Multidisciplinary approach to evaluation of rectovaginal fistulas.

Thorough evaluation of a rectovaginal fistula is essential to optimize surgical repair. The underlying cause should be addressed and treated, which can affect the timing and the approach to repair. It is imperative to be well prepared because the highest chance of successful closure occurs during the initial repair attempt. Our objective was to demonstrate how multidisciplinary colorectal surgery and urogynecology teams use specific methods during the examination under anesthesia to evaluate a complex rectovaginal fistula and to optimize the surgical approach to repair. Anesthesia may be provided with monitored anesthesia care and a posterior perineal block. This pain control allows for a wide range of techniques to evaluate the fistula using anoscopy, fistula probe, hydrogen peroxide, and sigmoidoscopy. In addition, the teams show how curettage and subsequent seton placement can encourage closure by secondary intention and decrease the risk of abscess formation, respectively.

Diet Intake After Diet Modification Intervention in Women With Fecal Incontinence.

IMPORTANCE: Older women with fecal incontinence (FI) who underwent diet modification intervention (DMI) showed significant improvement in FI symptoms. It is unclear whether improvement in symptoms was associated with objective changes in dietary intake quality. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to determine if improvement in overall dietary intake quality was associated with improvement in FI symptoms. Our secondary aim was to evaluate whether individual food group consumption changes were associated with changes in FI symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: This was an ancillary analysis of a prospective cohort study of women aged 65 years and older with FI who underwent DMI. Seven-day diet-and-bowel diaries at baseline and 6 weeks after DMI were examined for how frequently participants consumed food categories and FI triggers. Adherence to recommended dietary guidelines was assessed between 2 and 4 weeks using a 24-hour diet recall. Baseline and postintervention consumption were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Spearman correlation was used to compare dietary intake changes with FI symptom changes. RESULTS: Twenty-four women completed the 24-hour diet recalls, and 17 women completed the 7-day diet-and-bowel diaries at baseline and 6 weeks. More participants who were adherent had clinically significant improvement in symptoms compared with those who were not adherent (70% vs 30%, P =0.57). Decreased consumption of saturated fats ( P =0.01) and fried foods ( P <0.001) was associated with improvement in FI symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In this small population, overall dietary intake quality was not associated with change in FI symptom improvement. Decreased intake of saturated fat and fried food was associated with FI symptom improvement.

Variation in diagnosis of urinary incontinence in women by provider and patient demographic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence (UI) among women is under-recognized in primary care setting. We hypothesized that UI is, therefore, more commonly diagnosed by specialists. Our aim was to determine the rate of UI diagnosis by provider and patient demographics, and whether these factors affect the likelihood of UI diagnosis. METHODS: Retrospective study using electronic medical records from 2010 to 2019. Ambulatory patient encounters by adult females were identified. Encounters with new diagnosis of UI (stress, urgency, mixed, or unspecified) were identified using ICD 9 and 10 codes. The following data were extracted: diagnosing provider specialty and sex, patient age, BMI, race, estimated household income, insurance coverage and type, and primary care provider (PCP). Rate of UI diagnosis was calculated using proportions. Univariable comparison and multivariable logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: 576,110 patient encounters were captured. 14,378 patient encounters had UI diagnosis (2.5%). UI population had the following characteristics: Mean age of 60.1 ± 15.5 years, 65.6% identified as white, 75.7% had a PCP, and 87.9% had insurance. UI diagnosis rate was < 1% for PCPs. Multivariable logistic regression showed that urogynecologists and female providers were more likely to diagnose UI; patient demographics associated with UI diagnosis included older age, elevated BMI, white race, commercial insurance, and having a PCP. Estimated household income did not have a significant effect. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of UI is seldom made by PCPs. Race, insurance, and having a PCP may affect the likelihood of receiving UI diagnosis. Continued efforts to promote equity in recognizing UI may be warranted.

Protocol for evaluating women with female genital mutilation seeking asylum.

Rapid immigration from countries that practice female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has introduced new populations requiring culturally sensitive health care. Clinicians play an important role in providing documentation and expert testimony for women seeking asylum on the basis on FGM/C. The intent of this paper is to provide instruction to providers aiming to evaluate an individual seeking asylum based on FGM/C. This document provides guidance about the three primary parts of evaluation: the interview, exam, and report. Other goals of investigation include preventing and ending suffering, compensation, and psychological or physical rehabilitation.