Salivary elemental signature of dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of ionomics studies.

Trace- and macro-chemical elements are crucial for cellular physiological functioning, and their alterations in biological fluids might be associated with an underlying pathological state. Hence, this study aimed to examine and summarize the published literature concerning the application of salivary ionomics for caries diagnosis. An extensive search of studies was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus, without any language and year restriction for answering the following PECO question: "In subjects (i.e., children, adolescents, or adults) with good systematic health, are there any variations in the salivary concentrations of trace- or macro-elements between caries-free (CF) individuals and caries-active (CA) subjects?" A modified version of the QUADOMICS tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. The Review Manager Version 5.4.1. was used for data analyses. The analysis of salivary chemical elements that significantly differed between CF and CA subjects was also performed. Thirty-four studies were included, involving 2299 CA and 1669 CF subjects, having an age range from 3 to 64 years in over 16 countries. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the salivary levels of calcium, phosphorus, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc between CA and CF subjects, suggesting higher levels of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium in CF subjects while higher levels of chloride, magnesium, and zinc in CA patients. Half of the included studies (17/34) were considered high quality, while the remaining half were considered medium quality. Only zinc and chloride ions were found to be higher significantly and consistent in CF and CA subjects, respectively. Conflicting outcomes were observed for all other salivary chemical elements including aluminum, bromine, calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphorus, lead, selenium, and sulfate ions.

Very Long-term Outcomes After Electrofulguration for Antibiotic-refractory Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in a Predominantly Menopausal Cohort of Women.

PURPOSE: Antibiotic-refractory recurrent urinary tract infections are challenging to manage. Prior studies have shown that, in selected patients, electrofulguration of cystitis may disrupt potential nidus of recurrent urinary tract infections. We report on long-term outcomes of electrofulguration in women with at least 5 years of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, we analyzed a cohort of nonneurogenic women with ≥3 symptomatic recurrent urinary tract infections/y and inflammatory lesions on cystoscopy who underwent electrofulguration, excluding those with alternate identifiable etiology for recurrent urinary tract infections or less than 5-year follow-up. Preoperative characteristics, antibiotic regimens, and annual urinary tract infections were reported. Primary outcome was clinical cure (0-1 urinary tract infection/y), improvement (>1 and <3/y) or failure (≥3/y) at last follow-up. Secondary outcomes included need for antibiotics or repeat electrofulguration. A subanalysis was performed for women with >10-year follow-up. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2012, 96 women met study criteria with median age 64. Median follow-up was 11 years (IQR: 10-13.5); 71 women had >10-year follow-up. Prior to electrofulguration, 74% used daily antibiotic suppression, 5% used postcoital prophylaxis, 14% used self-start therapy, and 7% were not on prophylaxis. At last post-electrofulguration visit, 72% of women were cured, 22% improved, and 6% failed. Antibiotic usage decreased post-electrofulguration (P < .05). Five percent were on continuous antibiotics at last follow-up as compared to 74% on continuous antibiotics pre-electrofulguration (McNemar P < .05). Nineteen percent of women underwent a repeat electrofulguration. CONCLUSIONS: In menopausal women with over 5-year follow-up after electrofulguration for antibiotic-refractory recurrent urinary tract infections, there appears to be durable clinical cure and improvement, with decreased need for long-term antibiotics.

Adhesive sonic agitation improves bonding durability to class-II cavity preparation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adhesive sonic agitation on resin-dentin micro-tensile bond strength (µTBS) and interfacial morphology at the gingival wall of class-II cavity preparation. Seventy-two molars with prepared class-II cavities were divided into six groups (n = 12) according to the bonding mode; etch-and-rinse (E&R) or self-etch (SE) and application protocol of the universal adhesive (UA) employed (Clearfil Universal Bond Quick, Kuraray Noritake); following the manufacturer instructions (MI), manual agitation for 20 s (20s), or sonic agitation for 20 s using a modified sonic micro-brush mounted on EndoActivator device, Dentsply Sirona, (sonic). Restored teeth were sectioned into resin-dentin beams and slaps and µTBS was evaluated at 1 week (1w) and after thermocycling (10k). µTBS data were analyzed using the linear mixed-effects modeling with specific contrast (p < 0.05). The resin-dentin interfacial morphology was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope. Adhesive sonic agitation resulted in significantly higher µTBS means in both E&R and SE modes, compared to MI group. The µTBS of MI group showed significant reduction upon aging when applied in SE mode. Sonic agitation was associated with enhanced adhesive infiltration into dentin specially in E&R mode. Sonic agitation of UA using modified sonic micro-brush attached to EndoActivator device significantly improved the resin-dentin µTBS and interfacial morphology at the gingival wall of class-II cavity preparation.

Very long-term follow-up of the anterior vaginal wall suspension procedure for incontinence and/or prolapse repair.

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes of the anterior vaginal wall suspension (AVWS) procedure for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and/or anterior compartment prolapse (POP), with minimum 10-year follow-up. METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, a database of patients with > 10-year follow-up after AVWS for bothersome SUI with early stage anterior compartment prolapse (stage ≤ 2) or symptomatic anterior compartment prolapse (stage > 2) was reviewed. Preoperative evaluation included validated questionnaires [Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-Short Form (IIQ-7), quality of life (QoL)], Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q), and voiding cystourethrography. Follow-up data was based on clinic visits or telephone interviews for patients not seen in the past 2 years. Telephone interviews used validated questionnaires and were conducted by a third party not involved in patient care. Failure was defined as reoperation for SUI or POP. The influence of lost to follow-up (LTF) was also analyzed. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 2008, 161 of 328 patients met study criteria, with follow-up from phone interviews (103) or clinic visits (58). The LTF patients were deceased (52), mentally disabled (5), or unreachable by telephone (110). Median follow-up was 13.5 years (IQR 11.5-17). Type of follow-up (clinic vs. phone) and uterine status (concomitant/prior/no hysterectomy) did not impact reoperation rates. Reoperation occurred in 23/161 (14%) and consisted of sacrocolpopexy (8), anterior colporrhaphy (5), injectable agents (8), fascial sling (2). CONCLUSIONS: The AVWS procedure to restore anterior vaginal support to the bladder neck and bladder base to correct SUI/POP can provide satisfactory and durable results.

Multidimensional outcomes of suburethral synthetic midurethral sling removal.

PURPOSE: To report multidimensional outcomes encompassing pain, dyspareunia, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), following suburethral sling removal (SSR) of synthetic midurethral slings (MUS) placed for female stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively maintained, IRB-approved database of women undergoing SSR at our institution. Demographic data, type of sling, and symptoms along with Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form (UDI-6) scores both before and after SSR were analyzed. Success was defined using several modalities including patient-reported symptoms (ideal outcome) and UDI-6 questionnaire. RESULTS: From 3/2006-2/2017, 443 women underwent SSR of which 230 met study criteria with median overall follow-up of 23 months (mean 30 months). 180/230 (78%) patients reported 3 or more symptoms at presentation. Median most recent post-SSR total UDI-6 score was 38 vs. 50 at baseline (p < 0.0001). By UDI-6, 53% of patients achieved success post-SSR. An ideal outcome was attained in 22/230 (10%) patients. A modified outcome allowing for one minimally invasive anti-incontinence procedure and excluding sexual activity classified 112/230 (49%) patients as successes. CONCLUSIONS: While patients with MUS present with multiple symptoms, following SSR, there is sustained improvement in multiple symptom domains, including pain and urinary incontinence. Allowing for minimally invasive anti-incontinence procedures (not inclusive of subsequent suburethral sling), the rate of success was 49%, which was comparable to that derived from UDI-6 scores (53%).

Outcomes of Macroplastique injections for stress urinary incontinence after suburethral sling removal.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate outcomes following urethral Macroplastique (MPQ) injection in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following suburethral sling removal (SSR) for synthetic sling complications. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, charts of non-neurogenic women with SUI after SSR who underwent MPQ injection(s) and had at least 6 months minimum follow-up were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Demographic data, questionnaire (Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 [UDI-6] and Quality of Life) scores, and pad usage were recorded. Patients were followed with repeat questionnaires and three-dimensional ultrasound evaluating MPQ volume. Success following MPQ was defined as a composite score of a UDI-6 question 3 score of 0 to 1 at last visit and no additional anti-incontinence therapy. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2018, 70 women with mean age 62.7 years met study criteria. At a mean follow-up of 46.4 ± 1.5 months, the success rate after the first MPQ injection was 46%. Following a repeat MPQ injection when indicated, the overall success rate for the entire cohort was 69%. Despite the objective failure, the majority of patients reported subjective improvement (83%) and reduced pad usage (78%). On multivariate analysis: age, body mass index, previous hysterectomy, hormone replacement therapy, type of sling removed and baseline urodynamics (UDS) parameters were not predictors of MPQ failure. Higher parity was a predictor of MPQ failure (hazard ratio = 1.980; P = .032). CONCLUSION: MPQ injection is a durable and effective management option for SUI following SSR, although a second injection may be required to achieve the desired success.

Electrofulguration in the advanced management of antibiotic-refractory recurrent urinary tract infections in women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of electrofulguration in women with recurrent urinary tract infections. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, a retrospective study of women who underwent electrofulguration alone was carried out. All patients had recurrent urinary tract infections defined as three or more urinary tract infections/year, and a preoperative office cystoscopy showing inflammatory lesions, categorized by location: urethra, bladder neck, trigone and beyond the trigone. All lesions were cauterized during outpatient electrofulguration under anesthesia. On 6-month postoperative office cystoscopy, endoscopic success was defined as resolution of all lesions previously seen and no new lesions. The primary outcome was urinary tract infections/year, with urinary tract infection defined as antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection-like symptoms and/or for positive urine culture. Clinical cure was defined as no further urinary tract infections, clinical improvement as less than three urinary tract infections/year, and clinical failure as three or more urinary tract infections/year. RESULTS: Of 95 women who met the study criteria between 2004 and 2016, 62 (65%) were endoscopically successful, and 33 (35%) were endoscopic failures based on postoperative cystoscopy. Among all patients, over a median follow-up period of 4.9 years, the median number of urinary tract infections/year was 0.8. Endoscopically successful patients had fewer urinary tract infections/year compared with endoscopic failures (0.6 vs 0.9, P = 0.03). Clinically, 14 (15%) patients were cured, 69 (73%) were improved and 12 (13%) failed. Compared with clinically improved patients, clinical failures were more likely to have infections with multiple organisms (92% vs 35%, P < 0.001) and highly resistant organisms (92% vs 23%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, nearly two-thirds of women with recurrent urinary tract infection can be successfully treated with electrofulguration, and >80% experience long-term clinical cure or improvement in urinary tract infections.

Challenges of Multidimensional Outcome Reporting after Suburethral Mid Urethral Sling Removal.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine the types and frequency of presenting symptoms in women undergoing suburethral mid urethral sling removal to improve outcome reporting after removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional review board approval women who underwent suburethral mid urethral sling removal of 1 mid urethral sling were evaluated for their presenting symptoms and correlation with the UDI-6 (Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form) questionnaire. Demographic data were recorded. Patient reported presenting symptoms were categorized into 5 domains, including storage symptoms, voiding symptoms, pain, recurrent urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence. The UDI-6 was reviewed preoperatively and 6 to 12 months postoperatively. We also calculated an ideal outcome, defined as resolution of incontinence, pain, resumption of sexual activity and no need for further anti-incontinence procedures. RESULTS: A total of 230 women from 2006 to 2017 met study inclusion criteria, including 116 who completed the UDI-6 postoperatively. Of the women 80% had 3 or more presenting symptoms with pain as the most common symptom. The most common combination of symptoms was all 5 domains, which was noted in 46 of the 230 women (20%). An increasing number of symptoms correlated with the total preoperative UDI-6 score. Symptom domains were associated with the corresponding UDI-6 subdomain questions. Domains not covered by the UDI-6, ie recurrent urinary tract infections and dyspareunia, accounted for 27% of reported symptoms. Due to limited data on sexual activity an ideal outcome was reached in 10% of patients but this rate was 40% after sexual activity information was excluded. CONCLUSIONS: In this series the presenting symptoms were manifold in women undergoing suburethral mid urethral sling removal. The UDI-6 questionnaire correlated with many of these complaints. It may be used in outcome analysis in conjunction with self-reported symptoms.

Management of Urinary Incontinence Following Suburethral Sling Removal.

PURPOSE: We evaluated urinary incontinence outcomes following synthetic suburethral sling removal in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively maintained database of 360 consecutive women who underwent transvaginal suburethral sling removal from 2005 to 2015. We excluded patients with neurogenic bladder, nonsynthetic or multiple slings, prior mesh for prolapse, concomitant surgery during sling excision, urethral erosion or fistula, postoperative retention or less than 6-month followup. Demographics, sling type, indications for removal, time to removal and patient reported outcomes were recorded. Outcomes were stratified by incontinence type, including stress predominant, urge predominant and mixed urinary incontinence. Subsequent management was evaluated, including observation, minimally invasive outpatient interventions (bulking agents, neuromodulation or onabotulinumtoxinA) or more invasive surgery (autologous fascial sling or bladder suspension). No patients elected to receive a subsequent synthetic sling. Success was defined by responses to UDI-6 (Urogenital Distress Inventory) questions 2 and 3, self-reported satisfaction with continence at the last visit and no further intervention. RESULTS: Of the 99 patients who met inclusion criteria 27 denied any subjective leakage after suburethral sling removal alone while 72 experienced some degree of incontinence after removal. Stress predominant urinary incontinence occurred in 26 patients, which was persistent in 7 and de novo in 19, urge predominant incontinence was noted in 14, which was persistent in 6 and de novo in 8, and mixed urinary incontinence occurred in 32, which was persistent in 13 and de novo in 19. Mean followup was 23 months (range 6 to 114). The success rate following a single minimally invasive intervention after suburethral sling removal was 81%, 86% and 75% in patients with stress predominant, urge predominant and mixed urinary incontinence, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo suburethral sling removal may show urinary control, or de novo or persistent incontinence with a higher predilection for stress predominant or mixed urinary incontinence. However, after a single minimally invasive intervention following suburethral sling removal the success rate reached 75% to 86%.

Risk of Prolapse Recurrence after Native Tissue Anterior Vaginal Suspension Procedure with Intermediate to Long-Term Followup.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse after native tissue repair for stage 2 anterior prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively maintained, institutional review board approved database of women with symptomatic stage 2 anterior prolapse who underwent vaginal repair with anterior vaginal wall suspension between 1996 and 2014. Women with concurrent pelvic organ prolapse repair or hysterectomy or without 1 year followup were excluded from analysis. Failure was defined as stage 2 or greater prolapse recurrence on examination or reoperation for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse. Outcome measures included validated questionnaires (Urogenital Distress Inventory-short form, quality of life), physical examination, standing voiding cystourethrogram at 6 months postoperatively, further surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in other compartments or for secondary stress urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 121 women met the study inclusion criteria with a mean followup of 5.8 ± 3.7 years. Prolapse recurrence rates were isolated anterior 7.4%, isolated apical 10.7%, isolated posterior 8.3% and multiple compartments 19%. Surgery for recurrent prolapse included anterior compartment 3.3% at 1.4 ± 1.0 years, apical 9.9% at 2.8 ± 3.0 years, posterior compartment 5.8% at 2.0 ± 1.0 years and multiple compartments 17.4% at 3.2 ± 3.3 years. There was a 1.6% rate of intraoperative complications and a 5.7% rate of 30-day complications (all Clavien I). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior vaginal wall suspension for symptomatic stage 2 anterior prolapse offers a native tissue vaginal repair with minimal morbidity and a low anterior recurrence rate at intermediate to long-term followup. However, 33% of patients required secondary prolapse compartment procedures from 0.6 to 13 years later, highlighting the importance of long-term followup.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections Due to Bacterial Persistence or Reinfection in Women-Does This Factor Impact Upper Tract Imaging Findings?

PURPOSE: We compared the rates of upper tract imaging abnormalities of recurrent urinary tract infections due to bacterial persistence or reinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional review board approval we reviewed a prospectively maintained database of women with documented recurrent urinary tract infections (3 or more per year) and trigonitis. We searched for demographic data, urine culture findings and findings on radiology interpreted upper tract imaging, including renal ultrasound, computerized tomography or excretory urogram. Patients with irretrievable images, absent or incomplete urine culture results for review, no imaging performed, an obvious source of recurrent urinary tract infections or a history of pyelonephritis were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: Of 289 women from 2006 to 2014 with symptomatic recurrent urinary tract infections 116 met study inclusion criteria. Mean ± SD age was 65.0 ± 14.4 years. Of the women 95% were white and 81% were postmenopausal. Almost a third were sexually active and none had prolapse stage 2 or greater. Of the 116 women 48 (41%) had persistent and 68 (59%) had reinfection recurrent urinary tract infection. Imaging included ultrasound in 52 patients, computerized tomography in 26, ultrasound and computerized tomography in 31, and excretory urogram with ultrasound/computerized tomography in 7. Of the total of 58 imaging findings in 55 women 57 (98%) were noncontributory. One case (0.9%) of mild hydronephrosis was noted in the persistent recurrent urinary tract infection group but it was not related to any clinical parameters. Escherichia coli was the dominant bacteria in 71% of persistent and 47% of reinfection recurrent urinary tract infections in the most recently reported urine culture. CONCLUSIONS: This study reaffirms that upper tract imaging is not indicated for bacterial reinfection, recurrent urinary tract infections. However, the same conclusion can be extended to recurrent urinary tract infections secondary to bacterial persistence, thus, questioning the routine practice of upper tract studies in white postmenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections and trigonitis.

Urodynamics for incontinence after midurethral sling removal.

INTRODUCTION: We reviewed the role of urodynamics (UDS) in the management of women with incontinence following mid-urethral sling removal (MUSR). METHODS: Following IRB approval, women from a longitudinal database who had persistent or recurrent urinary incontinence (UI) after MUSR, desired further therapy, and subsequently underwent UDS were reviewed. Women with neurogenic bladder, obstructive symptoms without UI, urethra-vaginal fistula, anterior compartment prolapse >Stage 2, or those who had concomitant autologous sling surgery at the time of MUSR were excluded. Interval time between MUSR and UDS, UDS findings, and UI management after UDS were recorded. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2013, 71 of 246 women had UDS after MUSR for persistent or recurrent UI. For the 54 women in the final analysis, mean time between tape removal and UDS was 12.4 months (range: 4-65). UDS demonstrated incontinence in 78% of patients: stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in 19 (35%), detrusor overactivity incontinence (DOI) in 6 (11%), and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) in 17 (32%). On pressure-flow studies, the following voiding patterns were demonstrated: normal voiding (39), valsalva voiding (6), obstruction (2), underactive detrusor (1), no voiding records (6). UDS storage and emptying data were used in subsequent symptom-based patient counseling for treatment planning. Urethral bulking agent was the most commonly chosen management (43%). CONCLUSION: Our current guidelines for UDS in women after incontinence procedures and MUSR are currently based on a low level of evidence. This study reinforces the role of UDS to guide therapy for UI after MUSR. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:939-943, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prolapse Recurrence after Transvaginal Mesh Removal.

PURPOSE: We determined the rate of pelvic organ prolapse recurrence after transvaginal mesh removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional review board approval a longitudinally collected database of women undergoing transvaginal mesh removal for complications after transvaginal mesh placement with at least 1 year minimum followup was queried for pelvic organ prolapse recurrence. Recurrent prolapse was defined as greater than stage 1 on examination or the need for reoperation at the site of transvaginal mesh removal. Outcome measures were based on POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System) at the last visit. Patients were grouped into 3 groups, including group 1--recurrent prolapse in the same compartment as transvaginal mesh removal, 2--persistent prolapse and 3--prolapse in a compartment different than transvaginal mesh removal. RESULTS: Of 73 women 52 met study inclusion criteria from 2007 to 2013, including 73% who presented with multiple indications for transvaginal mesh removal. The mean interval between insertion and removal was 45 months (range 10 to 165). Overall mean followup after transvaginal mesh removal was 30 months (range 12 to 84). In group 1 (recurrent prolapse) the rate was 15% (6 of 40 patients). Four women underwent surgery for recurrent prolapse at a mean 7 of months (range 5 to 10). Two patients elected observation. The rate of persistent prolapse (group 2) was 23% (12 of 52 patients). Three women underwent prolapse reoperation at a mean of 10 months (range 8 to 12). In group 3 (de novo/different compartment prolapse) the rate was 6% (3 of 52 patients). One woman underwent surgical repair at 52 months. CONCLUSIONS: At a mean 2.5-year followup 62% of patients (32 of 52) did not have recurrent or persistent prolapse after transvaginal mesh removal and 85% (44 of 52) did not undergo any further procedure for prolapse. Specifically for pelvic organ prolapse in the same compartment as transvaginal mesh removal 12% of patients had recurrence, of whom 8% underwent prolapse repair.

Mini-slings can cause complications.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Single-incision mini-slings (SIMS) have been advocated to avoid the complications of transobturator and retropubic midurethral slings. We present a series of SIMS complications and their outcome after vaginal removal at a tertiary care center. METHODS: Following Institutional Review Board approval, a prospective database of consecutive women who underwent SIMS removal for complications and had a minimum follow-up of 6 months was reviewed. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed by main symptom category. In addition, an ideal outcome or cure was defined as continent, pain-free, sexually active if active preoperatively, and not requiring additional medical or surgical therapy. RESULTS: Of 23 women, 17 met inclusion criteria. Presenting symptoms were varied but dominated by incontinence (14), pelvic pain (11), dyspareunia (10), and obstructive urinary symptoms/urinary retention (5), with 76 % presenting with more than one complaint. Type of SIMS included MiniArc™ (11), Solyx™ (4), and TVT-Secur™ (2). At a mean follow-up of 17 ± 9 (range 7-44) months after SIMS removal, six (35 %) women were cured of their presenting complaint. Among the 11 women with pelvic pain, 6 had resolution of pain, 2 improvement, and 3 persistent pain. Six of seven women who were sexually active beforehand resumed sexual activity. Dyspareunia persisted in three women. Of 14 with incontinence, 8 had cure or improvement, and obstructive symptoms resolved in 4 of 5. CONCLUSIONS: This series outlines several complications with SIMS, similar to what has been reported with other suburethral synthetic tapes. Therefore, caution is required and patient counseling is important.

Are women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse treated by open mesh sacrocolpopexy at risk of secondary incisional hernia?

INTRODUCTION: Our purpose was to determine whether vaginal hernia is a predisposing factor for incisional hernia (IH) in a cohort of women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) who underwent corrective repair by open mesh sacrocolpopexy (MSC) and had long-term follow-up to determine their rate of subsequent IH. METHODS: Following IRB approval, the charts of women entered into a longitudinal database and who underwent open MSC at a tertiary institution were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, MSC and IH details, and long-term outcome. Patients were excluded if the follow-up after MSC was < 1 year. Data were reviewed by a neutral investigator who was not involved in patient care (FA). RESULTS: From 1999 to 2012, 75 of 88 women met inclusion criteria, with mean follow-up of 65 (48-84) months. Thirteen were either lost to follow-up or had follow-up < 1 year. Seven women underwent symptomatic IH repair, with a mean onset of IH diagnosis after MSC at 18 (range 8-72) months. Five repairs were done via an open approach, and two were repaired laparoscopically. No IH recurrence was noted at a mean of 41 (range 14-75) months after IH repair. No risk factors were identified in the IH group compared with those who did not form a secondary IH. CONCLUSIONS: In this longitudinal series, IH after open MSC occurred in 9.3%, a rate comparable with that reported in women undergoing abdominal procedures through midline or Pfannenstiel incisions.

Anterior vaginal wall suspension procedure for moderate bladder and uterine prolapse as a method of uterine preservation.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with anterior vaginal wall suspension for moderate anterior vaginal compartment prolapse and uterine descent less than stage 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on patients who underwent anterior vaginal wall suspension with uterine preservation by hysteropexy and had a 1-year minimum followup were extracted from a long-term, prospective, institutional review board approved, surgical prolapse database. The indication for uterine preservation was uterine descent not beyond the distal third of the vagina with traction with the patient under anesthesia, and negative Pap smear and pelvic ultrasound preoperatively. The upper suture of the anterior vaginal wall suspension secures the cardinal ligament complex, allowing for uterine suspension once the suture is transferred suprapubically. Failure was defined as prolapse recurrence greater than stage 2 on physical examination or the need for reoperation for uterine descent. Outcome measures at serial intervals included validated questionnaires, physical examination, standing voiding cystourethrogram at 6 months postoperatively and complications. RESULTS: From May 1996 to March 2012, 52 of 739 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean followup was 55 months (range 12 to 175, median 44). Mean patient age was 62 years (range 38 to 81), mean body mass index was 26.7 kg/m(2) (range 18.3 to 49.4) and mean parity was 2.7. There were no transfusions or intraoperative complications. Overall 7 (13%) patients underwent subsequent hysterectomy for uterine prolapse recurrence at 7 months to 6 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior vaginal wall suspension procedure offers a simple, mesh-free surgical alternative with acceptable long-term followup in patients with moderate uterine prolapse who wish for uterine preservation. However, patients should be appropriately counseled about the low risk of subsequent hysterectomy.

Outcome of transvaginal mesh and tape removed for pain only.

PURPOSE: Because there is reluctance to operate for pain, we evaluated midterm outcomes of vaginal mesh and synthetic suburethral tape removed for pain as the only indication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After receiving institutional review board approval we reviewed a prospective database of women without a neurogenic condition who underwent surgery for vaginal mesh or suburethral tape removal with a focus on pain as the single reason for removal and a minimum 6-month followup. The primary outcome was pain level assessed by a visual analog scale (range 0 to 10) at baseline and at each subsequent visit with the score at the last visit used for analysis. Parameters evaluated included demographics, mean time to presentation and type of mesh or tape inserted. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2013, 123 patients underwent surgical removal of mesh (69) and suburethral tape (54) with pain as the only indication. Mean followup was 35 months (range 6 to 59) in the tape group and 22 months (range 6 to 47) in the mesh group. The visual analog scale score decreased from a mean preoperative level of 7.9 to 0.9 postoperatively (p = 0.0014) in the mesh group and from 5.3 to 1.5 (p = 0.00074) in the tape group. Pain-free status, considered a score of 0, was achieved in 81% of tape and 67% of mesh cases, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: When pain is the only indication for suburethral tape or vaginal mesh removal, a significant decrease in the pain score can be durably expected after removal in most patients at midterm followup.

Long-term Outcomes With Macroplastique in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence Secondary to Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique (MPQ)) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) secondary to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) using validated questionnaires. METHODS: Following IRB approval, charts of non-neurogenic women with SUI secondary to ISD who underwent MPQ injection were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. ISD was defined as positive stress test with a well-supported urethra and low Valsalva leak point pressure when available. Excluded were women with follow-up <5years. Baseline data included validated questionnaire scores (UDI-6 question 3 (0-3), VAS Quality of Life, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7)) and urodynamic study findings. Patients were followed with same questionnaires and three-dimensional ultrasound evaluating volume/configuration of MPQ. All three-dimensional ultrasound measurements were performed by the same imaging team blinded to clinical outcomes. Outcomes were evaluated in four groups based on prior SUI treatment. Success was defined as UDI-6 question 3 score of 0-1 and not requiring additional anti-incontinence therapy at the last visit after the last MPQ injection. RESULTS: From April 2011-December 2016, 106 patients (median age 67) met study criteria. Median follow-up time was 7.4years. Median MPQ injected was 5 mL. Overall success was 43%, with 54% successful after one injection and 46% requiring ≥2 injections. Across all groups, patients had improvement in Quality of Life and IIQ-7 Question 7 (frustration). Among the failure group, 17% opted for a secondary autologous sling procedure. CONCLUSION: MPQ demonstrated long-term favorable outcomes in a subset of women with SUI secondary to ISD.

No-Cap Flowable Bulk-Fill Composite: Physico-Mechanical Assessment.

(1) Background: A newer class of flowable bulk-fill resin-based composite (BF-RBC) materials requires no capping layer (Palfique Bulk flow, PaBF, Tokuyama Dental, Tokyo, Japan). The objective of this study was to assess the flexural strength, microhardness, surface roughness, and color stability of PaBF compared to two BF-RBCs with different consistencies. (2) Methods: PaBF, SDR Flow composite (SDRf: Charlotte, NC, USA) and One Bulk fill (OneBF: 3M, St. Paul, MN, USA) were evaluated for flexural strength with a universal testing machine, surface microhardness using a pyramidal Vickers indenter, and surface roughness using a high-resolution three-dimensional non-contact optical profiler, a and clinical spectrophotometer to measure the color stability of each BF-RBC material. (3) Results: OneBF presented statistically higher flexural strength and microhardness than PaBF or SDRf. Both PaBF and SDRf presented significantly less surface roughness compared with OneBF. Water storage significantly reduced the flexural strength and increased the surface roughness of all tested materials. Only SDRf showed significant color change after water storage. (4) Conclusions: The physico-mechanical properties of PaBF do not support its use without a capping layer in the stress bearing areas. PaBF showed less flexural strength compared with OneBF. Therefore, its use should be limited to a small restoration with minimal occlusal stresses.