC patients, mesh was imaged centrally at the posterior apex. In patients with transvaginal mesh in the anterior and/or posterior compartments, the mesh was visualized directly anterior and/or posterior to the apex respectively. Mean depth of the mesh in the ASC, anterior, and posterior groups was 60.9, 146.7, and 125.7 µm respectively. Mesh was visualized within the vaginal epithelial layer in all 16 patients despite the route of placement. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study we found that OCT can be used to visualize polypropylene mesh within the vaginal wall following mesh-augmented prolapse repair. Regardless of abdominal versus vaginal placement, the mesh was identified within the vaginal epithelial layer.

Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women: a review.

Recurrent urinary tract infections most often present with symptoms of irritative voiding. In most cases, they are caused by reinfection with a previously isolated organism. Patients with one or more symptoms of uncomplicated recurrent urinary tract infection should undergo thorough examination and screening for underlying comorbidities that increase susceptibility. When frequent reinfections, empiric treatment relapse, persistent infections, or risk factors for complicated infections are encountered, patients may benefit from urodynamics, cystoscopy, renal ultrasound, intravenous urogram, or voiding cystourethrogram to evaluate for anatomic, functional, or metabolic abnormalities affecting the urinary tract (e.g., stones, stricture, obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, lesions, detrusor underactivity). These patients may benefit from culture-guided empiric treatment and further evaluation by urology, nephrology, or infectious disease specialists. In patients with a history of uncomplicated urinary tract infections, empiric treatment guided by local antimicrobial resistance may efficiently treat a suspected recurrence. After successful treatment of the acute infection, postcoital prophylaxis, continuous prophylaxis, or self-start empiric treatment may be selected based on frequency of recurrent infections, temporal relation to intercourse, and patient characteristics. Ancillary measures such as probiotics, cranberry products, or local estrogen replacement may also be considered. This article will review the current definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, work-up, treatment, treatment side effects, and prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in women. A suggested algorithm for evaluation and treatment based on current literature is provided.

Complex sacral abscess 8 years after abdominal sacral colpopexy.

BACKGROUND: Sacral colpopexy is an effective, durable repair for women with apical vaginal or uterovaginal prolapse. There are few reports of serious complications diagnosed in the remote postoperative period. CASE: A 74-year-old woman presented 8 years after undergoing posthysterectomy abdominal sacral colpopexy using polypropylene mesh. Posterior vaginal mesh erosion had been diagnosed several months before presentation. She suffered severe infectious complications including an infected thrombus in the inferior vena cava, sacral osteomyelitis, and a complex abscess with presacral and epidural components. Surgical exploration revealed an abscess cavity surrounding the mesh. CONCLUSION: Although minor complications commonly occur after sacral colpopexy using abdominal mesh, serious and rare postoperative infectious complications may occur years postoperatively.

The prevalence of microscopic hematuria in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: : The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of microscopic hematuria (MH) in women with pelvic organ prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: : Data of all patients presenting to a urogynecologic center with pelvic organ prolapse between 2008 and 2010 were reviewed. Microscopic hematuria was defined as 3 or more red blood cells per high-power field on at least 2 urinalysis specimens with negative cultures. Exclusion criteria included age younger than 40 years, presence of gross hematuria, menses, or urologic disease. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP 4.0.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS: : The population consisted of 572 women aged 40 to 96 years. Fifty-five patients (9.6%) met the criteria for MH, and 126 (22%) had 3 or more red blood cells per high-power field on 1 urinalysis. No cases of urologic malignancy were diagnosed on further workup. All patients with microhematuria had cystoceles on examination. CONCLUSIONS: : Our findings suggest that the prevalence of MH is increased in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Sacral osteomyelitis after robotically assisted laparoscopic sacral colpopexy.

BACKGROUND: Osteomyelitis associated with using synthetic mesh for laparoscopic sacral colpopexy is rare. CASE: We present a patient who developed Staphylococcus sacral osteomyelitis after sacral colpopexy with synthetic mesh and titanium tack fixation to the sacral promontory in the absence of mesh erosion or fistula formation. The patient presented with low back pain 6 weeks postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging, bone aspirate, and culture confirmed sacral osteomyelitis and discitis 10 weeks after surgery. The patient underwent 8 weeks of outpatient antibiotic treatment. Six months after surgery, serial laboratory values have demonstrated excellent response to antibiotic treatment, and the patient has clinically improved without the need for mesh removal. CONCLUSION: We recommend a high index of suspicion for osteomyelitis in patients who present with back pain after sacral colpopexy. Osteomyelitis can occur as a complication of laparoscopic, robotic sacral colpopexy using mesh in the absence of abscess or fistula formation.

Mini-incisional Burch urethropexy: a less invasive method to accomplish a time-tested procedure for treatment of genuine stress incontinence.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of performing the Burch urethropexy (BU) and the abdominal paravaginal repair (APR) through a 1.5-2.5 in suprapubic incision. A prospective clinical study was undertaken by four urogynecologists. Seventy-three patients, each with a urodynamic and clinical diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence, underwent a BU procedure, with 33 of the 73 having concomitant APR through the same incision. The duration of surgery and any complications were recorded. Postoperative outcome tests included subjective incontinence questionnaire, cough stress testing, pad testing, measurement of residual volumes, and analgesia requirements. The BU procedure was accomplished in 72 of 73 patients, with 1 requiring conversion to a 5 in incision. The mean operative time was 64.6 +/-21.9 (SD) min. Intraoperatively, 1 patient was noted to have a suture in the bladder. All patient having only a BU (40) went home on the day of surgery or the first postoperative day, and all patients with BU and APR went home within 2 days. All but 1 patient met the criteria for catheter removal within 7 days, with 1 patient suffering obstructive voiding. At a mean follow-up of 9 months, cough stress test and questionnaire demonstrated complete cure in 70 of 72 patients tested. Pad testing confirmed cure in all of the 46 patients who consented to the test. We conclude that the standard Burch procedure and paravaginal repair can be accomplished safely and with excellent short-term efficacy through a 1.5-2.5 in incision.