Importance of internal vaginal pelvic floor muscle exams for women with external lumbar/hip/pelvic girdle pain.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The relationship between external lumbar, hip, and/or pelvic girdle pain and internal vaginal pelvic floor myofascial pain is not well described. We assessed this relationship in a cohort of adult women. METHODS: The cohort included women ≥ 18 years old who received care for external lumbar, hip, and/or pelvic girdle pain (reported or elicited on physical examination) who then underwent internal vaginal myofascial levator ani pain assessments, in a tertiary care Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery pelvic pain clinic over a 2-year period (2013 and 2014). RESULTS: The cohort of 177 women had an average age of 44.9±16.0 years, an average body mass index of 27.2±7.0 kg/m2, and the majority (79.2%) were white. Most patients presented with a chief complaint of pelvic (51.4%), vulvovaginal (18.6%), and/or lumbar (15.3%) pain. Women who reported symptoms of lumbar, hip, or pelvic girdle pain were more likely to have pain on vaginal pelvic floor muscle examination than women without this history (OR, 7.24; 95% CI, 1.95-26.93, p=0.003). The majority (85.9%) of women had bilateral internal vaginal pelvic floor myofascial pain on examination. CONCLUSIONS: Although participants did not describe "vaginal pelvic floor myofascial pain," the high detection rate for internal vaginal pelvic floor myofascial pain on clinical examination highlights an opportunity to improve treatment planning. These findings suggest that the vaginal pelvic floor muscle examination should be part of the assessment of all women with lumbar, hip, and/or pelvic girdle pain. The relationship between this finding and clinical outcomes following directed treatment warrants additional study.

Cervical carcinoma in the setting of uterovaginal prolapse: comparing standard versus tailored management.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer in the setting of uterovaginal prolapse is exceedingly rare. Altered anatomy can complicate treatment of underlying cancer. We first present a rare case of cervical cancer with invasion of uterovaginal prolapse as well as a systematic review of similar reported cases in the literature. The objective of this study was to compare the practice patterns and outcomes regarding cervical cancer with invasion of procidentia. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of online databases (PubMed, Embase, Medline and the Cochrane Library) from 1990 to 2018 of all the cases of cervical cancer associated with stage III-IV uterovaginal prolapse. Patient demographics, pathology, surgical management, chemotherapy, radiation and disease-free survival were compared. RESULTS: Fifteen reported cases of cervical cancer in the setting of procidentia were identified (squamous cell carcinoma-14, clear cell carcinoma-1). The mean age at diagnosis was 74 years (range 54-89). Thirteen percent (n = 2) of cases presented with FIGO stage I disease, 67% (n = 10) with stage II, and 20% (n = 3) with stage III. All cases had stage III-IV uterovaginal prolapse. 73% (11) were treated surgically including nine patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy. Among patients who underwent primary surgery, 7% (1) received adjuvant chemotherapy, 33% (5) adjuvant radiotherapy and 21% (3) both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. 33% (5) of surgical cases included procedures to address the pelvic organ prolapse (colpoclesis (n = 3), uterosacral suspension (n = 1) and anterior posterior repair (n = 1)). Two patients died from the disease within 12 months, one patient died from other causes within 1 month, and the remainder of patients were free of disease at last reported follow-up (Table 1). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer in the setting of stage III-IV uterovaginal prolapse can be managed successfully with standard treatment strategies (primary surgery with adjuvant therapy as necessary versus chemoradiation). When patients are surgical candidates, techniques to address the underlying prolapse can be used for symptomatic improvement.

Screening for Microscopic Hematuria in a Urogynecologic Population.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this were to determine the correlation of greater than or equal to 3 red blood cells per high-power field (RBCs/HPF) with a positive urine dipstick for blood and to identify clinically relevant factors than can influence this relationship. METHODS: The charts of women with positive blood urine dipsticks were reviewed from August 2012 to August 2013. The cohort of women was divided into 2 groups; those with urine with greater than or equal to 3 RBCs/HPF on microscopy and those without. Relevant clinical and demographic variables were extracted from the electronic medical record. Data analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS: Most of the 203 patients eligible for analysis were Caucasian, and the total cohort had a mean age of approximately 62.8 years. Microscopy confirmed greater than or equal to 3 RBCs/HPF in 25.6% of the urine samples. A dipstick finding of moderate or large blood was significantly more likely to have greater than or equal to 3 RBCs/HPF on univariate and multivariable analyses (P < 0.001). Factors significantly associated with greater than or equal to 3 RBCs/HPF were increasing age, recurrent urinary tract infections, and urinary specific gravity of greater than 1.010. CONCLUSIONS: Lower urinary specific gravities appear to be associated with underestimating microhematuria, likely owing to the underrepresentation of the true number of red blood cells. Urine dipstick indicators of moderate or large blood increase the likelihood the microscopy samples demonstrated greater than or equal to 3 RBCs/HPF. These findings suggest that clarification of microhematuria detection and evaluation guidelines should be considered, given both important clinical and economic consequences.

Patients' Knowledge of and Attitude Toward Robotic Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

OBJECTIVES: Robotic sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has increased, along with marketing and media coverage. It is unknown whether this exposure influences patients' opinions on POP repair. This study describes the preference for and knowledge of robotic surgery in women with POP. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey of new patients presenting with POP at 7 academic sites. Subjects had no prior surgical counseling. A self-administered questionnaire was designed to investigate robotic surgery knowledge, preference, and exposure. Subjects expressed their preferred route of POP repair (robotic, vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic, or no preference). Knowledge was determined by the number of correctly answered questions (range, 0-7). Perception of robotic surgery was compared with other surgical routes. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six subjects were included. Most had no surgical preference (66.3%), whereas 27.3% preferred nonrobotic and 6.4% preferred robotic routes. The mean knowledge score was 2.3 (SD, 1.7). Women preferring robotic surgery were more likely to view it as faster than laparoscopic surgery (P < 0.001). These same subjects did not perceive any advantages for robotic surgery related to blood loss, pain, and organ injury (P > 0.05). Most reported no prior exposure to robotic surgery information (56.2%) or advertisements (65.2%). Those with prior exposure most frequently obtained information via the Internet and encountered hospital advertisements. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of women with POP reported no preference for robotic approach to POP surgery. Knowledge about robotic surgery was low, even among subjects who expressed preference. Comprehensive counseling may help patients make informed decisions even when surgical preferences exist.

Ready or Not? Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Preparedness for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Training.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) program directors (PDs) and obstetrics and gynecology (OG) FMPRS fellows regarding the adequacy of OG residency as preparation for FPMRS fellowship. METHODS: Electronic invitations to complete a modified version of a validated survey were extended to FPMRS PDs and their second- and third-year OG FPMRS fellows who had just completed their first or second year of FPMRS fellowship, respectively. The survey consisted of 5 domains; qualitative questions and recommendations for improvement were elicited. RESULTS: Program directors (33%, 16/48) and second-year (64%, 29/45) and third-year (53%, 26/49) fellows completed the surveys. While incoming fellows were deemed professional, serious surgical skill competency issues were identified: (1) PDs felt they could not leave their incoming fellow to operate independently on a major case for 30 minutes while in the next room compared with fellow responses (PDs: 33.3% vs second-year fellows: 67.9%; P = 0.03); (2) no PDs felt their fellows could suture laparoscopically; and (3) there was group consensus that incoming fellows were not proficient at cystoscopy (PDs: 40.0%, second-year fellows: 39.3%, third-year fellows: 32.0%; P = 0.82). Mostly, fellows could clinically evaluate and manage patients. Program directors thought their fellows had better understanding of statistics than fellows believed of themselves (P = 0.05). Increasing FPMRS exposure during residency was favored as the method to better prepare OG residents for fellowship. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative and emerging qualitative outcomes highlight that fellows are professional and are largely able to evaluate and care for patients but that achieving independence, surgical skills, and scholarship requires further training.

Knowledge of obesity and its impact on reproductive health outcomes among urban women.

This prospective survey study assessed the knowledge of reproductive outcomes that are affected by obesity among women in an urban community. A total of 207 women attending a community fair on the south side of Chicago participated in the study. A survey assessing knowledge of BMI and of the effects of obesity on general, cardiometabolic and reproductive health outcomes was administered. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 70 years (mean ± SD, 48.6 ± 12.9 years) and ranged in BMI from 17.3 to 52.1 kg/m(2) (mean ± SD, 31.2 ± 6.7 kg/m(2)). The following percentages of women were aware that obesity increases the risk of miscarriage (37.5 %), irregular periods (35.8 %), infertility (33.9 %), cesarean section (30.8 %), breast cancer (28.0 %), birth defects (23.7 %), stillbirth (14.1 %), and endometrial cancer (18.1 %). This study found that while women in an urban community are aware of the cardiometabolic risks associated with obesity, they demonstrate limited knowledge of the effects of obesity on reproductive outcomes. Public education is needed to increase knowledge and awareness of the reproductive consequences of obesity. Women of reproductive age may be uniquely responsive to obesity education and weight loss intervention.

Infertility patients' knowledge of the effects of obesity on reproductive health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the infertility patient knowledge of reproductive outcomes affected by obesity. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective survey study of 150 female infertility patients in an academic medical center. Subjects were administered the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Short Form and a questionnaire on the health risks of obesity, and investigators obtained height and weight measurements. RESULTS: Subjects' age ranged from 21 to 45 years (mean 34.8 ± 4.94 SD) and body mass index ranged from 17.9 to 62.9 kg/m(2) (mean 26.5 ± 7.54 SD). The following percentages of women were aware that obesity increases the risk of infertility (82.7%), irregular periods (70.0%), miscarriage (60.7%), cesarean section (48.7%), breast cancer (38.7%), birth defects (29.3%), stillbirth (22.7%), and endometrial cancer (20.7%). CONCLUSION: Among women with infertility, there is limited knowledge of reproductive outcomes affected by obesity. Public education is needed to increase awareness. Women undergoing fertility treatment are motivated for reproductive success and may be uniquely receptive to obesity education and weight loss intervention.