Long-term results of prolapse recurrence and functional outcome after vaginal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of prolapse and prolapse-related symptoms following vaginal hysterectomy. METHODS: Data were reviewed from women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy between 1988, and 1995, at St George's Hospital, London, UK, and attended long-term follow-up. Outcome measures included a questionnaire for prolapse, urinary, bowel, and sexual symptoms; and a vaginal examination. RESULTS: Among 94 women attending long-term evaluation, the mean follow-up time was 100.7 months (range 67.0-156.0 months). Before vaginal hysterectomy, urgency was noted among 23 (24.5%), urge incontinence among 11 (11.7%), and stress incontinence among 8 (8.5%) women. At follow-up, these symptoms were observed among 23 (24.5%), 13 (13.8%), and 6 (6.4%) women, respectively. De novo urge incontinence and de novo stress incontinence were observed among 3 (3.2%) and 2 (2.1%) women, respectively. Vaginal examination data were compared for 70 women, of whom 18 (25.7%) had grade 1, 40 (57.1%) had grade 2, and 6 (8.6%) had grade 3 uterine prolapsed before surgery. Postoperatively, vaginal vault prolapse occurred in 7 (10.0%) women and correlated with degree of posterior prolapse (P=0.007), but not with severity of uterine descent (P=0.205) or previous prolapse surgery (P=0.573). CONCLUSION: The incidence of post-hysterectomy vault prolapse correlated with the degree of preoperative rectocele.

Significant improvement in the quality of life in women treated with a novel disposable intravaginal device for stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) while using a novel disposable intravaginal device. METHODS: Fifty women with severe SUI who completed a 7-day control period followed by a 28-day device usage period underwent QoL assessments based on two validated questionnaires, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6). RESULTS: Mean total score for the IIQ-7 decreased from 41.8 +/- 24.1 to 4.4 +/- 8.7 at the pre- and poststudy visits, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean total score for the UDI-6 decreased from 48.2 +/- 16.1 to 11.5 +/- 11.9 at the pre- and poststudy visits, respectively (P < 0.001). Statistically significant decreases in most subscale scores were observed by the end of the study for both questionnaires (all P values <0.001). CONCLUSION: The novel disposable intravaginal device significantly improved QoL in women with SUI.

Efficacy and safety of a novel disposable intravaginal device for treating stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel disposable intravaginal device for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty women with severe SUI were recruited from 2 sites in Israel to wear preweighed pads during a 7-day control period followed by a 28-day device usage period in which the device and preweighed pads were worn daily for 8 hours. The primary endpoint was the percentage of women who achieved a > or = 70% reduction in pad weight gain (PWG) from the control period to the last 14 days of device usage. RESULTS: Sixty women who enrolled into the study and used the device for any period of time were included in the intent to treat (ITT) population. Eighty-five percent of them achieved a > or = 70% reduction in PWG (P = .01). Improvements in overall quality of life, subjective perception of incontinence, and satisfaction with the device were observed. CONCLUSION: The intravaginal device is easy to use, well-tolerated, and effective in reducing SUI.

A comparative study of water perfusion catheters and microtip transducer catheters for urethral pressure measurements.

The aim of this study was to compare the maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) measures with two different techniques: water perfused catheter and microtip transducer catheters with respect to reproducibility and comparability for urethral pressure measurements. Eighteen women with stress urinary incontinence had repeat static urethral pressure profilometry on a different day using a dual microtip transducer and water perfused catheter (Brown and Wickham). The investigators were blinded to the results of the other. The microtip measurements were taken in the 45 degrees upright sitting position with the patient at rest at a bladder capacity of 250 ml using an 8 Fr Gaeltec double microtip transducer withdrawn at 1 mm/s, and the transducer was orientated in the three o'clock position. Three different measures were taken for each patient. Three water perfusion measurements were performed with the patient at rest in the 45 degrees upright position at a bladder capacity of 250 ml using an 8 Fr BARD dual lumen catheter withdrawn at 1 mm/s. The mean water perfusion MUCP measure was 26.1 cm H2O, significantly lower than the mean microtip measure of 35.7 cm H2O. The correlation coefficient comparing each water perfusion measurement with the other water perfusion measures in the same patient was excellent, at 0.95 (p = 0.01). Correlation coefficient comparing each microtip measure with the other microtip measure in the same patient was also good, ranging from 0.70 to 0.80. This study confirms that both water perfusion catheters and microtip transducers have excellent or very good reproducibility with an acceptable intraindividual variation for both methods.

Bilateral iliococcygeal fixation for vaginal vault prolapse and enterocele repair using a new suturing device--the digital needle driver.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the surgical feasibility, efficacy and safety of the digital needle driver (DND 202), a modified, flexible surgical device, during iliococcygeal fixation (ICF) for vaginal vault prolapse and enterocele repair. A prospective longitudinal study was carried out among 21 consecutive patients who underwent bilateral iliococcygeal fixation at St George's Hospital, London. All patients filled a comprehensive questionnaire for pre- and post-operative prolapse, urinary, bowel and sexual symptoms and underwent pre- and post-operative site-specific vaginal examination, following the standardized International Continence Society scoring for prolapse, pre-operative urodynamic studies and analysis of the surgical results. The outcome measures were the feasibility of the procedure, the time needed, intra- and post-operative complications, short-term post-operative prolapse-associated symptoms and pelvic organ prolapse quantification. The mean age of the patients was 65 [5] years and the mean body mass index (kg/m(2)) was 23 [2.7]. In addition to ICF, 8 patients underwent vaginal hysterectomy, 18 had posterior repairs, 7 had anterior repairs and 6 had TVT. The mean time for ICF was 20 [11] minutes, the mean blood loss per surgical procedure was 264 [225] mL and the mean hospitalization time was 4.6 [1.2] days. Postoperatively, one patient had mesh erosion. At short-term post-operative evaluation none of the patient had prolapse symptoms. There was a statistically significant improvement in all stages of the apical and posterior walls prolapse (p < 0.001). The mean total vaginal length was significantly shorter postoperatively (7.8 [1.0] cm vs 6.6 [1.4] cm, p < 0.001). Thus, we can conclude that the use of DND device may facilitate the vaginal approach for vaginal vault prolapse and enterocele repair.

Sacrocolpopexy for vault prolapse and rectocele: do concomitant Burch colposuspension and perineal mesh detachment affect the outcome?

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the effect of abdominal sacrocolpopexy with posterior Teflon mesh interposition with and without concomitant Burch colposuspension on the posterior compartment. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective review includes 49 consecutive women who underwent sacrocolpopexy for vault or uterine prolapse stage 2 or higher and rectocele; 25 of them had a concomitant Burch colposuspension for urodynamic stress incontinence. Postoperative bladder, bowel and sexual function and recurrent pelvic organ prolapse was assessed at > or =12 months. RESULTS: There was no recurrent vault prolapse. Rectoceles (stage 2) recurred in 5 women (21%) without and in 8 women (36%) with Burch colposuspension ( P > .05). The mesh became detached by >2 cm from its perineal position in 30% of the cases, which was associated with excessive defecation straining ( P = .04). Rectocele stages significantly correlated with mesh detachment ( P > .001) but not with obstructed defecation ( P > .05). CONCLUSION: Sacrocolpopexy was effective if the mesh did not become detached from its perineal position. Concomitant Burch colposuspension did not seem to affect the posterior compartment adversely in this small case series.

Bulking agents for stress urinary incontinence: short-term results and complications in a randomized comparison of periurethral and transurethral injections.

The purpose of our study was to compare the two standard routes of urethral bulking injection in a prospective randomized trial. Forty women with genuine stress incontinence (n = 36), or mixed incontinence with a minor and controlled urge component (n = 4), participated in a urethral bulking agent trial. All patients had a standardized preoperative evaluation which included history, physical examination, assignment of incontinence status on a Stamey grading scale, postvoid residual (PVR) determination, Valsalva leak-point pressure, maximal urethral closure pressure, functional urethral length, Q-tip excursion angle, quantitative pad test, and completion of a quality of life questionnaire. On the day of injection they were randomly assigned to a periurethral or transurethral route of injection based on a computer-generated block randomization scheme. An ultrasound-determined PVR was obtained on all patients after injection. If self-catheterization was necessary, and the PVR was > 200 ml, urinary retention was diagnosed. Postoperative assessment included a patient interview, subjective assessment of improvement, PVR, voiding diary, and assignment of incontinence grade. At the screening visit there were no significant differences between the groups for any variables except type of stress incontinence. With short-term follow-up both transurethral and periurethral routes of injection seem to be equally efficacious. In the periurethral injection group there was a higher rate of postoperative retention; this group had a significantly higher volume of injectable agent used. There was no significant difference in risk of urinary tract infections between the two groups. We conclude that both periurethral and transurethral methods of bulking agent injection for stress urinary incontinence are equally efficacious, with minimal morbidity.

The tension-free vaginal tape in older women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate peri-operative morbidity, continence outcome and patient satisfaction in older women (>/=65 years) compared with younger women undergoing tension-free vaginal tape. DESIGN: Case controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary Urogynaecology Unit. SAMPLE: Women undergoing tension-free vaginal tape for urodynamic stress incontinence between July 1999 and July 2002 were included. Those with detrusor overactivity, voiding difficulty at urodynamics or requiring concomitant prolapse surgery were excluded. METHODS: Older women were case matched to a younger cohort for BMI, parity, mode of anaesthesia and whether it was a primary or secondary continence procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative morbidity and continence outcome were assessed at six weeks. After a minimum six months follow up, patient satisfaction and continence outcome were assessed using the Genitourinary Treatment Satisfaction Score (GUTSS). RESULTS: The median hospital stay was one day and overall urinary tract infection rate was similar in both groups. Post-operative voiding difficulty rates were 3% in older versus 15% in younger women (P= 0.09). At six weeks, 65% of older versus 79% of younger women were dry (P= 0.2). At a median of 12 months, 15 (45%) of older versus 24 (73%) of younger women had no urinary symptoms (P= 0.05). Median GUTSS scores for satisfaction with continence outcome were lower for older 90% compared with 100% in younger women (P= 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Tension-free vaginal tape is an effective continence intervention in older women but has a lower continence satisfaction rate compared with younger women.

Does Burch colposuspension cure coital incontinence?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Burch colposuspension for stress urinary incontinence on concomitant coital incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: The urogynecology database was searched for sexually active women, who experienced coital incontinence on vaginal penetration, orgasm, or both and who had subsequently undergone Burch colposuspension for urodynamic stress incontinence. The women were interviewed or sent a questionnaire on postoperative bladder and sexual function after a minimum follow-up time of 6 months. RESULTS: Thirty of 43 women answered the questionnaire. Preoperatively, 22 women (73%) experienced urinary leakage during penetration, 3 (10%) during orgasm and 5 (17%) at both. Stress incontinence symptoms were successfully treated in 23 (77%). Coital incontinence was cured in 21 of 30 (70%) and improved in 2. CONCLUSION: The results of this small series suggest that coital incontinence is likely to be cured or improved when stress incontinence has been successfully treated by Burch colposuspension.

Comparison of the ICIQ-SF and 24-hour pad test with other measures for evaluating the severity of urodynamic stress incontinence.

This study compared the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the 24-h pad test with other measures that assess severity of urinary loss in women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). Ninety-five women with primary or recurrent (secondary) USI were recruited. Assessment of the severity of urinary loss was made using the ICIQ-SF, a 24-h pad test, continence questionnaire, Stamey grade, and 3-day frequency volume diary. The relationship between these measures of incontinence severity was analysed. The mean age was 54 years (SD+/-12) and median parity 2 (IQR 1-3). In the primary USI group there was a strong correlation between the ICIQ-SF and the 24-h pad test (r=0.458, P =0.000). Both the ICIQ-SF (Kendall's' tau b=0.331, p =0.003) and 24-h pad test (Kendall's tau b=0.399, p =0.002) also correlated with the mean frequency of urinary loss on diary but not with the Stamey grade. No subjective or objective tests correlated with each other in women with secondary USI. These results demonstrate a good correlation between the 24-h pad test diary loss, and ICIQ-SF in women with primary USI. Because it also includes a measure of quality of life impact in a short user-friendly format, we suggest that the ICIQ-SF should have widespread applicability as an outcome measure in patients with stress incontinence.

Incontinence and voiding difficulties associated with prolapse.

PURPOSE: Prolapse is the protrusion of a pelvic organ beyond its normal anatomical confines. It represents the failure of fibromuscular supports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search was done using the keywords cystocele, uterine prolapse, vault prolapse, enterocele or rectocele in combination with urinary incontinence. We reviewed 97 articles. From this material the definition, classification, incidence, symptoms and evaluation are described. RESULTS: Prolapse and urinary incontinence often occur concomitantly and cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, uterine descent or vaginal vault prolapse may also be present. The pathophysiology of prolapse encompasses direct and indirect injury, metabolic abnormalities and chronic high intra-abdominal pressure. Anterior vaginal wall prolapse may present as stress incontinence. A large cystocele may cause urethral kinking and overflow incontinence. Uterine descent can cause lower back and sacral pain. Enterocele may cause only vague symptoms of vaginal discomfort. A rectocele can lead to incomplete evacuation of stool. A thorough history and physical examination are the most important means of assessment. A voiding diary helps determine functional bladder capacity. Uroflow examination determines the average and maximum flow rates, and the shape of the curve can help identify Valsalva augmented voiding. Multichannel urodynamics or video-urodynamics with prolapse reduced can be important. The advantages of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging include excellent depiction of the soft tissues and pelvic organs, and their fluid content during various degrees of pelvic strain. To our knowledge whether it is cost-effective in this manner has not been determined. CONCLUSIONS: Correction of prolapse must aim to restore vaginal function and any concomitant urinary incontinence.

Vaginal wind - a new pelvic symptom.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors, investigations and treatments for vaginal wind. A prospective longitudinal study was carried out at a tertiary care referral centre at St George's Hospital, London. Six consecutive women with symptomatic vaginal air were enrolled in the study, which used a comprehensive questionnaire for vaginal air, prolapse, urinary, bowel and sexual symptoms, vaginal examination following the Standardized ICS Scoring System for prolapse, physiotherapist evaluation, and analysis of the treatment. Main outcome measures were the effect of the patient's age, weight, parity, mode of delivery, fetal weight, and the treatment (conservative and surgical) on the frequency of vaginal wind. The mean age of the six women was 32.8+/-9.9 years (range 21-52), the mean BMI was 23.1+/-5.5 (range 15.2-32.2), all women were premenopausal and five were parous. The mean estimated frequency of the symptoms was 20.0+/-8.1 per day (range 10-40). All the patients completed a course of pelvic floor physiotherapy and one patient had a posterior repair and later a Fenton operation without improvement. A modified 'Bard' pessary was the main form of treatment and resolved the symptoms in two women. Vaginal wind causes significant distress and embarrassment to sufferers. Further information on risk factors, evaluation and treatment modalities should be obtained.

MRI visualization of the female pelvis in the plane of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure.

We evaluated the distances and angles of the major blood vessels from various pelvic structures in the plane of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure in 19 pelvic MR imagies. The major blood vessels were the iliofemoral vessels. The mean distance of the left iliofemoral vessels from the midline was 5.7+/-0.4 cm, and 5.7+/-0.3 cm for the right vessels. The mean distance of the left sacral tuberosities from the midline was 5.5+/-0.4 cm, and 5.6+/-0.3 cm for the right vessels. The angle between the midurethra and the left iliofemoral vessels was 50.6+/-4.4 cm, and 49.6+/-4.0 cm for the right. A significant correlation was found between the distance of the right and left iliofemoral vessels from the midline and the distance of right and left sacral tuberosities from the midline ( P<0.01, P<0.007). We suggest that palpation of the sacral tuberosities might indicate the location of the iliofemoral blood vessels.