Perineal prevention and protection in obstetrics: CNGOF clinical practice guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of these clinical practice guidelines was to analyse all of the interventions during pregnancy and childbirth that might prevent obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and postnatal pelvic floor symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: These guidelines were developed in accordance with the methods prescribed by the French Health Authority (HAS). RESULTS: A prenatal clinical examination of the perineum is recommended for women with a history of Crohn's disease, OASIS, genital mutilation, or perianal lesions (professional consensus). Just after delivery, a perineal examination is recommended to check for OASIS (Grade B); if there is doubt about the diagnosis, a second opinion should be requested (Grade C). In case of OASIS, the injuries (including their severity) and the technique for their repair should be described in detail (Grade C). Perineal massage during pregnancy must be encouraged among women who want it (Grade B). No intervention conducted before the start of the active phase of the second stage of labour has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of perineal injury. The crowning of the baby's head should be manually controlled and the posterior perineum manually supported to reduce the risk of OASIS (Grade C). The performance of an episiotomy during normal deliveries is not recommended to reduce the risk of OASIS (Grade A). In instrumental deliveries, episiotomy may be indicated to avoid OASIS (Grade C). When an episiotomy is performed, a mediolateral incision is recommended (Grade B). The indication for episiotomy should be explained to the woman, and she should consent before its performance. Advising women to have a caesarean delivery for primary prevention of postnatal urinary or anal incontinence is not recommended (Grade B). During pregnancy and again in the labour room, obstetrics professionals should focus on the woman's expectations and inform her about the modes of delivery.

[Perineal prevention and protection in obstetrics: CNGOF Clinical Practice Guidelines (short version)]. / Prévention et protection périnéale en obstétrique : Recommandations pour la Pratique Clinique du CNGOF (texte court).

INTRODUCTION: The objective of these clinical practice guidelines was to analyse all of the interventions during pregnancy and childbirth that might prevent obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and postnatal pelvic floor symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: These guidelines were developed in accordance with the methods prescribed by the French Health Authority (HAS). RESULTS: A prenatal clinical examination of the perineum is recommended for women with a history of Crohn's disease, OASIS, genital mutilation, or perianal lesions (professional consensus). Just after delivery, a perineal examination is recommended to check for OASIS (Grade B); if there is doubt about the diagnosis, a second opinion should be requested (GradeC). In case of OASIS, the injuries (including their severity) and the technique for their repair should be described in detail (GradeC). Perineal massage during pregnancy must be encouraged among women who want it (Grade B). No intervention conducted before the start of the active phase of the second stage of labour has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of perineal injury. The crowning of the baby's head should be manually controlled and the posterior perineum manually supported to reduce the risk of OASIS (GradeC). The performance of an episiotomy during normal deliveries is not recommended to reduce the risk of OASIS (Grade A). In instrumental deliveries, episiotomy may be indicated to avoid OASIS (GradeC). When an episiotomy is performed, a mediolateral incision is recommended (Grade B). The indication for episiotomy should be explained to the woman, and she should consent before its performance. Advising women to have a caesarean delivery for primary prevention of postnatal urinary or anal incontinence is not recommended (Grade B). During pregnancy and again in the labour room, obstetrics professionals should focus on the woman's expectations and inform her about the modes of delivery.

[How I treat a pelvic organ prolapse at the doctor's office]. / Comment je traite un prolapsus uro-génital au cabinet médical.

The use of gynecological pessary to put back up prolapsed organs to their normal position appears to be as effective as surgical management to relieve symptoms related to uro-genital prolapse and restore body image. This millenary device can be used temporarily, awaiting a surgical solution or as a therapeutic test (mimicking the effect of a surgical procedure to predict its functional outcome or identifying a masked urinary incontinence). It can also represent an alternative to surgery (patient choice, women who wish to complete childbearing or who are unsuitable for surgery because of medical comorbidities) and thus can be used in first intention. Pessary can also be used to confirm or deny the responsibility of pelvic organ prolapse for atypical symptomatology as pelvic heaviness or pain. However, this use requires adjuvant treatment. In this paper, we highlight an original effective process not yet published to optimize the tolerance of pessary.

L'utilisation du pessaire gynécologique afin de réintégrer les organes prolabés dans l'enceinte pelvienne est une alternative efficace dans le soulagement des symptômes liés au prolapsus uro-génital et la restauration tant de l'image corporelle que de l'estime de soi. Ce dispositif millénaire peut être utilisé temporairement, dans l'attente d'une intervention chirurgicale, à titre de test thérapeutique préopératoire (prédiction du résultat fonctionnel attendu, identification d'une possible incontinence urinaire masquée par le prolapsus, confirmation de la responsabilité du trouble de la statique pelvienne quant à une symptomatologie inhabituelle à type de pesanteur pelvienne ou de douleurs). Le pessaire peut aussi être considéré en alternative définitive à la chirurgie (choix de la patiente, désir de grossesse, terrain récusant une intervention). Cette alternative nécessite toutefois un traitement adjuvant. Nous mettons en lumière un procédé original, non encore publié, optimisant la tolérance dudit pessaire.

[The gynecological pessary: Is it really a device of another age, a fig leaf?] / Le pessaire gynécologique: est-ce vraiment un dispositif d'un autre âge, un cache-misère?

OBJECTIVES: The use of pessary to put back up prolapsed organs to their normal position dates back prior to several millennia. This work aims to discuss its place in our clinical practice through an updated bibliographic review and emphasizes a hands-on approach to pessary fitting and management in terms of indication, pessary type selection, device' size, insertion, removal, follow-up visits and care. METHODS: A review of the literature, in the light of the latest publications and recommendations of French and international learned societies, as well as our own experience, were analyzed. RESULTS: This device appears to be as effective as surgical management to relieve symptoms related to urogenital prolapse and restore body image. It can be used temporarily, awaiting a surgical solution or as a therapeutic test (mimicking the effect of a surgical procedure to predict its functional outcome or identifying a masked urinary incontinence). It can also represent an alternative to surgery (patient choice, women who wish to complete childbearing or who are unsuitable for surgery because of medical comorbidities) and thus can be used in first intention. However, despite its moderate cost and its harmlessness, this device remains somewhat little known as regards the practical modalities of its use, which, moreover, appear not consensual. CONCLUSION: A guide intended for the attention of the patients as well as a film relating to the practical modalities of the device' use were elaborated to improve the knowledge of both professionals and users in order to optimize and secure the care pathway.

Development of an ovine model for training in vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of an ovine model for training in vaginal surgery. METHODS: Four senior urogynaecological surgeons and five residents attended five sessions of vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in five old multiparous female sheep. Urogynaecological examinations were performed and measurements similar to the POP-Q classification in humans were obtained. Standard POP surgical procedures with and without mesh were performed. A pelvic CT scan was done on one animal and the structures were compared with the pelvic structures in a woman. After the feasibility of vaginal surgery had been established in three cadavers, surgery was performed in two living animals under general anaesthesia and was followed by laparoscopy to explore the internal pelvic anatomy. RESULTS: We found anatomic similarities in the vaginal and pelvic structures between sheep and women. After caudal traction on the cervix, all five sheep had significant POP of stage 3 or 4. We proved the feasibility of all types of vaginal surgery in this animal model: traditional anterior and posterior repair, apex fixation and anterior wall repair with mesh. The video shows the internal pelvic anatomy and different vaginal procedures. CONCLUSION: This study showed that training in vaginal surgery for POP is feasible and useful in an animal model, the ewe, that has vaginal and pelvic structures very similar to those in women.

[Necrotizing fasciitis and double bowel perforation after retropubic sub-urethral sling]. / Double perforation digestive et fasciite nécrosante après bandelette sous-urétrale rétropubienne.

A 60-year-old woman without medical history developed after a Tension-free Vaginal Tape (TVT) procedure a necrotizing fasciitis and an abscess. After unadapted initial treatment, surgical procedure revealed 2 bowel perforations caused by the sling. Treatment was achieved by total mesh removal, bowel repair, necrosis excision and vacuum-assisted closure system. This is the first case report about the association of necrotizing fasciitis and double bowel perforations after TVT procedure. Any critical sepsis or with unsatisfactory evolution after retropubic sub-urethral sling has to make look for a digestive wound.

[French language validation of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire - IUGA revised (PISQ-IR)]. / Validation linguistique en français du Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire - Révisé IUGA (PISQ-IR).

OBJECTIVES: To report a linguistically validated French version of the PISQ-IR (the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire IUGA-Revised). METHODS: PISQ-IR is a valid, reliable, and responsive measure of sexual function in both sexually active or inactive women with pelvic floor disorders. Validation process was performed according the IUGA guidelines. The French version of the PISQ-IR was developed after two independent translations (English>French), one back translation (French>English), cognitive debriefing with a sample of 25 women with pelvic floor disorders attending the gynecologic clinic in the university hospital of Nîmes and a critical review by experts in the field of urogynecology and sexuality. RESULTS: The PISQ-IR is a self-administered questionnaire, which overcomes some shortcomings of the initial version. Questionnaire includes 20 questions, the first one to clarify sexual activity: part 1 of the questionnaire is for non-sexually active women and contains 5 questions and the second part is for sexually active women and contains 12 or 14 questions depending on whether or not the women has a partner. CONCLUSION: This paper reports the linguistically validated French version of the PISQ-IR. Psychometric validation of the French PISQ-IR is currently ongoing and when completed, the scoring system will be shortly published in addition to the definitive version of the questionnaire.

[PROSPERE randomized controlled trial: laparoscopic sacropexy versus vaginal mesh for cystocele POP repair]. / Étude randomisée comparant la promontofixation cœlioscopique à la chirurgie prothétique par voie vaginale pour le traitement des cystocèles : PROSPERE (PROSthetic PElvic organ prolapse REpair).

BACKGROUND: Cystocele is a frequent and invalidating type of genital prolapse in woman. Sacropexy using synthetic mesh is considered the surgical gold standard, and the laparoscopic approach has supplanted the open abdominal route because it offers the same anatomical results with a lower morbidity. The use of mesh through the vaginal route may have many advantages: easiness to perform, shorter operative time and recovery, but may increase morbidity. In France, both laparoscopic sacropexy and vaginal mesh are commonly used to treat cystoceles. The French Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) has highlighted the lack of evaluation of safety assessment for vaginal meshes. METHOD/DESIGN: The main objective of the study is to compare the morbidity of laparoscopic sacropexy with vaginal mesh for cystocele repair. The primary endpoint will be the rate of surgical complications greater or equal to grade 2 of the Clavien-Dindo classification at 1-year follow-up. The secondary aims are to compare the functional results in the medium term (sexuality, urinary and bowel symptoms, pain), the impact on quality of life as well as anatomical results. PROSPERE is a randomized controlled trial conducted in 12 participating French hospitals. 262 patients, aged 45 to 75years old, with cystocele greater or equal to stage 2 of the POP-Q classification (isolated or not) will be included. Exclusion criterias are a previous surgical POP repair, and inability or contra-indication to one or the other technique. We have designed this study to answer the question of the choice between laparoscopic sacropexy and vaginal mesh for the treatment of cystocele. The PROSPERE trial aims to help better determine the indications for one or the other of these techniques, which are currently based on subjective choices or school attitudes. This is the reason why competent authorities have asked for such studies.

Total transvaginal mesh (TVM) technique for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse: a 5-year prospective follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate clinical effectiveness and complication rates at 5 years following the total Trans Vaginal Mesh (TVM) technique to treat pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: Prospective, observational, multi-centre study in patients with prolapse of stage II or higher. RESULTS: Of the 90 women enrolled in the study, 82 (91%) were available for the 5-year follow-up period. At the 5-year endpoint, success, defined as no surgical prolapse reintervention and leading edge <-1 (International Continence Society [ICS] criteria) or above the level of the hymen, was 79% and 87% respectively. A composite criterion of success defined as: leading edge above the hymen (<0) and no bulge symptoms and no reintervention for prolapse was met by 90%, 88% and 84% at the 1-, 3-, and 5-year endpoints respectively. Quality of life improvement was sustained over the 5 years. Over the 5-year follow-up period, a total of only 4 patients (5%) required re-intervention for prolapse, while a total of 14 patients (16%) experienced mesh exposure for which 8 resections needed to be performed. Seven exposures were still ongoing at the 5-year endpoint, all asymptomatic. Only 33 out of 61 (54%) sexually active patients at baseline remained so at 5 years. De novo dyspareunia was reported by 10%, but no new cases at the 5-year endpoint. One patient reported de novo unprovoked mild pelvic pain at 5 years, 5 reported pains during pelvic examination only. CONCLUSIONS: Five-year results indicated that TVM provided a stable anatomical repair. Improvements in QOL and associated improvements in prolapse-specific symptoms were sustained. Minimal new morbidity emerged between the 1- and 5-year follow-up.

[A policy of selective episiotomy in a ward: an example of medical professional assessment]. / Politique restrictive d'épisiotomie au sein d'un service : un exemple d'évaluation des pratiques professionnelles.

OBJECTIVES: To reduce the episiotomy rates, according to the Clinical Practice Guidelines, of 2005, from the French College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted, in the university hospital maternities (Maternity 1 and 2) with a retrospective record from medical files. Patients who had delivered in those maternities, by vaginal route, after 22 weeks amenorrhea were eligible. The global rate of episiotomy was analysed from 2006 to 2008. A descriptive clinical study was performed with a retrospective analysis (from July to December 2005 on 100 medical files and from July to December 2007 on 85 files). Besides, a study of episiotomy rate was conducted from 2006 to 2008. Improvement actions were developed between the two phases of assessment of the audit: sharing and comparing the results to standardized episiotomy rates, and elaborating an informatized regional perinatality file with episiotomy related items and national recommendations. RESULTS: Episiotomy rate decreased during the study, from 22.35% in 2005 to 19.34% in 2008, in the Ward 1 (p<0.0001) and from 33.62% in 2005 to 17.93% en 2008 (p<0.0001) in the Ward 2. An improvement was observed between the two periods of audits, for each item of the chart but without statistical signification. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Theses procedures have led to a positive impact on practices thanks to the work group and because of the politics of the perinatal network in favour of an episiotomy reduction. We hope these results could be improved in the future.

[Prospective evaluation of an intravaginal electrical stimulation in the treatment of women with pure genuine stress urinary incontinence]. / Évaluation prospective d'un dispositif de rééducation périnéale à domicile dans l'incontinence urinaire d'effort féminine.

OBJECTIVES: To study the objective and subjective effectiveness of transvaginal electrical stimulation for treatment of female pure genuine stress incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective trial including 207 patients with genuine stress incontinence who used the stimulator for 10 weeks. Similar pre-treatment and post-treatment assessments included both validated symptom severity index and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Objective evaluation showed a significant improvement in 65.7% of subjects with stress incontinence. All domains of quality of life improved significantly after treatment (P=0.0001) and rate of satisfactory was 84.7%. There were no statistical differences between the two stimulators. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor electrical stimulation seems to be effective in treating female genuine stress incontinence and could be considered first-line therapy.

[Emergency cervical cerclage during mid-trimester of pregnancy: Experience of Clermont-Ferrand]. / Cerclage cervical en urgence au deuxième trimestre de la grossesse : expérience clermontoise.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with favourable perinatal outcome after emergency cervical cerclage during mid-trimester of pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all cases who underwent emergency cervical cerclage between 16 to 28 weeks of gestation (WG) over a period of 16 years in a University Hospital. RESULTS: Among the 32 cases, the postnatal survival rate (day 28) was 80%. Delivery occurred at a mean gestational age of 33.1 WG [18-41.3 WG] and after 37 WG in 39% of cases. The perinatal outcome was improved by absence of bleeding (P=0.01), unripened cervix (P=0.02), cervical dilatation below 2 cm (P=0.002), no protruding membranes (P=0.02) and more advanced gestational age at the procedure (P=0.005). When no uterine contraction and no maternal blood inflammation were observed at admission, an expectancy of 48 hours before the procedure did not improve significantly perinatal outcome (gestational age at birth and survival rate [P=0.1 and P=0.3 respectively]). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Perinatal outcome after emergency cerclage depends on cervical status and gestational age at procedure. It is not influenced by an expectancy of 48 hours before intervention for patients with no uterine contraction and no maternal blood inflammation at admission.