Laser procedure for female urinary stress incontinence: A review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing interest in noninvasive treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), including a vaginal laser procedure. In view of a lack of data on this technique, we conducted a non-systematic review of the literature. METHODS: We reviewed studies concerning the laser treatment of SUI from PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Study design, outcome measure, number of participants, procedural complications and results were analyzed. RESULTS: The use of laser treatment of female SUI has been described in 7 prospective, single-center and non-comparative (no control group) studies, all of which used an erbium YAG or a CO2 laser in thermal non-ablative treatment. Primary outcome was ICIQ-UI-SF score in six studies, and pad tests in one study. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 36months. Improvement rates ranged from 62% to 78%. No major adverse events were noted. Minor side effects included sensation of warmth, increased vaginal discharge and transient urge urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of vaginal laser treatment of SUI has not been assessed in comparative studies. More rigorous and adequately powered trials are required to assess the relative benefits and adverse event profile of laser treatment of SUI, as compared with other minimally invasive procedures.

[Postpartum pelvic floor muscle training and abdominal rehabilitation: Guidelines]. / Rééducation périnéale et abdominale dans le post-partum: recommandations.

OBJECTIVE: Provide guidelines for clinical practice concerning postpartum rehabilitation. METHODS: Systematically review of the literature concerning postpartum pelvic floor muscle training and abdominal rehabilitation. RESULTS: Pelvic-floor rehabilitation using pelvic floor muscle contraction exercises is recommended to treat persistent urinary incontinence at 3 months postpartum (grade A), regardless of the type of incontinence. At least 3 guided sessions with a therapist is recommended, associated with pelvic floor muscle exercises at home. This postpartum rehabilitation improves short-term urinary incontinence (1 year) but not long-term (6-12 years). Early pelvic-floor rehabilitation (within 2 months following childbirth) is not recommended (grade C). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation in women presenting with anal incontinence, is associated with a lower prevalence of anal incontinence symptoms in short-term (1 year) (EL3) but not long-term (6 and 12) (EL3). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation is recommended to treat anal incontinence (grade C) but results are not maintained in medium or long term. No randomized trials have evaluated the pelvic-floor rehabilitation in asymptomatic women in order to prevent urinary or anal incontinence in medium or long term. It is therefore not recommended (expert consensus). Rehabilitation supervised by a therapist (physiotherapist or midwife) is not associated with better results than simple advice for voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles to prevent/correct, in short term (6 months), a persistent prolapse 6 weeks postpartum (EL2), whether or not with a levator ani avulsion (EL3). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation is not associated with a decrease in the prevalence of dyspareunia at 1-year follow-up (EL3). Postpartum pelvic-floor rehabilitation guided by a therapist is therefore not recommended to treat or prevent prolapse (grade C) or dyspareunia (grade C). No randomized trials have evaluated the effect of pelvic floor muscle training after an episode of postpartum urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction symptoms, or for the primary prevention of anal incontinence following third-degree anal sphincter tear or in patients presenting with anal incontinence after third-degree anal sphincter tear. The electrostimulation devices used alone were not assessed in this postpartum context (regardless of symptoms); therefore, isolated pelvic floor electrostimulation is not recommended (expert consensus). CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor muscle therapy is recommended for persistent postpartum urinary (grade A) or anal (grade C) incontinence (3 months after delivery).

[Hysterectomy for benign pathology: Guidelines for clinical practice]. / Hystérectomie pour pathologie bénigne: recommandations pour la pratique clinique.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to provide guidelines for clinical practice from the French college of obstetrics and gynecology (CNGOF), based on the best evidence available, concerning hysterectomy for benign pathology. METHODS: Each recommendation for practice was allocated a grade which depends on the level of evidence (guidelines for clinical practice method). RESULTS: Hysterectomy should be performed by a high volume surgeon (>10 procedures of hysterectomy per year) (grade C). Rectal enema stimulant laxatives are not recommended prior to hysterectomy (grade C). It is recommended to carry out vaginal disinfection using povidone iodine solution prior to an hysterectomy (grade B). Antibioprophylaxis is recommended during a hysterectomy, regardless of the surgical route (grade B). The vaginal or the laparoscopic routes are recommended for hysterectomy for benign pathology (grade B), even if the uterus is large and/or the patient is obese (grade C). The choice between these two surgical approaches depends on others parameters, such as the surgeon's experience, the mode of anesthesia and organizational constraints (operative duration and medico economic factors). Hysterectomy by vaginal route is not contraindicated in nulliparous women (grade C) or in women with previous c-section (grade C). No specific technique to achieve hemostasis is recommended with a view to avoid urinary tract injuries (grade C). In the absence of ovarian pathology and personal or family history of breast/ovarian carcinoma, it is recommended to conserve ovaries in pre-menopausal women (grade B). Subtotal hysterectomy is not recommended in order to diminish the risk of per- or postoperative complications (grade B). CONCLUSION: The application of these recommendations should minimize risks associated with hysterectomy.

[Early recurrent miscarriage: Evaluation and management]. / Fausses couches précoces « à répétition ¼ : bilan et prise en charge.

OBJECTIVE: To establish recommendations for early recurrent miscarriages (≥3 miscarriages before 14weeks of amenorrhea). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review, establishing levels of evidence and recommendations for grades of clinical practice. RESULTS: Women evaluation includes the search for a diabetes (grade A), an antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) (grade A), a thyroid dysfunction (grade A), a hyperprolactinemia (grade B), a vitamin deficiency and a hyperhomocysteinemia (grade C), a uterine abnormality (grade C), an altered ovarian reserve (grade C), and a couple chromosome analysis (grade A). For unexplained early recurrent miscarriages, treatment includes folic acid and progesterone supplementation, and a reinsurance policy in the first quarter (grade C). It is recommended to prescribe the combination of aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin when APS (grade A), glycemic control in diabetes (grade A), L-Thyroxine in case of hypothyroidism (grade A) or the presence of thyroid antibodies (grade B), bromocriptine if hyperprolactinemia (grade B), a substitution for vitamin deficiency or hyperhomocysteinemia (grade C), sectionning a uterine septum (grade C) and treating an uterine acquired abnormality (grade C). CONCLUSION: These recommendations should improve the management of couples faced with early recurrent miscarriages.

[Pelvic floor rehabilitation for female urinary incontinence: mechanisms of action]. / Mécanismes d'action de la rééducation périnéale pour l'incontinence urinaire de la femme.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the proven mechanisms of action of pelvic rehabilitation in women presenting with urinary incontinence. METHODS: Review of literature (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database) using following keywords: female; urinary incontinence; overactive bladder syndrome; stress urinary incontinence; bladder training; bladder diary; pelvic floor muscle training; pelvic floor rehabilitation; physiotherapy; cognitive therapies. Among 2906 articles (animal and anatomical studies have been excluded); 66 have been selected because they focused on the evaluation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of pelvic floor rehabilitation concerning female urinary incontinence. RESULTS: Studies on pelvic floor muscles training exercises showed a significant increase in the force of contraction of these muscles and it was correlated with improved scores of urinary incontinence and pad test (coefficient of correlation r ranged from 0.23 to 0.34) for women presenting with stress urinary incontinence. These studies have not observed an increase in the maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) or correction of urethral hypermobility related with the improvement of incontinence after rehabilitation sessions. Studies concerning pelvic floor stimulation observed an increase in the force of contraction of pelvic floor muscles after rehabilitation and a decrease in the intensity of detrusor contractions without changing the MUCP. There is very little data on the precise mechanisms of action of biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy. CONCLUSION: In studies that objectively evaluated the mechanisms of action of pelvic rehabilitation, it was observed that pelvic floor muscles voluntary exercises and electrostimulation resulted an increase in force of contraction of these muscles without changing the MUCP.

[Teaching physician-patient relationship using role-play in obstetrics and gynecology]. / Enseigner la relation médecin-malade en gynécologie obstétrique par des séances de jeu de rôle.

AIM: The aim of this study was to report our experience concerning a role-playing approach for the teaching of physician-patient relationship. METHODS: The role-playing two-day course was designed to be highly interactive for a small group (ten participants). Opinions were gathered by an anonymous structured questionnaire (ten questions) completed by the participants and focused on their view of the play role and the physician-patient relationship. RESULTS: The opinions of the participants were highly positive; all appreciated the courses. The strong emotional involvement was considered beneficial for all of them, sharing emotional aspects of the profession, and usefulness in clarifying opinions on the physician-patient relationship. CONCLUSION: The positive opinions recorded during this experience suggest the benefit of implementing non-conventional educational approaches, such as role-play, to highlight the relative importance of physician-patient relationship in obstetrics and gynecology.