Intraoperative Fluorescent Ureter Visualization for Transvaginal High Uterosacral Ligament Suspension for Severe Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of ureteral navigation using intra-ureteric indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging during transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension for prolapse repair to reduce the risk of iatrogenic ureteral injury. METHODS: A cystoscope was inserted into the bladder, the tip of a 6-F open-end ureteral catheter was inserted into the ureteral orifices, and ICG was instilled into the ureters. The ureteral path was then clearly identified using NIRF imaging. Sutures were safely placed in the uterosacral ligaments at the level of the ischial spine, taking advantage of direct ureteral visualization. RESULTS: At the end of the procedure, diagnostic cystoscopy was performed to confirm ureteral patency. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-ureteric ICG-NIRF imaging represents a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible trick for intraoperative ureteral detection, and could reassure surgeons during difficult operations, for instance, in the case of severe prolapse and/or when ureteral course abnormalities are expected.

Whole genome sequencing identifies associations for nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis with the intergenic region of BMP2 and noncoding RNA gene LINC01428.

Craniosynostosis (CS) is a major birth defect resulting from premature fusion of cranial sutures. Nonsyndromic CS occurs more frequently than syndromic CS, with sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (sNCS) presenting as the most common CS phenotype. Previous genome-wide association and targeted sequencing analyses of sNCS have identified multiple associated loci, with the strongest association on chromosome 20. Herein, we report the first whole-genome sequencing study of sNCS using 63 proband-parent trios. Sequencing data for these trios were analyzed using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) and rare variant TDT (rvTDT) to identify high-risk rare gene variants. Sequencing data were also examined for copy number variants (CNVs) and de novo variants. TDT analysis identified a highly significant locus at 20p12.3, localized to the intergenic region between BMP2 and the noncoding RNA gene LINC01428. Three variants (rs6054763, rs6054764, rs932517) were identified as potential causal variants due to their probability of being transcription factor binding sites, deleterious combined annotation dependent depletion scores, and high minor allele enrichment in probands. Morphometric analysis of cranial vault shape in an unaffected cohort validated the effect of these three single nucleotide variants (SNVs) on dolichocephaly. No genome-wide significant rare variants, de novo loci, or CNVs were identified. Future efforts to identify risk variants for sNCS should include sequencing of larger and more diverse population samples and increased omics analyses, such as RNA-seq and ATAC-seq.

How Old Is Too Old? Outcomes of Prolapse Native-Tissue Repair through Uterosacral Suspension in Octogenarians.

INTRODUCTION: Medical advancements are expected to lead to a substantial increase in the population of women aged 80 and older by 2050. Consequently, a significant number of individuals undergoing corrective prolapse surgery will fall into the elderly-patient category. The research indicates a notable rise in complications associated with prolapse surgery in patients older than 80, irrespective of frailty and other risk factors. Despite these challenges, the vaginal approach has been identified as the safest surgical method for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair in the elderly population. For this reason, we aimed to investigate the efficacy, complication rate, and functional outcomes associated with vaginal hysterectomy and an apical suspension/high uterosacral ligaments suspension as a primary technique for prolapse repair, both within a cohort of elderly patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent transvaginal hysterectomy plus an apical suspension procedure for stage ≥ II and symptomatic genital prolapse between January 2006 and December 2013. Anatomical and functional outcomes were evaluated. The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) score was used to evaluate subjective satisfaction after surgery. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 81.3 years. All individuals exhibited an anterior compartment prolapse stage II or higher, and the majority also a central prolapse stage II or higher. Notably, all participants reported symptoms of vaginal bulging. Over half of the population (58.6%) complained of incomplete bladder emptying. The intervention for all participants involved a vaginal hysterectomy with an apical suspension. Sixty-three patients (96.9%) and forty-four patients (67.6%) underwent a simultaneous anterior or posterior repair, respectively. Long-term complications (>30 days from surgery) were observed during follow-up, with a median duration of 23 ± 20 months. Seven (10.7%) anatomical recurrences were recorded, five (7.69%) concerning the anterior compartment, one (1.5%) the central, and three (4.6%) the posterior. Nevertheless, none of them necessitated further surgical intervention due to symptoms. Significant anatomical improvements for the anterior, central, and posterior compartments were noticed, compared to preoperative assessment (p < 0.001 for Aa and Ba, p < 0.001 for Ap and Bp, and p < 0.001 for C). PGI-I values established that 100% of patients were satisfied (PGI-I ≥ 2), with a median score of 1.12. Consequently, objective and subjective cure rates were 89.5% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Vaginal hysterectomy combined with apical suspension, particularly high uterosacral ligaments suspension, is a safe and effective primary surgical approach, even in elderly patients.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in prolapse repair: A prospective study on pre-emptive uterosacral/cervical block.

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been introduced in gynecology. Postoperative pain management after vaginal procedures remains a relevant issue. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-emptive uterosacral/cervical block (PUCB) for postoperative pain control in patients with uterovaginal prolapse undergoing vaginal hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair. We also evaluated the impact on the length of recovery. METHODS: This was a pilot study analyzing 40 women who underwent pelvic organ prolapse repair through uterosacral ligament suspension. Patients who chose to undergo PUCB were considered as cases, otherwise as controls. After general or spinal anesthesia induction, the treatment group received the PUCB with ropivacaine plus clonidine injections at 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock of the cervix. The control group did not receive additional treatment. Pain intensity was measured at rest and after forceful cough at 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: We found a significant reduction in pain values at 1 h (rest and forceful cough) and 24 h (forceful cough) in the PUCB group. The incidence of moderate/severe pain was inferior in the PUCB group at 1 h (rest) and 24 h (rest and forceful cough). There were no differences in terms of the use of rescue opioids (0% vs. 5%; P = 0.311) and length of hospital stay (2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6; P = 0.180). CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we demonstrated the impact of pre-emptive uterosacral/cervical block on pain control up to 24 h after surgery. Clonidine as a sensory blockade extender appears promising in enhancing the efficacy of local anesthetics.

A Novel Method for the Measurement of the Vaginal Wall Thickness by Transvaginal Ultrasound: A Study of Inter- and Intra-Observer Reliability.

Background and Objectives: A consensus regarding the optimal sonographic technique for measuring vaginal wall thickness (VWT) is still absent in the literature. This study aims to validate a new method for measuring VWT using a biplanar transvaginal ultrasound probe and assess both its intra-operator and inter-operator reproducibility. Material and Methods: This prospective study included patients with genitourinary syndrome of menopause-related symptoms. Women were scanned using a BK Medical Flex Focus 400 with the 65 × 5.5 mm linear longitudinal transducer of an endovaginal biplanar probe (BK Medical probe 8848, BK Ultrasound, Peabody, MA, USA). Vaginal wall thickness (VWT) measurements were acquired from the anterior and posterior vaginal wall at three levels. Results: An inter-observer analysis revealed good consistency between operators at every anatomical site, and the intra-class coefficient ranged from 0.931 to 0.987, indicating high reliability. An intra-observer analysis demonstrated robust consistency in vaginal wall thickness measurements, with an intra-class coefficient exceeding 0.9 for all anatomical sites. Conclusions: The measurement of vaginal wall thickness performed by transvaginal biplanar ultrasound was easy and demonstrated good intra- and inter-operator reliability.

Changes in Pelvic Floor Ultrasonographic Features after Flat Magnetic Stimulation in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain and Levator Ani Muscle Hypertonicity.

Background and Objectives: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) represents a major public health problem for women with a significant impact on their quality of life. In many cases of CPP, due to gynecological causes-such as endometriosis and vulvodynia-improper pelvic floor muscle relaxation can be identified. Treatment of CPP with pelvic floor hypertonicity (PFH) usually involves a multimodal approach. Traditional magnetic stimulation has been proposed as medical technology to manage muscle hypertonicity and pelvic pain conditions through nerve stimulation, neuromodulation, and muscle relaxation. New Flat Magnetic Stimulation (FMS)-which involves homogeneous rather than curved electromagnetic fields-has the potential to induce sacral S2-S4 roots neuromodulation, muscle decontraction, and blood circulation improvement. However, the benefits of this new technology on chronic pelvic pain symptoms and biometrical muscular parameters are poorly known. In this study, we want to evaluate the modification of the sonographic aspect of the levator ani muscle before and after treatment with Flat Magnetic Stimulation in women with chronic pelvic pain and levator ani hypertonicity, along with symptoms evolution. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in a tertiary-level Urogynaecology department and included women with CPP and PFH. Approval from the local Ethics Committee was obtained before the start of the study (protocol code: MAGCHAIR). At the baseline, the intensity of pelvic pain was measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS), and patients were asked to evaluate their pelvic floor symptoms severity by answering the question, "How much do your pelvic floor symptoms bother you?" on a 5-answer Likert scale. Transperineal ultrasound (TPU) was performed to assess anorectal angle (ARA) and levator ani muscle minimal plane distance (LAMD). Treatment involved Flat Magnetic Stimulation alone or with concomitant local or systemic pharmacological therapy, depending on the patient's preferences. FMS was delivered with the DR ARNOLD system (DEKA M.E.L.A. Calenzano, Italy). After the treatment, patients were asked again to score the intensity of pelvic pain using the 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) and to evaluate the severity of their pelvic floor symptoms on the 5-answer Likert scale. Patients underwent TPU to assess anorectal angle (ARA) and levator ani muscle minimal plane distance (LAMD). Results: In total, 11 patients completed baseline evaluation, treatment, and postoperative evaluation in the period of interest. All patients underwent eight sessions of Flat Magnetic Stimulation according to the protocol. Adjuvant pharmacological treatment was used in five (45.5%) patients. Specifically, we observed a significant increase in both ARA and LAMD comparing baseline and post-treatment measurements (p < 0.001). Quality of life scale scores at baseline and after treatment demonstrated a significant improvement in both tools (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Flat Magnetic Stimulation, with or without adjuvant pharmacological treatment, demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing pelvic floor hypertonicity, resulting in improvement in symptoms' severity and sonographic parameters of muscular spasm.

High Uterosacral Ligaments Suspension for Post-Hysterectomy Vaginal Vault Prolapse Repair.

Background and Objectives: Uterosacral ligaments (USLs) suspension is a well-studied, safe, and long-lasting technique for central compartment correction. Preliminary clinical experiences showed encouraging data for this technique, also for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse surgical treatment. However, up-to-date evidence for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair through high uterosacral ligaments suspension is limited. Consequently, with this study, we aimed to assess the efficiency, complications frequency, and functional results of native-tissue repair through USLs in vaginal vault prolapse. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study. Women with symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse (≥stage 2) who underwent surgery with transvaginal native-tissue repair by high uterosacral ligaments were included. Patient characteristics, preoperative assessment, operative data, postoperative follow-up visits, and re-interventions were collected from the hospital's record files. High uterosacral ligament suspension was performed according to the technique previously described by Shull. A transverse apical colpotomy at the level of the post-hysterectomy scar was performed in order to enter the peritoneal cavity. USLs were identified and transfixed from ventral to dorsal with three absorbable sutures. Sutures were then passed through the vaginal apex and tightened to close the transverse colpotomy and suspend the vaginal cuff. At the end of the surgical time, a diagnostic cystoscopy was performed in order to evaluate ureteral bilateral patency. Using the POP-Q classification system, we considered an objective recurrence as the descensus of at least one compartment ≥ II stage, or the need for a subsequent surgery for POP. The complaint of bulging symptoms was considered the item to define a subjective recurrence. We employed PGI-I scores to assess patients' satisfaction. Results: Forty-seven consecutive patients corresponding to the given period were analyzed. No intraoperative complications were observed. We observed one postoperative hematoma that required surgical evacuation. Thirty-three patients completed a minimum of one-year follow-up (mean follow-up 21.7 ± 14.6 months). Objective cure rate was observed in 25 patients (75.8%). No patients required reintervention. The most frequent site of recurrence was the anterior compartment (21.2%), while apical compartment prolapse relapsed only in 6% of patients. An improvement in all POP-Q parameters was recorded except TVL which resulted in a mean 0.5 cm shorter. Subjective recurrence was referred by 4 (12.1%) patients. The mean satisfaction assessed by PGI-I score was 1.6 ± 0.8. Conclusion: This analysis demonstrated that native-tissue repair through high USL suspension is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Objective, subjective, functional, and quality of life outcomes were satisfactory, with minimal complications.

Impact of Mannitol Bladder Distension in the Intraoperative Detection of Ureteral Kinking During Pelvic Floor Surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Ureteral injuries are the most feared complications of gynecological surgery and therefore intraoperative recognition is of the utmost importance. Intraoperative cystoscopy represents the diagnostics of choice to investigate ureteral patency thanks to the direct visualization of ureteral flows after administration of infusion mediums. In this study, we aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of saline versus mannitol intraoperative cystoscopy in terms of false negatives in a large cohort of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy and high uterosacral ligament suspension for POP. Patients were divided in two groups based on the use of saline or mannitol medium for intraoperative cystoscopy. Postoperative daily control of serum creatinine was performed until discharge, as well as urinary tract imaging, in symptomatic patients. RESULTS: A total of 925 patients underwent vaginal hysterectomy followed by high USL suspension for POP. Saline and mannitol medium were used in 545 patients and 380 patients respectively. Postoperative ureteral injuries were identified in 12 patients, specifically in 2% of the saline group and in 0.3% of the mannitol group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mannitol instead of saline as a bladder distension medium was able to significantly reduce the occurrence of postoperative ureteral sequelae.

Individual genotypes from environmental DNA: Fingerprinting snow tracks of three large carnivore species.

Continued advancements in environmental DNA (eDNA) research have made it possible to access intraspecific variation from eDNA samples, opening new opportunities to expand non-invasive genetic studies of wildlife populations. However, the use of eDNA samples for individual genotyping, as typically performed in non-invasive genetics, still remains elusive. We present successful individual genotyping of eDNA obtained from snow tracks of three large carnivores: brown bear (Ursus arctos), European lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolf (Canis lupus). DNA was extracted using a protocol for isolating water eDNA and genotyped using amplicon sequencing of short tandem repeats (STR), and for brown bear a sex marker, on a high-throughput sequencing platform. Individual genotypes were obtained for all species, but genotyping performance differed among samples and species. The proportion of samples genotyped to individuals was higher for brown bear (5/7) and wolf (7/10) than for lynx (4/9), and locus genotyping success was greater for brown bear (0.88). The sex marker was typed in six out of seven brown bear samples. Results for three species show that reliable individual genotyping, including sex identification, is now possible from eDNA in snow tracks, underlining its vast potential to complement the non-invasive genetic methods used for wildlife. To fully leverage the application of snow track eDNA, improved understanding of the ideal species- and site-specific sampling conditions, as well as laboratory methods promoting genotyping success, is needed. This will also inform efforts to retrieve and type nuclear DNA from other eDNA samples, thereby advancing eDNA-based individual and population-level studies.

Flat Magnetic Stimulation for Urge Urinary Incontinence.

Background and Objectives: Strategies for overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) management involve, among others, strengthening the bladder outlet to suppress urgency and neuromodulating the sacral roots. Magnetic stimulation (MS) is a technology that involves an extracorporeal device that is able to provide an electromagnetic field specifically designed to interact with pelvic floor neuromuscular tissue. The resulting tissue electrical activity induces contraction of the pelvic muscle and neuromodulation of the S2-S4 sacral roots. Flat Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) is a relevant advancement involving homogeneous electromagnetic fields, which are able to optimize the effect on the entire pelvic area. However, the benefits of this new technology for OAB syndrome are poorly known. Consequently, the aim of our study is to analyze the outcomes and quality of life (QoL) impact of FMS with Dr. Arnold (DEKA, Calenzano, Italy) in women suffering from OAB syndrome associated with urinary incontinence. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included patients with OAB, urge urinary incontinence, and no ongoing OAB treatments. At baseline (T0), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-19), and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) were collected. Patients underwent 8 FMS sessions of 25 min each in one month. At the termination of the therapy (T1), women repeated the ICIQ-UI SF, FSFI-19, and IIQ-7 tools. Moreover, the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire was collected to evaluate the cure rate. Results: Our study enrolled a total of 57 consecutive patients. Most women had at least one second- or third-line treatment before FMS, while the remaining naive patients had contraindications to pharmacological treatments. No women reported adverse effects during the treatment. After the treatment, we observed a decrease in the IIQ-7 (p < 0.001) and ICIQ-UI SF scores (p < 0.001) and an improvement in sexual function (p < 0.001) evaluated with FSFI-19. According to PGI-I scores, 42 (73.7%) women referred to some kind of improvement, scoring ≤ 3 points. Specifically, 8.7% of patients considered themselves very much improved, 29.8% much improved, 35.1% minimally improved, and 26.3% found no changes. FMS was effective in treating OAB symptoms without any adverse effects. The mechanism is supposed to be related to suppressing the initiation of micturition. This makes FMS a promising device for treating naive and refractory urge urinary incontinence. Conclusions: The new FMS represents a promising non-pharmacological option for the treatment of naive and refractory OAB.

Efficacy of a Diode Vaginal Laser in the Treatment of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.

INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) are the most frequent menopause-related clinical entities and are consistently included in the definition of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). Nonhormonal therapies, such as lubricants and moisturizers, are indicated as first-line treatments, while the "gold standard'' is represented by topical estrogen products; however, in cancer survivors hormonal treatment is not indicated. For this reason, energy-based therapeutic approaches-for instance, through laser technologies-may be employed as alternative options in this kind of patient; however, there are no studies evaluating the efficacy of a pure diode vaginal laser in the treatment of GSM. As a consequence, with our study, we aimed to evaluate outpatient nonablative diode laser treatment in sexually active women, with contraindications, no response, or refusal of local estrogenic therapy. METHODS: This prospective study included patients with GSM, aged ≥ 18 years old, with contraindications, or refusal of local estrogen therapies. Women were evaluated via the use of their Vaginal Health Index (VHI) scores, which consists of five measures: elasticity, fluid volume, pH, epithelial integrity, and moisture. Moreover, the intensity of VVA symptoms (vaginal burning, vaginal itching, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and dysuria) was measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS), where the left extreme of the scale (score = 0) indicated "absence of symptom" and the right indicated "symptom as bad as it could be" (score = 100). Sexual function was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-19) questionnaire. The treatment was performed using a Leonardo Dual diode laser (Biolitec Italia Srl, Milano, Italy). The laser treatment consisted of three sessions, one per month. One month after the third session, the VHI, symptom VAS, and FSFI-19 were re-evaluated. In addition, the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire was collected. RESULTS: Our study enrolled a total of 26 consecutive patients. All patients were either in menopause or under treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). None of the patients reported adverse effects after laser treatment. In total, 19 (73.1%) patients referred improvements of their symptoms according to PGI-I scores. All domains of the FSFI-19 questionnaire, significantly improved after the diode laser treatment. The mean VHI score increased by 3.2 points, from 12.2 to 15.4 (p < 0.001). Additionally, we documented a significant improvement in symptoms affecting the VAS score, from 69.2 to 43.5 points (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A diode vaginal laser is an effective and easily tolerated ambulatory procedure for vaginal functional restoration in the treatment of GSM and VVA.

Transvaginal excision of vaginal paraurethral leiomyoma: A video case report.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Vaginal leiomyomas are uncommon benign tumors of the genital district that appear as a circumscribed, mobile, and nontender mass along the vaginal tube. The gold standard of vaginal leiomyoma management is surgical treatment. We aimed to present a clinical case of vaginal leiomyoma successfully treated throughout a transvaginal excision and layered repair. METHODS: A 44-year-old woman was referred to our division for vaginal bulging symptoms and dyspareunia. Clinical examination revealed a 4-5 cm hard bulging mass in the anterior vaginal wall, below the urethra, compatible with vaginal leiomyoma. After proper counseling, the patient was admitted to transvaginal leiomyoma excision plus primary layered repair. RESULTS: No surgical complications were observed. The indwelling catheter was removed the day after the surgery. The patient was successfully discharged home on postoperative day 1. The patient is currently asymptomatic and there are no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: The procedure was successful in obtaining anatomical repair and relieving symptoms. This approach represents a valid procedure for the surgical management of this uncommon condition.

Salivary testosterone levels are associated with Compulsive Sexual Behavior (CSB) in men but not in women in a community sample.

Background and aims: Despite the inclusion of Compulsive Sexual Behavior (CSB) as a diagnostic entity in the ICD-11 and the increasing number of studies addressing psychological factors leading to its onset and maintenance, little is known about the role of hormonal factors when accounting for this clinical condition (especially in women). This study aimed to provide insights into the association between testosterone levels (i.e., the androgen more intimately linked to sexual desire and arousability) and CSB in both men and women. Methods: A total of 80 participants (40 men [Mage = 22.31; SD = 2.93] and 40 women [Mage = 21.79; SD = 2.06]) provided a saliva sample for the estimation of the level of free testosterone and completed a battery of measures assessing CSB and other related sexual domains (sexual sensation seeking and online/offline sexual behavior). Results: In men, salivary testosterone had a positive and significant correlation with three scales assessing CSB (r between 0.316 and 0.334). In women, these correlations were small and non-significant (r between 0.011 and 0.079). In both men and women, the level of salivary testosterone had small non-significant correlations with the other domains of sexual behavior assessed. Discussion and conclusions: Individuals' level of testosterone may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of CSB, but only in men. In women, alternative psychological -i.e., motivational, behavioral, or cognitive- processes may be playing a more central role in the expression of this condition.

Prevalence and severity of bowel disorders in the third trimester of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Bowel-related disorders are common conditions associated with pregnancy and are a cause of significant distress and healthcare burden. However, there is a lack of data in the literature about these disorders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate bowel dysfunctions during the third trimester of pregnancy in a large cohort of women using the validated bowel domain of the Italian version of the Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for Pregnant and Postpartum Women. STUDY DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in hospitals in Italy and Italian-speaking Switzerland. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy were asked to complete the Italian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for Pregnant and Postpartum Women. RESULTS: During the study period, 927 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy responded to the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Overall bowel dysfunctions were reported by 29.6% of patients. Constipation was reported by 66.6% of pregnant women, whereas symptoms of obstructed defecation were reported by 49.9% of patients. In contrast, urgency was reported by 41.1% of patients. Incontinence to flatus and incontinence to stool were reported by 45.1% and 2.8% of patients, respectively. Moreover, age >35 years, familiarity with pelvic floor disorders, nicotine abuse, and pelvic floor contraction inability were identified as independent risk factors for at least 1 bowel symptom. CONCLUSION: Bowel symptoms are extremely common in the third trimester of pregnancy and can greatly affect a patient's quality of life; therefore, bowel symptoms deserve to be investigated and managed properly. The use of validated questionnaires represents a precious tool to investigate functional symptoms that could be very frequent and disabling in this particular period of life for women.

Efficacy and Adverse Effects After Single-Incision Slings for Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: A 12-Year Follow-Up.

Objective: Single-incision slings (SISs) are not considered the first surgical choice for stress urinary incontinence due to few data about long-term results. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of SISs 12 years after implantation and to search for consequences such as deterioration after a certain amount of time. Methods: We included women with stress urinary incontinence both clinically and urodynamically proven who underwent SISs procedure. Objective and subjective cure rates were compared to short-term outcomes to detect possible deterioration over time. Results: A total of 85 patients were analysed with a median follow-up of 12.0 (IQR 10.4-12.8) years. Objective and subjective cure rates were 81.0% and 82.1%, respectively. Median (IQR) PGI-I scores and ICIQ-SF, respectively, were 1 (1-2) and 0 (0-6.8). No significant deterioration of outcomes over time was shown after comparison between short-term and long-term follow-ups (objective cure rate 84.5% vs 81.0%, p=0.684; subjective cure rates 92.9% vs 82.1%, p=0.060). Also, voiding symptoms and overactive bladder did not differ over time (20.2% vs 21.4%, p=1.000; 20.2% vs 33.3%, p=0.080, respectively). Conclusion: SISs were shown to be a procedure with a great efficacy and safety profile at very long-term follow-up.

Pelvic floor ultrasound evaluation in the diagnosis of exposure of synthetic implanted materials in the lower urinary tract.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of pelvic floor ultrasound (PFUS) to recognize prosthetics exposure in the bladder and/or urethra in women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study evaluating patients with LUTS after mesh/sling surgery. PFUS was performed with both transvaginal (TVUS) and translabial (TLUS) approaches. A distance of 1 mm or less from the bladder and/or urethra was considered highly suspect for mesh exposure. After PFUS, patients underwent diagnostic urethrocystoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 100 consecutive women were analyzed. According to urethrocystoscopy, the rate of tape exposure in the lower urinary tract was 3%. PFUS showed 100% sensitivity and 98%-100% specificity in detecting lower urinary tract mesh exposure. The negative predictive value was 100% and the positive predictive value ranged from 33% to 50% for urethral and 100% for bladder exposure. CONCLUSIONS: PFUS represents an effective and reliable non-invasive screening test to exclude prosthetics exposure in the bladder and/or urethra in women with LUTS.

Flat Magnetic Stimulation for Stress Urinary Incontinence: A 3-Month Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: flat magnetic stimulation is based on a stimulation produced by electromagnetic fields with a homogenous profile. Patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can take advantage of this treatment. We aimed to evaluate medium-term subjective, objective, and quality-of-life outcomes in patients with stress urinary incontinence to evaluate possible maintenance schedules. METHODS: a prospective evaluation through the administration of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ7), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was performed at three different time points: at the baseline (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and at 3-month follow-up (T2). The stress test and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire (PGI-I) defined objective and subjective outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: 25 consecutive patients were enrolled. A statistically significant reduction in the IIQ7 and ICIQ-SF scores was noticed at T1 returned to levels comparable to the baseline at T2. However, objective improvement remained significant even at a 3-month follow-up. Moreover, the PGI-I scores at T1 and T2 were comparable, demonstrating stable subjective satisfaction. CONCLUSION: despite a certain persistence of the objective and subjective continence improvement, the urinary-related quality of life decreases and returns to baseline values three months after the end of flat magnetic stimulation. These findings indicate that a further cycle of treatment is probably indicated after 3 months since benefits are only partially maintained after this timespan.