Perioperative changes in superficial pelvic organ prolapse quantification system measurements after prolapse surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the values of perineal body (PB) and genital hiatus (GH) before and after posterior repair. We also evaluated the introital surface area (ISA)-a sum of transverse and longitudinal GH measurements. METHODS: This secondary analysis of a prospective case series included 94 women undergoing posterior vaginal prolapse surgery at a consultant urogynecology clinic between October 3, 2011, and October 2, 2014. Patients were examined in clinic using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system with Valsalva maneuver, and in theatre pre- and postoperatively with traction. RESULTS: Immediately postoperatively, a statistically significant change (all P<0.001) was noted for GH (mean difference -0.59 cm), PB (-0.56 cm), and ISA (-0.87 cm) compared with preoperative measurement. This effect was maintained for GH (-0.42 cm) and PB (-0.40 cm) at 2 months' follow-up (both P<0.001), and for PB alone (-0.43 cm; P=0.04) at 8 months. ISA had a moderate correlation with GH (r=0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior repair significantly improved PB length at months 2 and 8, and GH length at month 2. ISA did not correlate with prolapse stage. Changes in GH were not maintained beyond postoperative month 2.

Effect of body mass index on the incidence of perineal trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between perineal trauma at childbirth and maternal body mass index (BMI), and estimate the risk of perineal trauma among different BMI groups. METHODS: Data were retrospectively assessed from all vaginal deliveries in a UK tertiary maternity unit between 1999 and 2014. Associations between BMI at booking and first- and second-degree tears (minor perineal trauma), third- and fourth-degree tears (obstetric anal sphincter injuries [OASIS]), and frequency of instrumental deliveries were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression included the factors BMI (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), age, ethnicity, smoking, parity, pregnancy length, episiotomies, instrumental delivery, and birth weight. RESULTS: Data from 45 557 deliveries were used. Compared with women with a normal BMI (<25), odds of minor perineal trauma were significantly reduced among women with obesity (BMI 30 to <35; odds ratio [OR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-0.99) or severe obesity (BMI ≥35; OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.98). OASIS was not significantly associated with BMI. Instrumental delivery rates were higher among women with normal BMI (5936/27 107; 22.0%) than among those with severe obesity (284/2032; 14.0%). CONCLUSION: Increased BMI at booking was associated with a reduced incidence of minor perineal trauma at delivery, but was not associated with OASIS.

Comparison between the Valsalva maneuver and intraoperative traction measurements in pelvic organ prolapse assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the assessment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) between the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system with Valsalva maneuver and intraoperative measurement with mechanical traction. METHODS: A prospective observational study included 100 women with POP attending a tertiary urogynecology clinic in the UK and undergoing vaginal prolapse surgical procedures between October 2011 and October 2014. The women were examined in the clinic using POP-Q with the Valsalva maneuver and in the operating theater under general anesthesia with mechanical traction. The two sets of measurements were compared. RESULTS: All POP-Q measurements obtained with traction demonstrated significantly higher descent as compared with those measured by Valsalva maneuver (mean differences: Aa 0.64 cm; Ap 1.32 cm; Ba 0.96 cm; Bp 1.34 cm; C 3.57 cm; D 3.40 cm; all P<0.001). The perineal body and total vaginal lengths did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Measurements of six POP-Q points obtained with traction showed a higher grade of POP than those assessed with Valsalva maneuver. On this basis, surgeons might decide on the extent of surgical procedure after examination under anesthesia; however, preoperative patient counselling would be essential to obtain consent for this approach. The clinical significance of the findings requires further evaluation.

Three-dimensional volume rendering of pelvic models and paraurethral masses based on MRI cross-sectional images.

AIMS: Our aim was to assess the feasibility of rendering 3D pelvic models using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of patients with vaginal, urethral and paraurethral lesions and obtain additional information previously unavailable through 2D imaging modalities. METHODS: A purposive sample of five female patients 26-40 years old undergoing investigations for vaginal or paraurethral mass was obtained in a tertiary teaching hospital. 3D volume renderings of the bladder, urethra and paraurethral masses were constructed using 3D-Slicer v.3.4.0. Spatial dimensions were determined and compared with findings from clinical, MRI, surgical and histopathological reports. The quality of information regarding size and location of paraurethral masses obtained from 3D models was compared with information from cross-sectional MRI and review of clinical, surgical and histopathological findings. RESULTS: The analysis of rendered 3D models yielded detailed anatomical dimensions and provided information that was in agreement and in higher detail than information based on clinical examination, cross-sectional 2D MRI analysis and histopathological reports. High-quality pelvic 3D models were rendered with the characteristics and resolution to allow identification and detailed viewing of the spatial relationship between anatomical structures. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first preliminary study to evaluate the role of MRI-based 3D pelvic models for investigating paraurethral masses. This is a feasible technique and may prove a useful addition to conventional 2D MRI. Further prospective studies are required to evaluate this modality for investigating such lesions and planning appropriate management.

Shoulder dystocia and associated manoeuvres as risk factors for perineal trauma.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Shoulder dystocia (SD) is an obstetric emergency that can be associated with serious neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in women who sustained SD at birth. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study over a 5-year period whereby 403 cases of SD were identified. The primary outcome measure was to identify the incidence of OASIS in women with SD. We also evaluated the role of the manoeuvres used for the management of SD and aimed to identify possible correlations between specific manoeuvres and OASIS by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Shoulder dystocia was associated with a three-fold increase in the risk of OASIS in our population. The use of internal manoeuvres (OR 2.182: 95 % CI 1.173-4.059), an increased number of manoeuvres ≥ 4 (OR 4.667: 95 % CI 1.846-11.795), Woods' screw manoeuvre (OR 3.096: 95 % CI 1.554-6.169), reverse Woods' screw manoeuvre (OR 4.848: 95 % CI 1.647-14.277) and removal of the posterior arm (OR 2.222: 95 % CI 1.117-4.421) were all associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of OASIS. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, instrumental deliveries, the use of internal manoeuvres (Woods' screw and reverse Woods' screw) and four or more manoeuvres for the management of SD were independently associated with a higher incidence of OASIS. To effectively manage shoulder dystocia with lower risks of perineal trauma, these factors could be considered when designing further prospective studies and developing management protocols.

Kielland's forceps: does it increase the risk of anal sphincter injuries? An observational study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Rotational instrumental deliveries are thought to carry additional risks compared with non-rotational instrumental deliveries, including trauma to maternal tissues, and require specific expertise and training. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the association between the type of forceps delivery and maternal perineal trauma, and in particular to investigate if Kielland's rotational forceps delivery increases obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of 1,515 women who attended a tertiary maternity unit over a period of 5 years and had operative vaginal deliveries primarily or completed by forceps. Data were obtained through the hospital's maternity reporting system. The severity of maternal perineal trauma, particularly third and fourth-degree tears in relation to the type of forceps delivery was explored. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the crude and the adjusted relative risks (RR) of sustaining third-degree tears compared with other types of vaginal tears. Univariate analyses explored the crude associations between relative risks and age, ethnicity, birth weight, type of instrumental delivery and operator's experience. A multivariate multinomial logistic regression model estimated the adjusted relative risks and included all the previous variables as independent covariates. RESULTS: Of the 1,492 women included in the study, 150 women (77 %) had sustained category 1 tears, 63 women (4 %) had sustained category 2 tears and 279 women (19 %) had sustained third-degree tears. There was no statistically significant association between the severity of maternal perineal trauma and the type of forceps delivery (failed ventouse vs Kielland's forceps RR 1.52, p = 0.159 CI 0.84-2.72, Wrigleys vs Kielland's RR 0.59, p = 0.249, CI 0.24-1.43; Andersons vs Kielland's RR 1.16, p = 0.603, CI 0.65-2.05) after adjusting for age, birth weight, BMI, ethnicity and operator experience (full list of covariates not included). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of third- and fourth-degree tears following rotational Kielland's forceps delivery and other non-rotational forceps deliveries is comparable.