Incidental urinary tract injury and the formation of vesicovaginal fistula at the time of hysterectomy for benign indications.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The association between hysterectomy type, laparoscopy use and vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is currently unclear and would be useful to determine route of surgery and provide adequate patient counseling. The objective of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of association between the use of laparoscopic assistance, recognized intraoperative urinary tract injury and subsequent VVF repair and to quantify any differences in fistula repair and injury detection by hysterectomy type. Lastly, we sought to determine whether the type of hysterectomy is a risk factor for VVF repair independent of injury identification. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study utilizing the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database examining benign hysterectomies performed in California, New York and Florida from 2005-2011. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations among hysterectomy type, reported injury and VVF. RESULTS: Of 581,395 eligible hysterectomies, urinary tract injuries occurred in 6702 patients (1.15%) and 640 patients developed VVF (0.11%). Patients with reported injury were 20-fold more likely to develop VVF than those without (OR = 20.6; 1.96% vs. 0.089% respectively). The association between reported injury and VVF development was stronger if laparoscopy was involved (OR = 30) than if it was not (OR = 17). Patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures were less likely to have injury reported (OR = 0.6) but more likely to undergo VVF repair (OR = 1.5). This association with VVF repair was independent of injury identification. Patients developing VVF were more likely to have undergone total abdominal hysterectomy compared to other hysterectomy types. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an independent risk factor for the need for subsequent VVF repair, independent of hysterectomy type and presence of intraoperatively recognized urinary tract injury.

Effect of COVID-19 on Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Education and Training.

IMPORTANCE: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a noticeable disruption in national medical and surgical care, including medical training. OBJECTIVES: We designed a survey to examine the educational effect of the pandemic on female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) training and secondarily to identify areas for innovation and opportunity in FPMRS fellowship training. STUDY DESIGN: We used an online survey, approved by the American Urogynecologic Society Scientific Committee and distributed it to FPMRS fellows with responses obtained and stored in REDCap. Demographic data, educational and surgical experiences, the implications of the changes, and data regarding working from home were collected. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 88 fellows, with 92% of respondents being obstetrics and gynecology- based. All 10 geographic regions had at least one response. Six regions had a 50% or greater redeployment rate. Only 16% of respondents were not redeployed or on-call to be redeployed. Eighty-five percent of the ob/gyn fellow redeployments were within their home department. There was no relationship between training region and redeployment. Only 31.7% of the respondents continued to perform any FPMRS surgery. Approximately 35% of the fellows desired the opportunity for surgical simulation training because surgical cases were reduced.No relationship was seen between either redeployment status and needs (P = 0.087-0.893) or difficulties (P = 0.092-0.864) nor training location and needs (P = 0.376-0.935) or difficulties (P = 0.110-0.921). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high rate of redeployment among fellows; however, this was not associated with their reported needs and difficulties. The FPMRS-related surgical experience was affected during this time, and the fellows desired increased surgical simulation training.