Microbiological Analysis of Urine Cultures in Women after Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The rate of urinary tract infection (UTI) after pelvic reconstructive surgery ranges from 9 to 48% and the most common uropathogen is Escherichia coli (E. coli). The aim of the study is to identify the predominant uro-pathogen from urine cultures in women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on women who underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery at a tertiary care center from July 2013 to June 2015. Data was collected from each postoperative visit to evaluate urinary tract symptoms, culture results and treatment in the 3-month postoperative interval. RESULTS: There were 880 cases reviewed (mean age of 59.6 years) during the study period. The most common organism in positive cultures was E. coli after surgery. The total UTI rate was 11.3%. Patients discharged with a Foley catheter had a UTI rate of 65.6% (p = 0.003). Diabetes, neurologic disease, tobacco use, recurrent UTIs and breast or gynecologic cancers had no significant association with UTI after surgery. CONCLUSION: The most common organism identified is E. coli. Almost 12% of patients will develop a UTI after pelvic reconstructive surgery. The results of this study can influence management of lower urinary tract symptoms in the postoperative period.

Surgical Outcomes of Paravaginal Repair After Robotic Sacrocolpopexy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate surgical outcomes of robotic sacrocolpopexy with and without paravaginal repair for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study with a 3-month postoperative follow-up (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: An academic-affiliated community hospital with a practice comprised of 3 surgeons board certified in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing robotic sacrocolpopexy for POP from April 2013 through November 2014. INTERVENTIONS: Robotic paravaginal repair (RPVR) after robotic sacrocolpopexy. The decision to perform a paravaginal repair was at the discretion of the surgeon. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six patients underwent a robotic sacrocolpopexy. Twenty-four patients were excluded because of a lack of a 3-month postoperative follow-up. Nine patients underwent concomitant vaginal paravaginal repair and were also excluded. Outcomes were defined by comparing preoperative characteristics with those at the 3-month follow-up. Of the 123 patients in this cohort, 21 patients underwent a concomitant RPVR, and 102 did not. All Pelvic Organ Prolapse Questionnaire (POP-Q) points improved within groups (p < .001) except for the total vaginal length (TVL) in the RPVR group (p = .940). The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) did not differ between groups (1.2 vs 1.5, p = .128). Subgroup analysis was performed on patients with preoperative anterior wall prolapse of stage 3 or greater. Baseline characteristics and perioperative data were not remarkably different from the main cohort. All POP-Q points improved within groups (p < .001) except for the TVL in the RPVR group (p = .572). The PGI-I did not differ between groups (1.2 vs 1.3, p = .378). CONCLUSION: In both groups, anatomic markers substantially improved within each group. There were significant differences in postoperative POP-Q findings, which may have been influenced by the fact that patients undergoing RPVR usually had worse baseline prolapse. This selection bias creates difficulty with interpretation. Although in this study RPVR did not change subjective outcomes, further study is necessary to control for the severity of prolapse.

Estimation of Uterine Size: How Accurate Are We?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of gynecologic surgeons at estimating uterine dimensions and weight. METHODS: Six model uteri of various sizes were created to simulate the size and consistency of a uterus and displayed at 3 stations. The visual station (VS) comprised 2 specimens placed on an unmarked table. The laparoscopic station (LS) consisted of 2 model uteri, each placed in a separate simulated abdomen with a 0 degree laparoscope and 2 operative trocars with standard instruments. The blind weight station (BWS) consisted of blind palpation of 2 separately weighted models (heavy model [HM] and light model [LM]). Participants visually estimated the dimensions of each VS and LS models and blindly palpated the BWS models to estimate weight. RESULTS: Participants included 15 residents, 27 attendings, and 6 medical students. There was no difference in estimation accuracy regarding gender and age. For the VS and LS groups, participants underestimated all dimensions (VS variance = -15.0%; P < 0.001 and LS variance = -31.9%; P < 0.0001). Laparoscopic estimation was less accurate than direct vision (P < 0.0001). Attendings and residents equally underestimated the 3 dimensions visually (P = 0.46), but attendings were more accurate at estimating laparoscopic dimensions (-25.8% vs -41.1%; P = 0.0001). All groups overestimated model weights (HM variance, 92.5%; P < 0.001 and LM variance, 132.0%; P < 0.0001), with attendings more accurate than residents (39.7% vs 167.6%; P = 0.015 for HM and 52.0% vs 238.5%; P = 0.035 for LM). CONCLUSIONS: Gynecologic surgeons at all levels of training are inaccurate at estimating dimensions and weights. With surgical decisions often predicated on estimates, education is needed to improve estimation methods.

Hydrodistention of the bladder for the treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to determine whether a transvaginal trigonal block immediately preceding cystoscopy with hydrodistention yields an additional therapeutic benefit compared to cystoscopy with hydrodistention alone for the treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed at a single-center. Performance of a trigonal block prior to hydrodistention was at the discretion of the surgeon. A trigonal block consists of injecting 0.25% bupivacaine with 1.0% Xylocaine into the anterior vagina under the trigone under cystoscopic guidance. Procedures between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2013 were included. The primary outcome compared change in pain score from the baseline to 1-month post-operative. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three patients underwent hydrodistention of the bladder. Seventy-seven were excluded and of the 106 patients remaining, 48 received a trigonal block and 58 did not. Both groups had a significant improvement in pain scores (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in change in pain score from baseline between both groups (-2.9 vs. -2.6; P = 0.694). Distention time was dichotomized into 2 and >5 min based on surgeon preference. There was no difference in change in pain score from baseline between both groups (-3.0 vs. -2.2; P = 0.061). CONCLUSIONS: Hydrodistention of the bladder decreased pain postoperatively regardless of trigonal block or time of distention. A randomized-controlled trial is necessary to determine the benefits of duration of hydrodistention or performance of a block. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:784-786, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Risk factors for vaginal mesh exposure after mesh-augmented anterior repair: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for vaginal mesh exposure after mesh-augmented repair of anterior prolapse. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who had mesh-augmented anterior repair by 1 surgeon between January 2007 and February 2012. Data were extracted from medical records. The primary outcome was the rate of anterior or apical vaginal mesh exposure. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 201 subjects were included. The mean (SD) follow-up was 14.3 (12.4) months. All cases were done using a type 1 macroporous monofilament polypropylene mesh. The overall mesh exposure rate was 8.5% (17/201). Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant positive association between exposure rates and the following risk factors: lower body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.016), menopause in combination with the use of hormone replacement therapy (P = 0.023), midline sagittal vaginal incision (compared with distal transverse incision) (P = 0.026), concurrent total hysterectomy (P < 0.001), surgery time (P = 0.002), and worse apical prolapse at baseline (P = 0.007). After multivariate analysis using logistic regression, only BMI (P < 0.001) and concomitant total hysterectomy (odds ratio, 48; P < 0.001) remained relevant. The exposure rate was 23.5% (16/68) when concomitant hysterectomy was performed compared with 0.8% (1/133) when no hysterectomy was done. Exposure rates stratified by BMI class were 12.9% (8/62) for BMI less than 25 kg/m, 9.5% (8/84) for BMI of 25 to 29.9 kg/m, 3.1% (1/32) for BMI of 30 to 34.9 kg/m, and 0% (0/23) for BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant total hysterectomy is an independent risk factor for mesh exposure after mesh-augmented anterior repair, whereas BMI may negatively correlate with exposure rates.

Does local injection with lidocaine plus epinephrine prior to vaginal reconstructive surgery with synthetic mesh affect exposure rates? A retrospective comparison.

UNLABELLED: Does local injection with lidocaine plus epinephrine prior to vaginal reconstructive surgery with synthetic mesh affect exposure rates? A retrospective comparison. PURPOSE: To determine if local injection, prior to incision with lidocaine plus epinephrine (L + E) influences the rate of mesh exposure in the early postoperative period following synthetic mesh augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery (MAVR). METHODS: We performed a chart review over an 18-month period of patients who underwent MAVR. The presence of mesh exposure at the 3-month postoperative visit, demographic data and whether or not L + E was used to hydrodissect was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to determine whether hydrodissection influenced erosion rates. RESULTS: A total of 143 meshes were placed, hydrodissection with L + E was used in 78 cases and was not in the remaining 65 cases. There were 10 (7.0% 10/143) total erosions at the 3-month postoperative visit, 6 (7.7%; 6/78) in the group that got L + E and 4 (6.2%; 4/65) in the group that did not get local injection. This difference was not significant (p = 0.740, OR 1.54 95% CI 0.41-5.76). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, presence of diabetes, concurrent incontinence repair or estimated blood loss. CONCLUSION: Mesh exposure is a known complication of MAVR. Our study suggests that local injection with L + E prior to vaginal surgery does not influence exposure rates.

Characteristics of physicians who choose fellowship training in obstetrics and gynecology.

INTRODUCTION: : To determine the attributes and motivation of physicians who pursue fellowship training in the subspecialties of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn). METHODS: : We surveyed current fellows and recent graduates from the ABOG recognized subspecialties in Ob/Gyn. Demographics and reasons for pursuing fellowship training were obtained. Significant differences between and among groups were determined using the Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson χ test. RESULTS: : Forty-two percent of those sent a survey responded. The majority were between ages 30 to 35 (65.7%), female (60.5%), married (74.5%), and White (68.8%). Over 55% in each subspecialty cited interest in subject area as the primary reason for choosing their fellowship. CONCLUSION: : Interest in subject remains the primary motivation for the majority of physicians choosing subspecialty fellowship training in Ob/Gyn. There is considerably more variation regarding what physicians' secondary motivation is and these reasons appear to vary according to the particular subspecialty.

Risk factors for mesh erosion 3 months following vaginal reconstructive surgery using commercial kits vs. fashioned mesh-augmented vaginal repairs.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our objective was to establish the overall graft erosion rate in a synthetic graft-augmented repair 3 months postoperatively. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on a cohort of subjects who underwent mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery during an 18-month period. We defined graft erosion as exposure of any mesh upon visual inspection of the entire vagina at the 3-month postoperative visit. Statistical tests performed to evaluate proportional differences were the Pearson chi square and Fisher exact tests. Independent t test was performed to compare mean differences. RESULTS: A total of 124 grafts were implanted. The overall erosion rate was 11.3%. There was a significantly lower erosion rate when using "commercial kits" vs. our traditional repairs (1.4% [one out of 69] vs. 23.6% [13 out of 55]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a significantly lower erosion rate when using a "commercial kit" to repair pelvic organ prolapse compared to our traditional synthetic graft-augmented repair.

Primary amenorrhea with an abdominal mass at the umbilicus.

BACKGROUND: Transverse vaginal septum is a rare cause of primary amenorrhea. It has a reported incidence of 1:2,100-1:72,000 and a variety of clinical presentations. CASE: A 16-year-old patient presented with primary amenorrhea and a large abdominal mass that was palpated on clinical exam and confirmed on MRI imaging. A diagnosis of transverse vaginal septum was ultimately made and the patient underwent a successful surgical excision of the septum and vaginal reconstruction. CONCLUSION: The presentation, etiology, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of a transverse vaginal septum are discussed.

Use of synthetic mesh to prevent recurrent vaginal evisceration: a case report.

Vaginal evisceration of the bowel is a rare and life-threatening complication of gynecologic surgery; recurrence is even more rare. Most cases in the literature discuss primary closure of the dehisced vaginal cuff with delayed absorbable sutures via a vaginal, abdominal, or laparoscopic approach. The case presented here is of a patient who had a history of recurrent vaginal evisceration treated with an abdominal sacrocolpopexy utilizing synthetic mesh. Further recurrence, to date, has been prevented.

Outcomes of vaginal reconstructive surgery with and without graft material.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes of vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, comparing cases implementing graft augmentation to those without graft augmentation. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of 312 patients who underwent vaginal surgery for prolapse from February 1998 to January 2004. RESULTS: Of the 312 patients, 98 (31.4%) had graft augmentation. The median follow-up was 9 months (3-67 months). Graft use was not associated with reduction in recurrent prolapse, recurrent stage 3 prolapse, recurrent incontinence, or additional surgery for prolapse. After controlling for confounders, there was still no difference in surgical outcomes. Complications such as vaginal/graft infection (18.4% vs 4.7%; P < .001) and granulation tissue (38.8% vs 17.3%; P < .001) were more common after cases in which graft was used. CONCLUSION: In the early postoperative period, there was no benefit in using graft for prolapse repair. Graft use leads to a higher rate of postoperative complications.

The incidence of urinary tract injury during hysterectomy: a prospective analysis based on universal cystoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of urinary tract injury due to hysterectomy for benign disease. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were enrolled prospectively from 3 sites. All patients undergoing abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease underwent diagnostic cystourethroscopy. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-one patients participated. Ninety-six percent (24/25) of urinary tract injuries were detected intraoperatively. There were 8 cases of ureteral injury (1.7%) and 17 cases of bladder injury (3.6%). Ureteral injury was associated with concurrent prolapse surgery (7.3% vs 1.2%; P = .025). Bladder injury was associated with concurrent anti-incontinence procedures (12.5% vs 3.1%; P = .049). Abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a higher incidence of ureteral injury (2.2% vs 1.2%) but this was not significant. Only 12.5% of ureteral injuries and 35.3% of bladder injuries were detected before cystoscopy. CONCLUSION: The incidence of urinary tract injury during hysterectomy is 4.8%. Surgery for prolapse or incontinence increases the risk. Routine use of cystoscopy during hysterectomy should be considered.

Levator contraction strength and genital hiatus as risk factors for recurrent pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate levator ani contraction strength and genital hiatus measurements with surgical failure in prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study involved chart review for documentation of levator contraction strength, genital hiatus measurement, and recurrent pelvic floor disorders in women who underwent surgery for prolapse. RESULTS: The recurrent prolapse rate was 34.6%. Median follow-up interval was 5 months. Diminished levator strength was associated with recurrent prolapse (35.8% versus 0%; P = .017). A genital hiatus 5 cm or greater was associated with recurrent prolapse (44.2% vs 27.8%; P = .034). Inability to contract the levator ani was associated with urinary incontinence (35.1% vs 18.8%; P = .023). Increasing levator contraction strength was associated with a decreased reoperation rate for pelvic floor disorders, whereas genital hiatus correlated best with recurrent prolapse. CONCLUSION: Diminished levator ani contraction strength and a widened genital hiatus correlate with an increase in surgical failures in the early postoperative period. These tools are useful for counseling a patient concerning surgery for prolapse.

Effect of diabetes on long-term mortality following contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention: analysis of 4,284 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic patients are known to have reduced long-term survival following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty compared with nondiabetic patients. However, it is unknown whether this survival disadvantage has persisted in the era of contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) techniques, which include the widespread use of stents and the availability of platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Three hospitals in New York City contributed prospectively defined data on 4,284 patients undergoing PCI. The primary end point was all-cause mortality following hospital discharge for PCI. RESULTS: Hypertension, renal insufficiency, and renal failure requiring dialysis were all more common in diabetic patients, whereas active smoking was less frequent. Congestive heart failure on admission was more common in diabetic than nondiabetic patients (7.7 vs. 4.0%, P < 0.001). Stents were placed in 78% of nondiabetic patients and 75% of diabetic patients (P = 0.045). Platelet GP IIb/IIIa antagonists were administered to 23% of nondiabetic and 24% of diabetic patients (P = NS). At a mean follow-up of 3 years, mortality was 8% among nondiabetic patients and 13% for diabetic patients (P < 0.001). After adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics between nondiabetic and diabetic patients, diabetes remained a significant independent hazard for late mortality (hazard ratio 1.462, 95% CI 1.169-1.828; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Following contemporary PCI, diabetic patients continue to have worse survival than nondiabetic patients.

Clinical and biochemical results of the metalloproteinase inhibition with subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline to prevent acute coronary syndromes (MIDAS) pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Vulnerable plaque demonstrates intense inflammation in which macrophages secrete matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade the fibrous cap, ultimately leading to rupture, in situ thrombosis, and an associated clinical event. Thus, inhibition of MMP activity or more general suppression of vascular inflammation are attractive targets for interventions intended to reduce plaque rupture. We hypothesized that subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline (SDD) (20 mg twice daily) would benefit patients with coronary artery disease by reducing inflammation and MMP activity and thus possibly prevent coronary plaque rupture events. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of 6 months of SDD or placebo treatment to reduce inflammation and prevent plaque rupture events. A total of 50 patients were enrolled, of whom 24 were randomized to placebo and 26 to SDD. At 6 months, there was no difference in the composite endpoint of sudden death, fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal MI, or troponin-positive unstable angina in SDD compared with placebo-treated patients (8.4% versus 0%, P=0.491). Biochemical markers of inflammation were assessed in plasma at study entry and after 6 months of therapy in 30 patients. In SDD-treated patients, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) was reduced by 46% from 4.8+/-0.6 microg/mL to 2.6+/-0.4 microg/mL (P=0.007), whereas CRP was not significantly reduced in placebo patients. Interleukin (IL)-6 decreased from 22.1+/-3.7 pg/mL at baseline to 14.7+/-1.8 pg/mL at 6 months in SDD-treated patients (P=0.025) but did not decrease significantly in placebo-treated patients. On zymography, pro-MMP-9 activity was reduced 50% by SDD therapy (P=0.011), whereas it was unchanged by placebo treatment. CONCLUSIONS: SDD appears to exert potentially beneficial effects on inflammation that could promote plaque stability. These findings should be investigated in a larger study.

A comprehensive pelvic dissection course improves obstetrics and gynecology resident proficiency in surgical anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of a pelvic dissection course on resident proficiency in surgical anatomy. STUDY DESIGN: Over a 1-year period, residents attended a course consisting of pretesting and posttesting, lectures, and pelvic dissection. Tests results were analyzed using paired Student t test, analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis statistics. RESULTS: Of 42 residents, 24 completed all testing (study cohort). On written and practical examinations, resident scores improved a median of 42% and 29% (both P<.0001). Postgraduate year (PGY) 2 demonstrated the greatest improvement on the practical and PGY-3s demonstrated the greatest improvement on the written. Baseline written and practical results discriminated PGY level (construct validity): PGY-2=PGY-3

A propensity analysis of the impact of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor therapy on in-hospital outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention.

It is unknown whether the benefits of parenteral platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) demonstrated in randomized clinical trials extend to patients treated outside the setting of clinical trials. A contemporary registry of 10,847 consecutive PCI procedures was analyzed to determine the effect of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor treatment on in-hospital major adverse coronary events ([MACEs] composite of death, urgent coronary artery bypass surgery, periprocedural myocardial infarction, abrupt closure, and stent thrombosis). In this registry, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors were administered to 20.1% of patients. These patients were younger, more often men, and less often hypertensive than untreated patients. GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor-treated patients were more likely to present with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Stents were placed in 79% of patients treated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors. MACEs occurred in 7.8% of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor-treated patients compared with 3.8% of untreated patients (p <0.001). After multivariable adjustment for the propensity of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor treatment as well as other possible confounders and interactions known to influence MACEs, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor treatment was associated with a 57% increase in the risk of a MACE (odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 2.03; p = 0.0004). In a data set consisting of patients with a high degree of acuity predominantly treated with stent placement, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor treatment is associated with an increase in thrombotic complications of PCI.

Comparison of in-hospital outcomes following early or delayed angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Studies of primary angioplasty for treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have not appeared to demonstrate a reduction in efficacy as a function of time to treatment. We sought to compare the outcomes of patients treated in New York State with primary angioplasty within 6 hours of symptom onset to those treated between 6 and 23 hours after the onset of AMI. METHODS: We used data from the 1995 Coronary Angioplasty Reporting System of the New York State Department of Health to compare the in-hospital outcomes of patients treated with early (within 6 hours) or delayed angioplasty (6 23 hours) for AMI. RESULTS: Early angioplasty (within 6 hours after onset of chest pain) was attempted in 957 patients (71.3%), while 385 patients (28.7%) had a delayed procedure (6 23 hours after the onset of chest pain). Patients who underwent delayed angioplasty were older (mean age, 62.6 years versus 60.4 years in the early group; p < 0.01) and more often female (36% vs. 28% in the early treatment group; p < 0.001). Patients treated early more frequently demonstrated hemodynamic instability (13.6% versus 9.1% in the late treatment group; p = 0.02), malignant ventricular arrhythmia (8.5% versus 2.9% in the late treatment group; p < 0.001) and cardiogenic shock (6.6% versus 1.8% in the late treatment group; p < 0.001). Overall in-hospital mortality was 63/1,342 (4.7%) with no difference based on early or delayed angioplasty (5.2% versus 3.4%, respectively; p = NS). The composite of the major adverse cardiac events including in-hospital death, reinfarction and emergency bypass surgery did not differ significantly between the early and delayed groups (7.7% versus 5.5%, respectively; p = NS). In multivariable models, delayed angioplasty was not an independent predictor of either in-hospital mortality or major adverse cardiac events. CONCLUSION: Delayed reperfusion does not influence in-hospital clinical outcomes following PTCA for acute myocardial infarction.