The "Repeat Colpocleisis": A Literature Review and Case Report.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Colpocleisis is a surgical procedure intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Compared with other modes of pelvic reconstructive surgery, colpocleisis is associated with lower morbidity and higher satisfaction, and has a success rate of 91-100% and a reoperation rate of less than 2%. However, there is limited information on how to treat recurrent prolapse after colpocleisis. METHODS: We performed a review of the existing literature regarding colpocleisis failure and retreatment. A total of 118 articles were reviewed, with 16 articles suitable for inclusion. We also describe a case from our own institution of a "repeat colpocleisis" for recurrent prolapse after previous colpocleisis. RESULTS: "Repeat colpocleisis" was the most common surgical technique used (18 out of 24 patients, 75.0%). The median follow-up time after the repeat surgery was 12 months, with only 1 patient with recurrence reported owing to recurrent rectocele 2 years after surgery, treated successfully with perineorrhaphy. Other less common techniques included perineorrhaphy, reversal of colpocleisis with native tissue repair, and vaginal hysterectomy with vaginal repair. Our case report describes the surgical management of a patient who had previously undergone LeFort colpocleisis with recurrence of prolapse, subsequently undergoing repeat colpocleisis. CONCLUSIONS: The colpocleisis failure, though rare, presents a surgical challenge owing to both its rarity and the paucity of information in the literature regarding the optimal mode of management. In this review, the most common technique for surgical management of colpocleisis failure was repeat colpocleisis, with good short-term success rates noted. Additional studies with longer-term follow-up are needed.

The Impact of Fellowship Affiliation on Urogynecology Training in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency.

OBJECTIVE: To compare characteristics of Urogynecology training and number of "Incontinence and Pelvic Floor" cases logged between Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) residencies affiliated and those not affiliated with Urogynecology fellowships. DESIGN: A retrospective descriptive analysis was performed of OB/GYN residency programs, their Urogynecology training, and association with Urogynecology fellowship programs during the 2023 to 2024 academic year. Program websites for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited OB/GYN residency programs were reviewed to determine availability, timing, and length of Urogynecology training. ACGME data for "Incontinence and Pelvic Floor" cases were analyzed by training year and association with Urogynecology fellowship programs from the 2012-2013 to 2022-2023 academic year. Data was analyzed using SPSS. SETTING: This research was conducted at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS: None. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Information was obtained for 85.9% of programs. Nearly all (97.0%) had dedicated Urogynecology rotations, and 64.4% had rotations in >1 year of training. Association with Urogynecology fellowship did not affect the availability of Urogynecology training overall nor the overall number of rotations. Urogynecology rotations occurred most often in the third (PGY3) year of residency, though 43.6% of programs had training for junior (PGY1, PGY2) residents. Residencies with associated Urogynecology fellowships were more likely to have a rotation for PGY2 residents and for junior residents overall. From 2012 to 2023, the number of "Incontinence and Pelvic Floor" cases declined by 36.3%, with trainees at residencies not affiliated with Urogynecology fellowships logging more cases than those at a fellowship-affiliated residency. CONCLUSION: While the majority of OB/GYN residencies have dedicated Urogynecology training, most rotations are for senior residents. Training programs associated with Urogynecology fellowships are more likely to expose junior residents to the field, but their trainees log fewer "Incontinence and Pelvic Floor" cases overall. Earlier exposure may enrich surgical training and help residents prepare for their careers, whether in Urogynecology or as a generalist.

Maternal-Neonatal Dyad Outcomes of Maternal COVID-19 Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Support: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe two cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and resulting in premature delivery. STUDY DESIGN: The clinical course of two women hospitalized with ARDS due to COVID-19 care in our intensive care (ICU) is summarized; both participants provided consent to be included in this case series. RESULTS: Both women recovered with no clinical sequelae. Neonatal outcomes were within the realm of expected for prematurity with the exception of coagulopathy. There was no vertical transmission to the neonates. CONCLUSION: This case series highlights that ECMO is a feasible treatment in the pregnant woman with severe COVID-19 and that delivery can be performed safely on ECMO with no additional risk to the fetus. While ECMO carries its natural risks, it should be considered a viable option during pregnancy and the postpartum period. KEY POINTS: · COVID-19 may present with a more severe course in pregnancy.. · ECMO may be used in pregnant woman with severe COVID-19.. · Delivery can be performed on ECMO without added fetal risk..

Health Care Disparities Among Latina Patients Presenting With Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

IMPORTANCE: This study identifies barriers, including language and insurance status, Latina patients may face in accessing urogynecology care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine differences in objective prolapse severity at the time of presentation between Latina and non-Latina patients and the effect socioeconomic disparities may have on these differences. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients visiting urogynecology clinics at 2 academic institutions (1 private, 1 public). Patients with symptomatic > stage II prolapse were included. Initial Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification examinations, leading edge of prolapse, and demographic data were extracted. We evaluated several socioeconomic factors for associations with prolapse severity in a multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-two patients were included (36% Latina). Twenty-eight percent were non-English speaking and 54% had public or no insurance. Using leading edge as the outcome, there was no objective difference in prolapse severity between the Latina and non-Latina patients. A higher proportion of patients with public insurance had more advanced prolapse compared with those with private insurance (odds ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-5.55; P < 0.01) and a higher proportion of non-English speaking had more advanced prolapse compared with English speakers (odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-5.34; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Latina ethnicity was not a risk factor for more advanced prolapse at the time of initial evaluation in a urogynecology clinic. Rather, patients who were non-English speaking and had public insurance were more likely to present with more advanced prolapse. Our data suggest that language barriers and lower socioeconomic status are health care disparities for patients seeking care for prolapse.

Molecular Diagnostic Methods Versus Conventional Urine Culture for Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Context: Urine culture has low sensitivity in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are culture-independent molecular methods available for commercial use to diagnose UTI. Objective: To systematically evaluate the evidence comparing the diagnostic and therapeutic values of molecular diagnostic methods to urine culture in the management of UTI in adults. Evidence acquisition: We performed a critical review of Embase, Ovid, and PubMed in February 2022 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses statement. Studies involving pregnant women, ureteral stones, ureteral stents, and percutaneous nephrostomy tubes were excluded. Risk of bias and methodological quality were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Fifteen publications were selected for inclusion. Evidence synthesis: Included reports compared NGS (nine studies) and PCR (six studies) to urine culture. A meta-analysis of seven similar studies utilizing NGS demonstrates that NGS is more sensitive in the identification of urinary bacteria and detects greater species diversity per urine sample than culture. PCR protocols designed to detect a diverse range of microbes had increased sensitivity and species diversity compared with culture. Phenotypic and genotypic resistomes are concordant in approximately 85% of cases. There is insufficient evidence to compare patient symptomatic responses to antibiotic therapy guided by molecular testing versus standard susceptibility testing. Conclusions: Moderately strong evidence exists that molecular diagnostics demonstrate increased sensitivity in detecting urinary bacteria at the expense of poor specificity in controls. Additional data comparing patient symptoms and cure rates following antibiotic selection directed by molecular methods compared with culture are needed to elucidate their place in UTI care. Patient summary: We compare culture-independent molecular methods with urine culture in the management of urinary tract infection. We found good evidence that molecular methods detect more bacteria than culture; however, the clinical implications to support their routine use are unclear.

Health Care for the Homeless Transgender Community: Psychiatric Services and Transition Care at a Student-Run Clinic.

Transgender individuals disproportionately experience homelessness and health disparities, including lack of access to gender-affirming care. The student-run Lotus Wellness Center provides care to transgender individuals experiencing homelessness, including primary care, mental health stabilization, and transition via hormone therapy, while medical students learn of the unique health needs of this community.

The Achilles' heel of prevention to mother-to-child transmission of HIV: Protocol implementation, uptake, and sustainability.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS proposed to reduce the vertical transmission of HIV from ∼72,200 to ∼8300 newly infected children by 2015 in South Africa (SA). However, cultural, infrastructural, and socio-economic barriers hinder the implementation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) protocol, and research on potential solutions to address these barriers in rural areas is particularly limited. This study sought to identify challenges and solutions to the implementation, uptake, and sustainability of the PMTCT protocol in rural SA. Forty-eight qualitative interviews, 12 focus groups discussions (n = 75), and one two-day workshop (n = 32 participants) were conducted with district directors, clinic leaders, staff, and patients from 12 rural clinics. The delivery and uptake of the PMTCT protocol was evaluated using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR); 15 themes associated with challenges and solutions emerged. Intervention characteristics themes included PMTCT training and HIV serostatus disclosure. Outer-setting themes included facility space, health record management, and staff shortage; inner-setting themes included supply use and availability, staff-patient relationship, and transportation and scheduling. Themes related to characteristics of individuals included staff relationships, initial antenatal care visit, adherence, and culture and stigma. Implementation process themes included patient education, test results delivery, and male involvement. Significant gaps in care were identified in rural areas. Information obtained from participants using the CFIR framework provided valuable insights into solutions to barriers to PMTCT implementation. Continuously assessing and correcting PMTCT protocol implementation, uptake and sustainability appear merited to maximize HIV prevention.