Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Prevalence of Levator Ani Avulsion with Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury and its Effects on Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of levator ani avulsion (LAA) among primiparous women with obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and how this association could affect future pelvic floor dysfunction. METHODS: Three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed/EMBASE) were searched in December 2018 and again in October 2022. Nine full-text articles were included in the analysis. The exclusion criteria were language other than English, studies not based on primiparous women only, conference abstracts, and evaluation without ultrasound or MRI. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of LAA was 24% (95% CI: 18-30%). Those with OASI, were at a higher risk of LAA, OR 3.49 (95% CI: 1.46 to 8.35). In women with LAA + OASI versus OASI alone, Three of Five studies showed worsened AI symptoms. Three of Five studies assessing urinary incontinence (UI) reported no significant difference in UI, whereas two reported increased UI. All studies that looked at pelvic organ prolapse reported a higher incidence of symptomatic prolapse and reduced pelvic floor muscle strength in women with LAA + OASI compared with those without LAA. CONCLUSION: Levator ani avulsion is prevalent following vaginal birth and is strongly associated with OASI. Incidence of AI does not increase in women with LAA and OASI, but they had greater symptom bother. OASI with LAA appears to increase the incidence of pelvic floor weakness and pelvic organ prolapse. There is no consensus agreement on the effect of LAA + OASI on UI.

Septic presentation of a giant fibroepithelial polyp of the vulva.

Fibroepithelial stromal polyps are mesenchymal lesions occurring typically in reproductive age women with a predilection for the vulvo-vaginal region. Malignancy may mimic this polyp in morphology, rendering further investigations including detailed histopathology mandatory. Histologically its characteristic features are stellate and multinucleate stromal cells identified near the epithelial-stromal interface. This case report discusses incidental finding of largest fibroepithelial polyp presented in a 31-year-old nulliparous woman. She was initially admitted with sepsis and detailed physical examination revealed a right-sided infected pedunculated labial mass measuring 20×21 cm. After initial resuscitation for sepsis, she was further investigated for the mass. Transabdominal ultrasound was essentially normal apart from a small fibroid 3×2 cm in the anterior wall of the uterus. The vulval mass was removed under local and regional anaesthesia and was confirmed to be a giant fibroepithelial stromal polyp on histopathology. The woman recovered well and was followed up until 1 year.

Justification for hysterectomies and frequency of histopathological lesions of hysterectomy at a Teaching Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the justification for hysterectomies and the frequencies of histopathological lesions and complications in hystrectomised patients. METHODOLOGY: As a part of a quality assurance process at the Mercy Teaching Hospital, hysterectomies performed between 1(st) January, 2010 and 1(st) Jan 2012 were retrospectively analyzed for presenting complaints, surgical indication, histologic findings, and postoperative complications. The hysterectomy was considered justified if the preoperative diagnosis was verified by the pathology report or if significant alternate pathology was present. RESULTS: A total of 123 hysterectomies were performed during this period. Eleven (8.9%) patients' results could not be traced. The other 91.1% had some pathology found. Histologic findings reconfirmed the clinical diagnoses. The hysterectomies were considered justified if p=0.000. Hysterectomy was performed abdominally in 88 (71.5%) patients, vaginally in 35 patients (28.4%). The most common indication for hysterectomy was fibroid related menorrhagia n=40(32.5%), followed by third degree uterovaginal prolapse n=30(24.4%), and dysfunctional uterine bleeding 29(23.6%) patients. Fever was the most common 7(5.7%) post operative complication followed by urinary tract infection 5(4.9%) The incidence of postoperative fever was greater following abdominal surgery, while urinary tract infection was greater following vaginal hysterectomy (P=0.370). CONCLUSION: Almost 91.1% of all hysterectomies in this study were justified. Clinical diagnoses were related to presenting complaints (p=0.000) and were confirmed by histopathogic findings (p=0.000). Most of the hysterectomies were carried out abdominally in part because fewer patients presented with prolapse.