Effect of pelvic floor status on the outcome of pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common diagnosis with an incidence in the population of up to 50%. POP causes restrictions in everyday life and reduces patients' quality of life. Therapy is either conservative in the form of physiotherapy or the use of different types of pessaries, possibly. in case of inappropriateness or failure of conservative treatment, an operative solution is chosen. Avulsion injury of the levator ani muscle (MLA) is a strong factor in the development of POP. Some patients undergo repeated surgeries for POP, negatively impacting their quality of life. Studies show that the stage of POP and avulsion injury is associated with an increased risk of recurrence after index prolapse surgery. Ultrasound diagnosis of MLA injuries might help in predicting the risk of recurrence. Assessment of pelvic floor function is crucial for the success of surgical management of POP.

When to assess residual anal sphincter defect after OASI by ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: Obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are complications of vaginal delivery. Unrepaired anal sphincter after delivery increases the risk of anal incontinence. The aim of our study is to search for residual defect after OASI repair by 4D introital ultrasound (US). We hypothesised that imaging prior to hospital discharge would show the same number of defects as assessment at 3 months. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of 138 patients with immediate repair after OASIS. Since 2009, we have been routinely inviting all our patients with OASIS to the perineal clinic for postoperative follow-up. We scheduled the first visit before discharge from hospital and followed up with a second visit after three months. During both visits, patients underwent transperineal 4D ultrasound examination. We provided examination while at rest and during contraction; volumes were saved for further evaluation. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (58.7%) completed both exams and were included in the analysis. Residual external anal sphincter defect was found in 17.3% at the first visit versus 13.6% at the second (delayed) visit. We were not able to assess the sphincter in 9.9% at early versus none in the delayed examination. In 9.9%, the residual defect was not confirmed by the second examination, and in 4.9% the residual defect was missed by the first examination. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we have found that a 3 month scan yields a smaller number of defects than a scan before discharge.

Impact of residual defect of anal sphincter on patients quality of life

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to correlate the presence of residual anal sphincter defect with the quality of life of patients after vaginal delivery complicated with obstetrical anal sphincter injury. STUDY GROUP AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with obstetrical anal sphincter injury are dispensed at our urogynecological unit, with a mean follow-up period of 37 months. Two investigators blinded to the results of clinical symptoms evaluated archived ultrasound volumes taken for the presence of residual anal sphincter defects that were later correlated with the St. Mark's Incontinence Score. RESULTS: The group comprises of 181 patients diagnosed with an obstetrical anal sphincter injury who underwent ultrasound examination of anal sphincter at three post-partum months. The questionnaires were completed by 118 patients (65.2% of all patients). A residual sphincter defect was diagnosed in seven cases (5.9%). In the group with residual defects, fecal urgency (lack of ability to defer defecation) was present in 57.1%. In the group without residual anal sphincter defects, fecal urgency was present in 12.6%. This difference is significant (< 0.001) with the contingency coefficient 0.291. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the presence of residual anal sphincter defect increases the probability of fecal urgency.

Laparoscopic removal of intravesically inserted transobturator tape.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this video is to provide a step-by-step description of our approach to the surgical management of intravesically localized transobturator tape after previous failure of repeated cystoscopic tape resection. METHODS: This video presents a patient with tape erosion to the urinary bladder after repeated cystoscopic tape resection, recurrent stone formation, and repeated lithotripsy, with recurrent urinary tract infections and overactive bladder (OAB) with urgency incontinence. RESULTS: During the laparoscopy procedure tape was identified in the left obturator muscle, cut near the obturator muscle, and dissected up to the bladder wall. Afterward, a vertical 2-cm incision was made in the bladder wall, the stone was removed, and the rest of the tape was dissected from the bladder wall. A two-layer suture of the bladder wall was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. In follow-up visits 3 and 6 months after surgery the patient was continent with no symptoms of OAB. CONCLUSIONS: Cystoscopic resection of protruded mesh is inadequate in many cases. In such cases the mesh should be removed from the urinary bladder wall completely. Laparoscopy allows minimally invasive complete removal of the tape, combining resection of the extravesical and intravesical parts of the tape.

Obstetric anal sphincter injury and anal incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to clarify the problems of OASI (obstetric anal sphincter injuries) and anal incontinence and prevention of this injury. METHODS: Review of articles in peer reviewed journals with the usage of Google Scholar function and PubMed. CONCLUSION: OASI is a severe injury which is more commonly associated with assisted vaginal delivery. This injury cannot be fully prevented, but its incidence can be averted by the usage of selective mediolateral episiotomy, or by other precautionary moves in high risk patients. The treatment of anal incontinence after OASI requires a complex approach and thorough examination. At first delivery, OASI is not a stern indication for caesarean section in accordance with current state of knowledge.

Is the fixation of single incision TVT-S tape as good as that of transobturator tape? An ultrasound study of randomized trial results.

INTRODUCTION: TVT-Secur (TVT-S) was the first single-incision sling available on the market and was soon found to have less efficacy than mid-urethral slings. Our aim was to assess the position and tape descent following TVT-O and TVT-S H in a U procedure and, based on this evaluation, to find the possible reason for lower TVT-S surgery efficacy. METHODS: We conducted an ultrasound study of a randomised trial with a 3-year follow-up that took place between 2007 and 2009 and included 197 women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence. Of these, 67 were allocated to receive the TVT-O procedure, 64 to TVT-S in the H position, and 65 in the U position. Patients underwent a complete urogynaecological and ultrasound examination. The positions of the bladder neck and the tape after surgery were assessed and the data obtained compared between groups. RESULTS: Our primary study showed a significantly higher rate of positive stress tests in the TVT-S groups compared to the TVT-O group. After surgery, there was no difference between the position of the tape at rest and at maximal Valsalva between the groups. In TVT-O patients, the mean length of the upper tape margin descent increased from 6 mm on the 1st day after surgery to 9 mm 3 months after surgery and remained stable afterwards. For TVT-S patients, there was a further increase of up to 15 mm in tape descent after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the lower efficacy of TVT-S might be due to inadequate fixation and increasing tape descent.

Colpocleisis with a skin flap.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common problem affecting up to 50% of women over the age of 50. The various methods of reconstructive pelvic organ prolapse surgery have been reported to be associated with long-term recurrence rates of up to 50%. METHODS: Management of patients with repeated failure of different surgical procedures is often challenging. Obliterative surgery can be an option for women with a POP-Q stage 2 or larger genital prolapse who are not sexually active. The video of the procedure shows how to address enterocele with frail and puffy vaginal epithelium of the posterior vaginal wall after unsuccessful surgery procedures by employing a perineal skin flap. The repeated enterocele was treated by using a skin flap during a LeFort colpocleisis, and Labhard perineoplasty was added. RESULTS: In some patients obliterative surgery may fail, especially those with recurrent POP. The use of a perineal skin flap in reoperation of POP is a possible solution for surgical treatment of recurrent enterocele with poor quality of the posterior vaginal wall. This patient's postoperative course was uneventful. At her follow-up visit 2 months later an examination revealed excellent healing. CONCLUSION: Obliterative surgery can be an option for women with large prolapses who are not sexually active and do not plan to be so in the future. Le Fort with perineal skin flap and Labhard high perineoplasty is one possible surgical technique which can treat recurrent pelvic organ prolapse in older patients where previous procedures have failed.

What is the optimal length for single-incision tape?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to assess the length of adjustable single-incision midurethral tape (SIMS; Ajust), which is needed to fix this tape to the obturator membrane. From these data, we can deduce the optimal length of the SIMS. METHODS: For this study, we employed the intra-operative data of patients included in a single-center randomized trial comparing the efficacy of Tension free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) and Ajust. The length of the Ajust tape was calculated using the formula: total length of the tape minus the length of the stylet used for the tape lock, minus the length of the lock minus the width of the two anchors. The length of the obturator tape was calculated using the formula: total tape length minus the snipped parts of the tape. The correlation coefficient of the tape length to basic biometric parameters, such as height, weight, and body mass index, was calculated. RESULTS: For this study, data from 50 women from each group, TVT-O and Ajust, were used. The mean length of the Ajust tape inside the body is 11.6 cm (SD 0.9), with a minimum length of 9.6 cm and a maximum length of 14.6 cm. The mean length of TVT-O tape inside the body is 20.3 cm (SD 2.1), with a minimum of 14.8 cm and a maximum length of 24.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that to achieve continence it is necessary to use different lengths of single-incision tape. Inappropriate SIMS length could cause failure related to the tape itself and not to the TVT technique.

Surgical management of recurrent urethrovaginal fistula with a skin island flap.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: A urethrovaginal fistula is a possible rare complication of tension-free vaginal tape procedures. Surgical management of these fistulas is sometimes complicated, and failure can occur. The operation is difficult when the defect between the urethra and the vagina is larger or scarred, so surgical intervention and the preferred technique are controversial. METHODS: The patient was referred to our department, where the first operation was performed to address the urethrovaginal fistula by the transvaginal and transabdominal approach with interposed omentum. This initial repair failed, resulting in a large urethrovaginal fistula with minimal redundant anterior vaginal wall to provide a tension-free closure. This video presentation describes the second operation-transvaginal repair of a large recurrent urethrovaginal fistula using the skin island flap technique. RESULTS: The video of the procedure shows how to address a recurrent urethrovaginal fistula by employing a skin flap. An examination during the patient's follow-up visit 3 months later revealed excellent healing and persistent stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Six months after the fistula repair, the patient underwent a bulking agent procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The skin island flap procedure allowed the larger defect to heal, though it did not address the SUI, which was later treated by application of a bulking agent.

Effect of severity of urinary incontinence on quality of life in women.

AIMS: While the effect of different types of incontinence on the quality of life (QoL) has been clearly documented, the information about the impact of incontinence severity on QoL in women is lacking. Therefore, we investigated whether increasingly severe degrees of incontinence were linearly correlated with poorer QoL. METHODS: We included 391 incontinent women and 81 continent volunteers in the study and assessed them in accordance with routine clinical practice. A 24 h pad-weight test was used to objectively quantify the incontinence severity. We then stratified participants according to incontinence type and severity and assessed correlations between incontinence severity and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC), International Consultation on Incontinence short-form questionnaire (ICIQ-SF), and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) quality of life scores in the entire study population and in individual groups according to incontinence type. RESULTS: Minimal incontinence was associated with significant negative impact on QoL, as measured by all quality of life assement tools. There were nonlinear correlations between scores on individual questionnaires and daily leakage volumes. Stress urinary incontinence had a weaker impact on quality of life than urge or mixed incontinence, as measured by PPBC (P < 0.0001), KHQ part 1 (P < 0.0001), and KHQ part 2 (P < 0.001). Stress urinary incontinence also had a weaker impact on QoL than mixed incontinence as measured by ICI-Q (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that even mild urinary leakage significantly reduces the QoL, while subsequent increase in the degree of incontinence has only minimal additional effect. There was no linear correlation between incontinence severity and QoL.

Is it possible to cure the symptoms of the overactive bladder in women?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of discontinuing treatment with mirabegron once symptoms have subsided in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: The present study evaluated a total of 159 female OAB patients (age 62.9 ± 12.36), each of which were prescribed 50 mg/day mirabegron (Time point 1-T1). Data obtained from voiding diaries and patient-reported outcome variables were assessed during follow-up visits at months 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 (T2), and 21 (T4). At the 18-month visit, patients with an Urgency Bother-Visual Analog Scale score of ≤ 50% were advised to stop treatment with mirabegron. Upon re-emergence or worsening of OAB symptoms, patients were allowed to start taking medication again at their discretion (T3). Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-square test. An ANOVA analysis and a two-sample t test were used to evaluate differences between groups. RESULTS: A total of 56 out of 159 (35.3%) patients took 50 mg of mirabegron daily between T1 and T2. A total of 17 out of 56 patients (30.4%) did not meet the criteria for mirabegron discontinuation (Group A). A total of 24 out of 56 patients (42.9%) stopped taking the medication temporarily, but later returned to treatment (Group B). The average time span between T2 and T3 was 53.9 days. Fifteen of 56 patients (26.8%) ceased treatment with mirabegron without starting it again before T4 (Group C). The average time span between T2 and T4, in Group C, was 124.7 days. CONCLUSION: A small percentage of OAB patients were able to discontinue mirabegron due to symptom cessation.

Are the same tapes really the same? Ultrasound study of laser-cut and mechanically cut TVT-O post-operative behavior.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: TVT-O production has been modified to laser cutting from mechanical cutting. We compared the behavior of laser and mechanically cut tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) using ultrasound at various time points after surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of clinical and ultrasound data from two previously reported randomized controlled trials with TVT-O. Behavior of mechanically cut TVT-O implanted in January 2007 to November 2009 and laser-cut TVT-O implanted in May 2010 to May 2012 was assessed by ultrasound at day 1, the 2nd week, the 3rd month, and the 1st and 2nd years post-operatively. Bladder neck and tape margins positions were described by coordinates in the orthogonal system calculated from polar coordinates. Tape mobility was measured as a change in the upper and lower tape margin position from rest to maximal Valsalva. Comparison of 2-year subjective and objective surgery outcomes was also performed. RESULTS: In total, 68 mechanically cut and 50 laser-cut TVT-Os were implanted. Follow-up data were available from 49 and 45 women respectively. No differences in any baseline characteristics or bladder neck mobility were observed. Significantly lower tape mobility was observed on day 1 and week 2 after mechanically cut TVT-O, although subsequent mobility was comparable to laser-cut TVT-O. The subjective and objective surgery outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Although without clinical significance, early postoperative behavior of the mechanically cut and laser-cut TVT-O tapes differs. The less stiff, mechanically-cut TVT-O loosens within 2 weeks of implantation, whereas the stiffer, laser-cut TVT-O keeps its tension.

Persistence in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) with mirabegron in a multicenter clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project was to evaluate treatment persistence in patients being treated for overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) with mirabegron, employing clinical follow-up in a prospective, multicenter study. STUDY DESIGN: This is an analysis of patients who started treatment with mirabegron between May and September 2014 and were evaluated 1year after treatment commenced. During this evaluation we determined how many patients stopped treatment and established their reasons for discontinuation. RESULTS: 206 patients being treated for OAB with mirabegron were evaluated a year after starting treatment. It emerged that 60 patients (29.1%) had discontinued the treatment, citing the following reasons: 24/60 insufficient treatment efficacy, 26/60 other reasons, while 10 members of the group discontinued treatment because of side effects. 75 out of 206 patients were ≤60 years old and 28% terminated the study prematurely: 131 out of 206 were >60years old and 29.2% terminated the study prematurely. In the group of patients without previous OAB treatment 35.7% discontinued treatment with mirabegron, while 28.1% of patients with previous anticholinergic treatment discontinued treatment. CONCLUSION: In our clinical prospective multicenter study, persistence in treatment with mirabegron reached a figure of 71%.

Comparison of the efficacy of tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) and single-incision tension-free vaginal tape (Ajust™) in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: a 1-year follow-up randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) and single-incision tension-free vaginal tape (Ajust™) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in a randomized two-arm study with a 1-year follow-up. METHODS: This single-centre randomized trial compared the objective and subjective cure rates of TVT-O and Ajust using objective criteria (cough test) and subjective criteria (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire short form, ICIQ-UI SF). The objective cure rate was defined as the number of patients with a negative cough stress test. Subjective cure was defined as no stress leakage of urine after surgery based on the ICIQ-UI SF. The primary outcome was to establish differences in objective and subjective cure rates between the TVT-O and Ajust groups. We also compared postoperative pain profiles using a visual analogue scale (VAS), improvement in quality of life using the ICIQ- UI SF and the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire, and overall satisfaction with the surgical procedure using a VAS and a five-item Likert scale. Inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, signed informed consent, and urodynamic stress urinary incontinence. Following a power calculation, 50 patients were enrolled into each group (Ajust and TVT-O). RESULTS: The mean follow-up after surgery was 445 days (SD 157.6 days) in the TVT-O group and 451.8 days (SD 127.6 days) in the Ajust group (p = 76.6 %). At 1 year, 47 patients were evaluated in the TVT-O group and 49 in the Ajust group. No differences in subjective cure rates or objective cure rates were observed. In the Ajust and TVT-O groups, the rates for no subjective stress leakage were 89.8 % and 91.5 %, respectively (p = 1.0, OR 1.22, 95 % CI 0.24 - 6.58), and the rates for a negative stress test were 89.8 % and 87.2 %, respectively (p = 0.76, OR 0.77, 95 % CI 0.17 - 3.32). In the Ajust group two patients reported de novo pain during sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: After a 1-year-follow-up, no significant differences were found with regard to subjective and objective outcomes between the single-incision tape Ajust and TVT-O.

TVT ABBREVO: cadaveric study of tape position in foramen obturatum and adductor region.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to describe fixation of the TVT ABBREVO and establish whether the tape penetrates through obturator muscles and membrane (obturator complex) into the adductor region and, if so, how far it penetrates. METHODS: Eight formalin-embalmed female cadavers were used to simulate TVT ABBREVO surgery (totalling 16 insertions). Following tape insertion, dissection was performed and ends of the tape were identified. In cases of penetration, the length of tape penetrating into the adductor region was measured. RESULTS: Of the 16 cases, the tape ended in the obturator membrane in eight, in the internal obturator muscle in one, and penetrated through the obturator membrane into the external obturator muscle in five, where it remained. In two cases, it penetrated through the obturator internus muscle, obturator membrane and obturator externus muscle into the group of thigh adductors; one penetration was by 3 mm and the second by 10 mm. No contact with the obturator nerve or its branches was noted in any case. CONCLUSIONS: No TVT contact with the obturator nerve was noted; tape penetrated into the adductor region in two of the 16 cases.

Impact of body mass index on treatment efficacy of mirabegron for overactive bladder in females.

OBJECTIVE: Conclusive data comparing treatment efficacy of OAB pharmacotherapy in normal weight versus obese patients are not available. Obesity represents a risk factor for OAB/LUTS. We hypothesized that the effect of treatment with mirabegron might be diminished in obese patients. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred sixty nine women were prescribed mirabegron, 50mg/day. Subjective and objective parameters were compared prior to and following three months of treatment. The study population was stratified into three groups according to a patients' BMI (A-normal weight, B-overweight, C-obese). We compared the change in parameters before and after treatment within each group. Subsequently the differences between groups were correlated. The same analysis was performed separately in patients who failed anticholinergic therapy (n=85). A paired t-test was used to compare the parameters before and after the procedure within groups, and a two-sample t-test was applied to conduct a comparison between groups. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Significant improvement (p<0.001) within all groups was observed in all parameters, with an exception in the number of severe urgency episodes per 24h (p=0.291) in Group B. We did not observe any statistically significant difference between groups A, B and C. The same trend has been observed in subgroup of patients, who did not respond previous antimuscarinic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence in support of previously documented data indicating good efficacy of mirabegron in the treatment of OAB. The data obtained do not confirm our hypothesis that the body weight influences the treatment outcome of mirabegron.

Treatment of stress urinary incontinence using polyacrylamide hydrogel in women after radiotherapy: 1-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Information on urethral bulking therapy in women after previous pelvic radiotherapy is lacking. This study compared the safety and efficacy of polyacrylamide intraurethral injections in patients with and without previous radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 46 patients with severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were enrolled in this multicenter prospective trial. Group A consisted of 24 patients with previous radiotherapy to the pelvis for the treatment of a gynaecological malignancy. Group B consisted of 22 patients without previous radiotherapy. All patients were treated with a transurethral injection of a bulking solution (Bulkamid). The average follow-up was 12.4 months. The paired Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results before and after the procedure within the groups, and the two-sample Wilcoxon test was used for comparisons between groups. RESULTS: Complete continence was achieved in 25 % of patients in group A and in 36.4 % of patients in group B. Significantly reduced urine leakage was observed in both groups (p = 0.0164 in group A and p = 0.0002 in group B). The total scores in the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire decreased by 5.2 in group A (p = 0.0000) and 6.36 in group B (p = 0.0001). The scores for the Total Patient Perception of Bladder Condition decreased by 1.54 in group A (p = 0.0001) and 2.59 in group B (p = 0.0000), with a significant difference between groups (p = 0.0224). No clinically significant changes in urodynamic parameters were observed. No severe adverse events were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we conclude that urethral bulking therapy is a valuable treatment option in patients with severe SUI who have undergone pelvic radiotherapy for the treatment of gynaecological malignancy.

Bleeding complication with the TVT-Exact procedure: a report of two cases.

Midurethral tension-free vaginal tapes (TVT), placed through the retropubic space or through the obturator foramina, are widely used for the surgical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Some complications are associated with retropubic tapes owing to the passage of the tape through the space of Retzius. One of the most frequent complications is bleeding, and if injury to major vessels is involved, this may be life-threatening. In 2010, the Gynecare TVT-Exact® Continence System was introduced onto the market, with a rigid trocar shaft measuring 3.0 mm in diameter. We have no clinical data regarding the complication rate, especially concerning bleeding, connected with this device; all data are related to the original size of the TVT inserter. The cases presented demonstrate that bleeding complications can occur with the TVT-Exact procedure.

Transurethral injection of polyacrylamide hydrogel (Bulkamid(®)) for the treatment of female stress or mixed urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cure effect of a transurethral injection (TUI) of Bulkamid(®) for female urodynamic stress (USI) and stress-predominant mixed urinary incontinence. The hypothesis was that the cure effect of Bulkamid(®) is positive in patients who have undergone previous unsuccessful anti-incontinence surgery and in patients with ISD (Intrinsic Sphincter Deficiency). STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective clinical study was performed on 52 patients for whom previous anti-incontinence surgery had failed (n=40) and on patients with ISD. Five patients had a reinjection of Bulkamid(®). The efficacy of TUI was evaluated an average of 22 months (minimum - 6 months, maximum - 50 months) after the procedure. Subjective assessment of the leakage of urine was based on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). Objective assessment of leakage of urine was assessed by the cough test. The cure effect of procedures was evaluated by VAS (Visual Analog Scale: VAS score 0-100; 100 - without leakage of urine, dry) and by using the five-point Likert scale. The statistics were calculated using the software STATISTICA 10-StatSoft. Inc software (Tulsa, USA). RESULTS: A retrospective study was performed on 52 women with urinary incontinence (stress 43, mixed 9), and 51 patients completed the study. One patient with SUI died during the study. Their mean age was 70 years, mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.65, and mean parity was 1.76. Objective assessment by cough test showed that 19.6% of patients had negative results for this test 22 months after the operation. Subjective assessment by the ICIQ-UI SF questionnaire showed that 15.7% of patients were completely dry, while 45.1% of patients were dry or improved. The mean VAS score was 51.3, and on the Likert scale the cure effect was evaluated as 5 or 4 ("cured" or "improved") in 54.9% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The hypothesis that the cure effect of Bulkamid(®) is positive in patients who have undergone previous unsuccessful anti-incontinence surgery, and in patients with ISD, was confirmed. The procedure is an option for failed anti-incontinence surgery or for patients with ISD.

Actinomyces infection appearing five years after trocar-guided transvaginal mesh prolapse repair.

Bacterial colonization and chronic infection following mesh-augmented pelvic floor reconstructive surgery may be one reason for abnormal healing and the occurrence of complications such as a mesh erosion, pain, and shrinkage. This case presents a patient with Actinomyces infection that appeared 5 years after trocar-guided transvaginal mesh repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). In patients with recurrent symptomatic mesh exposure, if partial removal or conservative treatment is unsuccessful, the possibility of Actinomyces infection should be considered.