Pelvic organ prolapse recurrence after apical prolapse repair: does obesity matter?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized obesity increases the risk of pelvic organ prolapse recurrence (POP-R) after primary apical prolapse repair. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 353 women who underwent primary apical prolapse surgery from 2011 to 2016. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to generate hazard ratios (HR) for association between obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and POP-R (leading edge > 0), adjusting for potential confounders. Given the potential for outcome ascertainment bias due to differential loss to follow-up, a sensitivity analysis was performed assuming all patients with < 6 months of follow-up developed POP-R. RESULTS: Ten percent of women developed POP-R. The median follow-up time was 7 months (range 1.4, 63.9). Twenty-four percent of patients were Black and 70% were White; 37% were obese. After controlling for confounders, obese women did not have an increased risk of POP-R (aHR 1.39; 95% CI 0.67, 2.86, p = 0.38). Although only marginally statistically significant, patients who developed POP-R were more likely to be current smokers (aHR 3.48, 95% CI 1.14, 10.67; p = 0.06) or previous smokers (aHR 1.86, 95% CI 0.82, 4.24, p = 0.06) in comparison to non-smokers. Sensitivity analysis showed loss to follow-up had the potential to influence our results. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was not a risk factor for POP-R in our cohort. Larger, prospective studies with longer postoperative follow-up time are needed to fully elucidate the relationship between obesity and POP-R.

Surgical Outcomes in Benign Gynecologic Surgery Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic (SOCOVID study).

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of perioperative coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in women undergoing benign gynecologic surgery and to evaluate perioperative complication rates in patients with active, previous, or no previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. DESIGN: A multicenter prospective cohort study. SETTING: Ten institutions in the United States. PATIENTS: Patients aged >18 years who underwent benign gynecologic surgery from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, were included. All patients were followed up from the time of surgery to 10 weeks postoperatively. Those with intrauterine pregnancy or known gynecologic malignancy were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Benign gynecologic surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the incidence of perioperative COVID-19 infections, which was stratified as (1) previous COVID-19 infection, (2) preoperative COVID-19 infection, and (3) postoperative COVID-19 infection. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and mortality after surgery and predictors for postoperative COVID-19 infection. If surgery was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reason for postponement and any subsequent adverse event was recorded. Of 3423 patients included for final analysis, 189 (5.5%) postponed their gynecologic surgery during the pandemic. Forty-three patients (1.3% of total cases) had a history of COVID-19. The majority (182, 96.3%) had no sequelae attributed to surgical postponement. After hospital discharge to 10 weeks postoperatively, 39 patients (1.1%) became infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The mean duration of time between hospital discharge and the follow-up positive COVID-19 test was 22.1 ± 12.3 days (range, 4-50 days). Eleven (31.4% of postoperative COVID-19 infections, 0.3% of total cases) of the newly diagnosed COVID-19 infections occurred within 14 days of hospital discharge. On multivariable logistic regression, living in the Southwest (adjusted odds ratio, 6.8) and single-unit increase in age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2) increased the odds of postoperative COVID-19 infection. Perioperative complications were not significantly higher in patients with a history of positive COVID-19 than those without a history of COVID-19, although the mean duration of time between previous COVID-19 diagnosis and surgery was 97 days (14 weeks). CONCLUSION: In this large multicenter prospective cohort study of benign gynecologic surgeries, only 1.1% of patients developed a postoperative COVID-19 infection, with 0.3% of infection in the immediate 14 days after surgery. The incidence of postoperative complications was not different in those with and without previous COVID-19 infections.

Experience using multielectrode cardiac catheters for detection of electrophysiologic activity of the human urinary bladder.

AIM: To determine the feasibility of commercially available multielectrode cardiac electrophysiology catheters to detect electrical activity in the human bladder. METHODS: Ten subjects requiring cystoscopy for the evaluation of lower urinary tract pathology were eligible for participation in our study. After routine rigid cystoscopy with a 70° cystoscope, various multielectrode cardiac electrophysiology catheters were introduced into the bladder. One of three catheters with different electrode configurations was used per subject. Electroanatomical images of the bladder were created and spontaneous electrical activity was recorded. Subjective response to electrical stimuli delivered across the electrodes (20 mA at 5 ms pulse width, rate 100 ms) was also recorded. The responses were qualitatively compared with that from a prior study. RESULTS: Electrical activity recorded at the dome of the bladder was less than 0.5 mV and low frequency. Myopotentials resembling smooth muscle were detected at electrodes near or within the trigone. A sensory response was reported with the use of pacing stimuli, with the sensation in the trigone being reported more often than the dome of the bladder. Stimulation in the trigone triggered sensory urgency and voiding in a patient with a history of overactive bladder. CONCLUSIONS: The use of multielectrode catheters to measure human bladder electrophysiologic activity is feasible. Issues with noise reduction still exist, though to a lesser extent with the multielectrode basket design than simple quadripolar one. Sensory responses to pacing stimuli may be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the future.

Urinary neurotrophic peptides in postmenopausal women with and without overactive bladder.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the expression of urinary nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), substance P (SP), and calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) in women with and without overactive bladder (OAB). We sought to determine factors associated with higher expression of these neuropeptides. METHODS: Participants with OAB and age-matched controls were enrolled. Symptom severity was assessed with validated questionnaires. Urinary neurotrophin levels, symptom scores, and clinical data were compared between the groups. Multivariate analysis determined independent factors associated with urinary neurotrophin levels. RESULTS: Sixty-seven women (38 OAB, 29 controls) were included. Women with OAB and controls were similar in age, race, body mass index, parity, and smoking status. Women with OAB were more likely to report a history of pelvic pain and pelvic surgery. Neurotrophic factor levels normalized to urinary creatinine did not differ between the groups. Increasing age was associated with greater urinary levels of BDNF and NGF (ß = 0.23, 95%CI 0.11-0.34 and 0.75, 95%CI 0.17-1.33, respectively, P < 0.02). Higher urinary NGF was associated with increasing BMI (ß = 0.81, 95%CI 0.05-1.57, P = 0.04) while pain was associated with elevated urinary SP (ß = 0.21, 95%CI 0.09-0.33, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data does not support a relationship between urinary neurotrophin levels and OAB in age-matched postmenopausal women. Further research is necessary to elucidate the role of urinary neurotrophins in the diagnosis and management of OAB. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:740-744, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Concomitant apical suspensory procedures in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse in the United States in 2011.

INTRODUCTION: Although the surgical restoration of apical support has been shown to decrease reoperation rates, it is unclear whether this has been incorporated into current practice. The aims of this study were to determine the rate of concomitant apical suspensory procedures in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse undergoing surgical repair in 2011 and to identify associated factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for women with a primary diagnosis of cystocele who underwent prolapse repair in 2011. The study cohort was analyzed for demographics, concomitant procedures, and hospital characteristics. The rate of apical suspensory procedures was determined. Factors potentially associated with receiving concomitant apical suspensory procedure were evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 2,900 women in the database had a primary diagnosis of cystocele and underwent surgical prolapse repair in 2011. 925 (31.9 %) subjects underwent a concomitant apical suspensory procedure. The mean age in the study cohort was 61.9 ± 12.8 years. Hysterectomies were performed in 11.1 % of subjects. 61.1 % were performed vaginally, 26.5 % laparoscopically, and 12.5 % abdominally. On multivariate analysis, age greater than 50 years, Caucasian race, concomitant hysterectomy, and an urban teaching hospital setting were independently associated with receiving concomitant apical suspensory procedure in 2011. CONCLUSIONS: Despite evidence that the restoration of apical support is important for optimal anterior support, the overall rate of concomitant apical suspensory procedures is low. Several factors may play a role in whether or not women receive an apical suspensory procedure. This study highlights opportunities to improve the quality of surgical care provided to women with anterior vaginal prolapse.

The IUGA/ICS classification of synthetic mesh complications in female pelvic floor reconstructive surgery: a multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to report patterns of sling and transvaginal mesh-related complications using the IUGA/ICS classification of prosthesis-related complications. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent surgical removal of sling, transvaginal mesh, and sacrocolpopexy for mesh-related complications from 2011 to 2013 at three tertiary referral centers. The International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) classification system was utilized. RESULTS: We identified 445 patients with mesh complications, 506 pieces of synthetic mesh were removed, and 587 prostheses-related complications were classified. 3.7 % of patients had viscus organ penetration or vaginal exposure as their presenting chief complaint and 59.7 % were classified as not having any vaginal epithelial separation or category 1. The most common category was spontaneous pain (1Be: 32.5 %) followed by dyspareunia (1Bc: 14.7 %). The sling group was 20 % more likely to have pain compared with the pelvic organ prolapse (POP) mesh group (OR 1.2, 95 % CI 0.8-1.6). The most commonly affected site (S2) was away from the suture line (49 %). Compared with the sling group, the POP group had a higher rate of mesh exposure, which mostly occurred at the suture line area. The majority of patients presented with mesh-related complications more than 1 year post-insertion (T4; average 3.68 ± 2.47 years). CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be aware that patients with vaginal mesh complications routinely exhibit complications more than 1 year after the implantation with pain as the most common presenting symptom.

Bowel and bladder dysfunction following surgery within the presacral space: an overview of neuroanatomy, function, and dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The presacral space contains a dense and complex network of nerves that have significant effects on the innervation of the pelvic viscera and support structures. The proximity of this space to the bony promontory of the sacrum has lead to its involvement in an array of corrective surgical procedures for pelvic floor disorders including sacrocolpopexy and rectopexy. Other procedures involving the same space include presacral neurectomy which involves intentional transection of the contained neural plexus to relieve refractory pelvic pain and resection of retrorectal or presacral tumors. Potential complications of these procedures are postoperative constipation and voiding dysfunction. METHODS: Our aim was to review the current published literature on outcomes following a variety of procedures involving the presacral space and review postoperative bowel and urinary function. We also include an overview of the functional and structural anatomy of the presacral space and its corresponding neural plexi. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that quality data are lacking on the short-term and long-term rates for bowel and bladder dysfunction following surgical procedures involving the presacral space.

Iatrogenic lower urinary tract injury at the time of pelvic reconstructive surgery: does previous pelvic surgery increase the risk?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a history of previous pelvic surgery is associated with lower urinary tract (LUT) injury at the time of pelvic reconstructive surgery (PRS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery from 2006 to 2011 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: those with previous pelvic surgery and those without previous pelvic surgery. A sample size analysis was performed to determine the number needed to detect at least a 3-fold difference in the rate of LUT injury. Demographic, historical, clinical, intraoperative, and postoperative data were analyzed. Associations between LUT injury and demographics, previous pelvic surgery, or other clinical risk factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: 685 women were included in the analysis: 514 (74.9%) with and 171 (25.1%) without prior pelvic surgery. The overall rate of LUT injury was 6%. Of the injuries, 3.2% were cystotomies, and 1.9% were ureteral obstructions. Previous pelvic surgery did not significantly affect the rate of LUT injury (OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.38-1.54). A diagnosis of prolapse, concurrent hysterectomy, anterior repair, and apical repair were significantly associated with LUT injury. After controlling for age and race, a diagnosis of prolapse remained significantly associated with LUT injury (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.11-14.75). CONCLUSIONS: Prior pelvic surgery does not affect the rate of LUT injury in pelvic reconstructive surgery. The diagnosis of prolapse is a risk factor for LUT injury in women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Bacterial Persistence in Urinary Tract Infection Among Postmenopausal Population.

IMPORTANCE: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in older-aged women. Our study examined bacterial persistence with commonly prescribed antibiotics. Bacterial growth was demonstrated despite antibiotic treatment. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to quantify the bacterial persister phenotype in urine collected from postmenopausal women with acute and recurrent UTI and to determine the capabilities of first-line antibiotics to effectively treat persister cells. STUDY DESIGN: This was an institutional review board-approved cross-sectional analysis within a large academic referral center. Uropathogens were cultured from postmenopausal women with acute or recurrent UTI and screened for persister cells using persistence assays. Demographic and clinical variables were collected and analyzed. The entire experimental process was repeated in triplicate. Data were analyzed for significance (P < 0.05) between the persister culture and antibiotic treatments using a 1-way analysis of variance with multiple comparisons in Prism 9.3.0. RESULTS: Forty participants were included: 62.5% White, 22.5% Black, 3% Asian, and 2% Hispanic with a mean age of 72.3 ± 11.62 years. The persister phenotype was demonstrated in all of Escherichia coli isolates. Treatment with fosfomycin demonstrated reduced colony-forming units per milliliter compared with control (P < 0.01). Among recurrent isolates, there was a statistically significant decrease in colony-forming units per milliliter after antibiotic treatment with all 4 antibiotics (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated in vitro bacterial persistence in uropathogens from urogynecology patients despite treatment with commonly prescribed antibiotics. Fosfomycin generated the least amount of persister cells. Results suggest that persistence may be one bacterial defense mechanism involved in UTIs. Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications.

Functional status and postoperative morbidity in older women with prolapse.

PURPOSE: We determined the relationship of preoperative functional status to postoperative morbidity after pelvic organ prolapse surgery in women older than 60 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 223 women older than 60 years who underwent surgery for stage II or greater pelvic organ prolapse. Our exposure was preoperative functional status, defined as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class. We compared postoperative outcomes (length of stay in a medical facility, and number and severity of postoperative complications) in women with low functional status (ASA class III) to those in women with high functional status (ASA classes I and II). We determined the association of preoperative functional status with postoperative outcomes on multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Women in ASA class III were significantly likely to be older (mean ± SD age 72.7 ± 7.3 vs 68.3 ± 6.5 years) and of nonwhite ethnicity (36.1% vs 20.1%), have a higher body mass index (mean 29.5 ± 5.6 vs 26.1 ± 3.8 kg/m(2)) and worse functional comorbidity score (median 3 vs 2), and have undergone obliterative surgery (33.3% vs 9.1%) than women in ASA classes I and II (each p <0.05). Low preoperative functional status was independently associated with increased length of stay in a medical facility (2.13 days, 95% CI 0.57, 3.70, p <0.01) and postoperative complications (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.03, 4.56), after adjusting for age, body mass index, nonwhite ethnicity, number of comorbidities, surgeon and type of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As defined by ASA class, preoperative functional status is significantly associated with postoperative length of stay and complications. Preoperative functional status is useful for predicting postoperative outcomes in older women who undergo pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

Association of neuropathic pain with bladder, bowel and catastrophizing symptoms in women with bladder pain syndrome.

PURPOSE: In this study we determined if there is an association of neuropathic pain with urinary, bowel and catastrophizing symptoms in women with bladder pain syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female patients with a diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome completed validated questionnaires to assess neuropathic pain, urinary and bowel symptoms, quality of life and pain catastrophizing. Women were dichotomized into neuropathic pain and nonneuropathic pain groups. Urinary and bowel symptoms, pain catastrophizing and quality of life scores were compared between the 2 groups using parametric and nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Of 150 women with bladder pain syndrome 40 (27%) had features of neuropathic pain while 110 (73%) did not. Women with features of neuropathic pain had significantly worse urinary urgency (mean ± SD 3.1 ± 3.1 vs 2.1 ± 1.7, p <0.001), bladder pain (3.0 ± 1.1 vs 2.0 ± 1.3, p <0.001), bowel pain (8.8 ± 4.0 vs 5.3 ± 3.6, p <0.001), diarrhea (7.8 ± 6.1 vs 4.1 ± 4.3, p <0.001), quality of life (12.2 ± 5.5 vs 9.8 ± 3.8, p <0.001) and higher pain catastrophizing (32.2 ± 12.4 vs 23.1 ± 14.3, p <0.001) scores than those without neuropathic pain. CONCLUSIONS: In women with bladder pain syndrome the presence of neuropathic pain is significantly associated with the severity of bladder and bowel pain, urinary urgency and diarrhea. Women with features of neuropathic pain also have worse pain catastrophizing and quality of life than those without features of neuropathic pain.

Evidence of bladder oversensitivity in the absence of an infection in premenopausal women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Prevalence (case control) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been implicated in the aetiology of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Prior studies have described symptoms and laboratory tests suggestive of UTI at the onset of IC/PBS as well as a significant history of childhood recurrent UTIs. However, the mechanism by which recurrent UTIs contribute to the development of IC/PBS is not clear. Our study shows that women with recurrent UTI suffer from bladder oversensitivity. Our findings have useful clinical implications. Women with bladder oversensitivity complain of urinary frequency which is often misdiagnosed as an infection and treated with unnecessary antibiotics. Additionally, there are no effective therapies for bladder oversensitivity. Therefore, women with recurrent UTI should undergo prompt evaluation and treatment of episodes of infection to prevent the development of bladder oversensitivity. Our findings also provide a possible mechanism for the development of IC/PBS. Whether women with recurrent UTI are at increased risk for developing IC/PBS in the future will need to be confirmed in future studies. OBJECTIVE: • To compare the mean voided volume and bladder sensation during filling cystometry in women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • This was a case-control study including adult women seen in the urogynaecology clinic. • The cases were 49 women with at least three documented positive urine cultures >105 colonies/mL in the previous 12 months and no active infection at the time of data collection. • Controls were 53 women with stress urinary incontinence and no history of recurrent UTI or coexistent urge urinary incontinence. • We compared bladder diary variables and filling cystometry data in the absence of an active infection. RESULTS: • There was no significant difference in the median age, parity and body mass index of women with a history of recurrent UTI and controls. • The median number of voids per day and median number of voids per litre of fluid intake was significantly greater in women with recurrent UTI than controls (12 vs 7 voids/day and 6 vs 4 voids/L, P= 0.005 and P= 0.004 respectively). • The median average voided volume was significantly lower in women with recurrent UTI than controls (155 vs 195 mL, P= 0.008). • On filling cystometry, median volumes of strong desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity were significantly lower in women with recurrent UTI than controls (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: • In the absence of an infection, premenopausal women with a history of recurrent UTI have significantly greater urinary frequency, lower average voided volume and a lower threshold of bladder sensitivity than controls.

A Physician-Led Communication Initiative to Inform OAB Patients of Dementia Risk Associated With Anticholinergic Medications.

OBJECTIVES: Anticholinergic medications are a core treatment strategy for overactive bladder (OAB). There is evidence that exposure to anticholinergic medications is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. We launched an initiative to inform our patients of this risk and give them an opportunity to engage in shared decision-making about their treatment. This quality improvement initiative encompassed 3 aims: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of 2 different routes to deliver the written outreach; (2) to evaluate if and how patients changed their OAB treatment; and (3) to assess satisfaction with the outreach initiative. METHODS: A query was performed via the electronic medical record for all patients who had been prescribed an anticholinergic for treatment of OAB. We sent either electronic messages or traditional mail to patients. We contacted patients by telephone to assess if they received the message, were satisfied with their respective method of communication, and decided for ongoing treatment. Health care provider satisfaction was also measured. RESULTS: Of the 231 patients sent the outreach, 32 were still taking the anticholinergic at the time they received the communication. The majority of patients, 84.38%, were satisfied with the initiative and elected to change therapy after learning about the increased risk of dementia. The physicians also uniformly reported satisfaction with the initiative. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this outreach initiative resulted in an increase in patient counseling that led to a change in treatment for most patients. This initiative was received favorably by patients and health care providers.

Biofilm Production by Uropathogens in Postmenopausal Women with Recurrent and Isolated Urinary Tract Infection.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to assess the in vitro biofilm-producing capabilities of uropathogens grown from a postmenopausal urogynecologic population with isolated and recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and to determine whether the biofilm-producing bacterial phenotype was associated with recurrent infection. METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved cross-sectional analysis within a large academic referral center. Uropathogens were cultured from postmenopausal women with either isolated or recurrent acute UTI and then screened for in vitro biofilm formation using crystal violet microtiter assays. Demographic and clinical variables, including pelvic floor symptoms and surgical history were collected and analyzed. A multivariate model was developed to determine whether recurrent UTI was independently associated with biofilm production. RESULTS: Eighty-nine women were included: 67.4% White, 25.8% Black, 3.4% Asian, and 1.1% Hispanic with a mean age of 72 ± 10.5 years. Ninety-five uropathogen strains were isolated. Most uropathogens produced biofilm (n = 53, 55.8%). Uropathogens from women with recurrent UTI were significantly more likely to produce biofilm (70%) than uropathogens collected from women with isolated UTI (38.6%, P = 0.0033). Adjusting for age, prior pelvic reconstructive surgery, and body mass index, recurrent UTI bacteria were more likely to produce biofilm, compared with isolated UTI (odds ratio, 5.37; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-14.4; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of postmenopausal urogynecology patients, in vitro biofilm formation was more frequently observed in uropathogens isolated from women with recurrent UTI compared with women with isolated UTI. Further study is needed to assess the role of biofilms in recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women.

Thirty-six-month Prospective Study of Transvaginal Bovine Graft vs Native Tissue Repair for the Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

OBJECTIVE(S): To compare the safety and effectiveness of dermal bovine transvaginal graft, Xenform, to native tissue in the surgical treatment of anterior and/or apical pelvic organ prolapse. This study was designed in conjunction with Food and Drug Administration requirements. METHODS: This was a prospective, non-randomized, parallel cohort, multi-center trial. The primary objective was to demonstrate noninferiority between transvaginal graft and native tissue repair at 36 months compared to baseline. Treatment success was based on a composite of objective and subjective measures. The co-primary outcome was the rate of serious device- or procedure-related adverse events. A total of 228 patients at 25 sites were included in the study arm and 485 patients underwent native tissue repair. Propensity score stratification was applied to achieve balance between treatment groups. Study outcomes were compared in per protocol and intent-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: The primary outcome, treatment success at 36 months, was 83.6% (191/228) for transvaginal graft and 80.5% (390/485) native tissue repair (0.2%, 90% confidence interval [-5.6% to 5.9%]), demonstrating noninferiority at a preset margin of -12%. The overall rate of severe adverse events was 5.3% (12/228) in transvaginal graft vs 2.7% (13/485) in native tissue repair groups. The study group demonstrated noninferiority in serious adverse events at the preset margin of 11.6% (2.0%, 90% confidence interval [-0.8% to 4.7%]). There were no reports of graft erosion, and graft exposure rates were low (0.9% [2/228]). CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal repair of anterior and/or apical prolapse with a biological graft is noninferior to traditional native tissue repair in effectiveness and safety at 36 months.

The American Urogynecologic Society Action Plan on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Developed by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

ABSTRACT: The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) identified diversity, equity, and inclusion as the cornerstone of excellence in governance and operations. Although efforts to increase diversity of our membership have been ongoing for years, there had not previously been an adequate investment to ensure an inclusive climate that emphasizes equity across our volunteers and programs. In June 2020, the AUGS President, Dr Shawn Menefee, and Board of Directors called for a Presidential Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to study the current state of our society and make recommendations for future directions. The charge was intentionally broad. In review of the literature, there was little to inform the best means to proceed aside from administering climate surveys to gauge the current culture of inclusion and bias. The task force believed that the challenge was not only to describe the problem but also to articulate solutions. We ultimately moved to rewrite the Diversity and Inclusion and Code of Conduct Statements and develop an Action Plan that would accelerate the efforts of AUGS to foster inclusion and improve equity through the existing governance structure. In this document, we describe how the task force was organized and conducted the work to develop strategies that were aligned with the AUGS mission: "As the leader in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, AUGS drives excellence in care for women through education, research, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration."

Acute colonic inflammation triggers detrusor instability via activation of TRPV1 receptors in a rat model of pelvic organ cross-sensitization.

Chronic pelvic pain of unknown etiology is a common clinical condition and may develop as a result of cross-sensitization in the pelvis when pathological changes in one of the pelvic organs result in functional alterations in an adjacent structure. The aim of the current study was to compare transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) activated pathways on detrusor contractility in vivo and in vitro using a rat model of pelvic organ cross-sensitization. Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats (N = 56) were included in the study. Animals received intracolonic saline (control), resiniferatoxin (RTX, TRPV1 agonist, 10(-7) M), 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS, colonic irritant), or double treatment (RTX followed by TNBS). Detrusor muscle contractility was assessed under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Intracolonic RTX increased the contractility of the isolated detrusor in response to electric field stimulation (EFS) by twofold (P ≤ 0.001) and enhanced the contractile response of the bladder smooth muscle to carbachol (CCh). Acute colonic inflammation reduced detrusor contractility upon application of CCh in vitro, decreased bladder capacity by 28.1% (P ≤ 0.001), and reduced micturition volume by 60% (P ≤ 0.001). These changes were accompanied by an increased number of nonmicturition contractions from 3.7 ± 0.7 to 15 ± 2.7 (N = 6 in both groups, P ≤ 0.001 vs. control). Desensitization of intracolonic TRPV1 receptors before the induction of acute colitis restored the response of isolated detrusor strips to CCh but not to EFS stimulation. Cystometric parameters were significantly improved in animals with double treatment and approximated the control values. Our data suggest that acute colonic inflammation triggers the occurrence of detrusor instability via activation of TRPV1-related pathways. Comparison of the results obtained under in vitro vs. in vivo conditions provides evidence that intact neural pathways are critical for the development of an overactive bladder resulting from pelvic organ cross talk.

Construct validity of a questionnaire to measure the type of fluid intake and type of urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reproducibility and construct validity of the Questionnaire Based Voiding Diary (QVD) for measuring the type and volume of fluid intake and the type of urinary incontinence. METHODS: 250 women completed the QVD, a 48-hour bladder diary and underwent complete urogynecologic evaluation to determine a final clinical diagnosis. The questionnaire was re-administered after a 2-week period with no change in treatment, and 2-3 months later following treatment of urinary symptoms. RESULTS: The reproducibility of the fluid intake, output, fluid intake behavior and urinary symptom subscales of the QVD was 0.68-0.92. Correlation of the fluid intake scale of the QVD with the 48-hour voiding diary for determining the type and volume of fluid intake was high (r = 0.65-0.83, P < 0.01). High correlations were noted between the fluid intake behavior scale and urinary frequency (r = 0.82, P < .01), urgency (r = 0.77, P < .01) and urge incontinence (r = 0.71, P < .01). The median total fluid intake and mean urinary symptom score was significantly lower in responders (2074 mL, 10.2 ± 3.3) than non-responders (2347 mL, 18.5 ± 4.6). As compared to the final clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity, specificity and positive likelihood ratio of the QVD for the diagnosis of predominant stress urinary incontinence are 86%, 66% and 2.6 and for predominant urge incontinence 82%, 79% and 4.0 respectively. CONCLUSION: The QVD provides clinically meaningful information on the type and volume of fluid intake and the type of urinary incontinence at the initial office visit.

Is pelvic pain associated with defecatory symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of pelvic pain and its association with defecatory symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross sectional study of 248 women with stage II POP or greater. Women were stratified into "pain" and "no-pain" groups based on their response to a question on the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory short form. Associations between patient demographics, exam findings and responses to validated questionnaires were evaluated. RESULTS: In women with POP, defecatory symptoms are significantly more common in women with pelvic pain including straining with bowel movement (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3, 4.6), sense of incomplete emptying (OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.3, 8.2), pain with bowel movement (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.2, 23.0) and splinting with bowel movement (OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.0, 7.5). CONCLUSION: In women with POP, the symptom of pelvic pain is associated with the presence of defecatory symptoms.