Urodynamic indices and pelvic organ prolapse quantification 3 months after vaginal delivery in primiparous women.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to describe multichannel urodynamic indices and pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) in primiparous women 3 months after vaginal delivery. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a group of women who had been randomized to either coached or non-coached pushing during the second stage of labor. Primiparous women were evaluated with POP-Q examination and multichannel urodynamic testing 3 months after vaginal delivery. RESULTS: Of 128 women evaluated, the cumulative stage of prolapse was distributed as 4.7% stage 0, 39% stage I, 56% stage II, and none with stage III prolapse or greater. For the anterior compartment, most had stage II prolapse. Stage I prolapse predominated for both the central and posterior compartments. Of the women, 14.1% had urodynamic stress incontinence, 12.5% had detrusor overactivity, and 6% had both. CONCLUSIONS: In a predominantly Hispanic primiparous population, ICS POP-Q stage II prolapse of the vagina, urodynamic stress incontinence, and detrusor overactivity are common findings at a 3-month postpartum assessment.

Randomized trial comparing 2 fiber regimens for the reduction of symptoms of constipation.

OBJECTIVE: : This study aimed to compare the effects of a special bowel recipe with psyllium on symptoms of constipation. METHODS: : Women with symptoms of constipation were randomized to 6 weeks of either psyllium or a special bowel recipe. Patients completed a constipation scoring questionnaire and recorded characteristics of each bowel movement. RESULTS: : A total of 53 participants completed prestudy and poststudy constipation scoring questionnaires. Both groups demonstrated improvement in constipation scores (psyllium: 13.9 ± 4.7 to 9.0 ± 4.6, P < 0.001; recipe: 13.6 ± 4.1 to 8.5 ± 5.0, P < 0.001). Mean differences in pretreatment and posttreatment constipation scores were not statistically different between the 2 groups.Subjects taking the bowel recipe strained only 20% of the time compared with those using psyllium who strained 57% of the time (P = 0.007). Other symptoms improved from baseline, but the majority was not different between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: : The bowel recipe demonstrated no significant difference in efficacy to pure fiber.

Pessary use and management for pelvic organ prolapse.

Pessary is a low-risk and effective non-surgical treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse. Indications for pessary include symptomatic prolapse, if surgery is not desired or recommended, and use as a diagnostic tool to predict surgical outcomes. Evidence for pessary selection and management is incomplete so trial and error, expert opinion, and experience remain the best guides for use and management of the pessary. With proper training and understanding of pessary management, most patients can be successfully fitted and taught to manage the pessary either for short- or long-term relief of symptoms. Patient satisfaction is high making pessary an important tool in treating prolapse.

Incontinence pessaries: size, POPQ measures, and successful fitting.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to determine whether successful incontinence pessary fitting or pessary size can be predicted by specific POPQ measurements in women without advanced pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: In a multicenter study, women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and POPQ stage < or = 2 were randomized to three treatment arms: (1) incontinence pessary, (2) behavioral therapy, or (3) both. This study evaluates incontinence pessary size, POPQ measures, and successful fitting in the 266 women assigned to treatment arms 1 and 3. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-five women (92%) were successfully fitted with an incontinence ring (n = 122) or dish (n = 113). Hysterectomy, genital hiatus (GH), and GH/total vaginal length (TVL) ratios did not predict unsuccessful fitting (p > 0.05). However, mean TVL was greater in women successfully fitted (9.6 vs. 8.8 cm, p < 0.01). Final pessary diameter was not predicted by TVL, point D, or point C (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of women with SUI can be successfully fitted with an incontinence pessary, but specific POPQ measures were not helpful in determining incontinence pessary size.

Urethral erosion of tension-free vaginal tape presenting as recurrent stress urinary incontinence.

The suburethral sling with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) has become a popular treatment for stress urinary incontinence. Erosion of the mesh into the urethra is rare, usually presenting with hematuria, pain, voiding dysfunction or urge incontinence. A patient with stress incontinence was treated with a TVT suburethral sling. One month later, symptoms of recurrent stress incontinence developed. Cystourethroscopy revealed urethral mesh erosion. Surgical removal involved cystourethroscopic-assisted transurethral resection of the mesh, followed by vaginal dissection and periurethral withdrawal. Urethral mesh erosion should be considered in a patient who presents with atypical symptoms after being treated with a suburethral sling. It is important to obtain a detailed history and have a high clinical index of suspicion for erosion. Careful and comprehensive urethroscopy, in addition to cystoscopy, should be a mandatory part of the TVT procedure. Further study is needed to determine the optimal technique for mesh removal.