Impact of pre-pregnancy obesity on cesarean delivery rates in nulliparous pregnant people undergoing induction of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of pre-pregnancy obesity on the cesarean delivery rate in nulliparous pregnant people undergoing induction of labor. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of nulliparous pregnant people with a normal weight and obesity who underwent induction of labor between 37 and 41 weeks gestation at a single institution from 2012 to 2018. Weight category was based on pre-pregnancy body mass index. The primary outcome was rate of cesarean delivery. Additional demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. A chi square test was used to compare the cesarean delivery rates. Multivariate logistic regression was used to generate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) controlling for potential cofounders. RESULTS: Of the 557 pregnancies identified, 88/285 (31%) of pregnant people with a normal weight had a cesarean delivery while 165/263 (63%) of pregnant people with obesity had a cesarean delivery (cOR 3.8, 95% CI 2.6-5.4). After adjustment, pregnant people with obesity remained more likely to have a cesarean delivery compared to pregnant people with a normal weight (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8-4.0). Further, cesarean delivery was more likely in those with an unfavorable modified Bishop score (aOR 3.4, 95% CI 1.8-6.5) and gestational weight gain above the Institute of Medicine recommendation (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.8-3.9). The rate of cesarean delivery was not different by class of obesity (p = .32). CONCLUSION: Pre-pregnancy obesity is associated with higher cesarean delivery rates in nulliparous pregnant people undergoing induction of labor compared with normal pre-pregnancy body mass index. Gestational weight gain above the Institute of Medicine recommendations and having an unfavorable modified Bishop score at the time of induction are associated with increased cesarean delivery rates.

Standing Vs Supine; Does it Matter in Cough Stress Testing?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of cough stress test in the standing versus supine position in the evaluation of incontinent females. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of women with the chief complaint of urinary incontinence (UI) undergoing a provocative cough stress test (CST). Subjects underwent both a standing and a supine CST. Testing order was randomized via block randomization. Cough stress test was performed in a standard method via backfill of 200 mL or until the subject described strong urge. The subjects were asked to cough, and the physician documented urine leakage by direct observation. The gold standard for stress UI diagnosis was a positive CST in either position. RESULTS: Sixty subjects were enrolled, 38 (63%) tested positive on any CST, with 38 (63%) positive on standing compared with 29 (28%) positive on supine testing. Nine women (15%) had positive standing and negative supine testing. No subjects had negative standing with positive supine testing. There were no significant differences in positive tests between the 2 randomized groups (standing first and supine second vs. supine first and standing second). When compared with the gold standard of any positive provocative stress test, the supine CST has a sensitivity of 76%, whereas the standing CST has a sensitivity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The standing CST is more sensitive than the supine CST and should be performed in any patient with a complaint of UI and negative supine CST. The order of testing either supine or standing first does not affect the results.

Polyethylene Glycol 3350 and Docusate Sodium Compared With Docusate Sodium Alone After Urogynecologic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare time to first bowel movement and additional gastrointestinal outcomes between women receiving polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG3350) and docusate sodium and docusate sodium alone after urogynecologic surgery. METHODS: Participants received twice-daily 100 mg docusate sodium and were randomized to daily 1) PEG3350 or 2) inert placebo for 5 days after urogynecologic surgery. They completed bowel diaries, Bristol stool scale, validated Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptom Questionnaire, and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality-of-Life Questionnaire preoperatively and 1 week after surgery. Our primary outcome was time to first bowel movement after surgery. To detect a 1-day difference in time to first bowel movement (4 compared with 3 days), 63 participants were needed in each group. RESULTS: From September 2012 through March 2015, 145 women were randomized and 131 (90%) analyzed: 66 received PEG3350, and 65 received placebo. Polyethylene glycol 3350 did not significantly reduce time to first bowel movement after surgery compared with placebo (2.77 days [interquartile range 1.86-3.40] compared with 2.92 days [interquartile range 1.85-4.02] P=.25). Women in the PEG3350 group were less likely to take additional laxatives postoperatively, and the PEG3350 group was more adherent to the study drug regimen. Questionnaire scores, fecal incontinence, and urgency were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: In women taking routine docusate sodium after urogynecologic surgery, adding PEG3350 postoperatively did not reduce time to first bowel movement. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01691742.

Construct and Predictive Validity of a Cystoscopic Checklist to Evaluate Surgical Competency in the Operating Room.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the construct and predictive validity of a task-specific checklist for cystoscopy in the operating room. METHODS: This study is a prospective observational study evaluating the validity of a task-specific checklist for cystoscopic proficiency on residents performing cystoscopy in the operating room over a 4-year period. Residents were scored on 2 task-specific checklists: (1) assembly and (2) performance of a diagnostic cystoscopy. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing absolute checklist scores based on resident year with a Kruskal-Wallis and χ test, respectively. Paired analysis was performed with Wilcoxon sign rank and McNemar tests to assess differences between initial and final observations. Predictive validity was evaluated by determining the percent of competently performed task-specific checklists subsequent to 1 competent task-specific checklist completion. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three evaluations were performed on 30 residents from all 4 levels of training. The median task-specific checklist scores for both (1) assembly and (2) performance of a diagnostic cystoscopy demonstrated construct validity with statistically significant trends demonstrating improved scores as resident year increased from intern to chief, P values of <0.001 and <0.0001, respectively. Once competency was obtained for 1 cystoscope assembly checklist, 92% of future assembly checklists were competently competent. For diagnostic cystoscopy once checklist competency was obtained, 69% of future checklists were completed competently. All scores and competencies were significantly improved from the initial to the final observation. DISCUSSION: The task-specific checklists for (1) assembly and (2) performance of a diagnostic cystoscopy demonstrated construct validity. Predicative validity for assembly of a cystoscope is high but less so for performance of a diagnostic cystoscope.

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation for the treatment of fecal incontinence: a systematic evidence review.

IMPORTANCE AND OBJECTIVES: Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a potential emerging therapy for fecal incontinence (FI). The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding the efficacy of PTNS as a treatment of FI. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from inception through November 2013. We included English-language full-text articles reporting outcomes for FI with either percutaneous PTNS or transcutaneous techniques (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). We used the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to assess study quality. RESULTS: Our search yielded 1154 citations; 129 abstracts and 17 articles were included for full-text review. There were 13 case series and 4 randomized controlled trials. Fifteen studies were of low quality, none were of fair quality, and 2 studies were of good quality based on the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. In total, 745 subjects were studied, and of those, 90% were women and 10% were men. Studies involved percutaneous PTNS in 57% (428/745) of the subjects, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in 30% (223/745), and sham technique in 13% (94/745). Therapy frequency, maintenance therapy, and follow-up time varied across studies. Eleven studies assessed FI episodes and bowel movement deferment time; all but 1 showed statistical improvement after therapy. Ten of the 11 studies that used the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence score reported statistically significantly improved scores after treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Multiple low-quality studies show improvement in FI after PTNS. High-quality studies with comparison groups and clinically meaningful outcome measures would further establish the utility of PTNS for FI.

Sexual activity and vaginal topography in women with symptomatic pelvic floor disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic floor disorders affect vaginal anatomy and may affect sexual function. AIMS: The aims of this study were to explore the relationship between vaginal anatomy and sexual activity in women with symptomatic pelvic floor disorders and to assess whether vaginal measurements (topography) correlate with sexual function. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing sexually active and nonsexually active women planning urogynecologic surgery. Our primary outcome was the difference in vaginal topography based on Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) exam between cohorts. Correlations between POP-Q measurements and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12) scores were assessed in sexually active women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The POP-Q is a quantitative and standardized examination for prolapse. The PISQ-12 is a condition-specific sexual function questionnaire validated in sexually active women with pelvic floor disorders. RESULTS: Of 535 women, 208 (39%) were sexually active and 327 (61%) were not. Median genital hiatus (GH) and perineal body (PB) measurements and a PB:GH ratio were not significantly different between the two cohorts. Total vaginal length (TVL) was longer in sexually active women (median 9 vs. 8 cm, P<0.001). In a linear regression analysis controlling for potential confounders, sexually active women still had a longer TVL by 0.4 cm (95% confidence interval 0.07, 0.6 cm) compared with those who were not sexually active. Of the 327 nonsexually active women, 28% indicated they avoided sexual activity because of pelvic floor symptoms. There was poor correlation between TVL, GH, PB, and PB : GH ratio with PISQ-12 scores (r=0.10, -0.05, -0.09, -0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In women with pelvic floor disorders, sexual activity is associated with a longer vaginal length. One-quarter of women indicated they avoided sexual activity because of pelvic floor symptoms. Vaginal topography does not correlate with sexual function based on PISQ-12 scores.

How does site of pelvic organ prolapse repair affect overactive bladder symptoms?

OBJECTIVES: To assess how site of pelvic organ prolapse repair affects overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, we compared change in OAB symptoms in women undergoing isolated anterior/apical (AA) repair versus isolated posterior (P) repair. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of women with bothersome OAB undergoing either AA or P prolapse repair. The subjects completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory short form and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q) validated questionnaires preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. Our primary outcome was OAB-q symptom severity (SS) change score (preoperative minus postoperative score) compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Of 175 subjects, 133 (76%) underwent AA repair and 42 (24%) underwent P repair. Baseline OAB-q SS scores and baseline characteristics were similar except that the AA group had more severe baseline prolapse (median pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage 3 for AA [interquartile range, 2-3] vs stage 2 for P [interquartile range, 1-3]; P<0.01] and a higher rate of concomitant midurethral sling (57% in AA vs 31% in P; P<0.01). Overall OAB symptoms significantly improved within 6 weeks of surgery (P<0.01). The mean ± SD OAB-q SS change score was higher in the AA repair group (26 ± 24 in AA vs 13 ± 28 in P; P=0.01), indicating greater improvement in OAB symptom severity after AA repair. In linear regression adjusting for age, body mass index, diabetes, stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage, anticholinergic use, and midurethral sling, this difference did not remain significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patients have significant improvement in OAB symptoms after POP repair. In adjusted analyses, there was no difference in improvement in OAB-q SS scores in the patients who had AA versus P repair.

Does concomitant anterior/apical repair during midurethral sling improve the overactive bladder component of mixed incontinence?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Midurethral sling (MUS) can improve overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. It is unclear if anterior/apical prolapse (AA) repair provides additional benefit. We hypothesized that women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) experience greater improvement in the OAB component of their symptoms after concomitant MUS and AA repair compared with MUS alone. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of women with bothersome MUI (defined by objective stress test and validated questionnaire) undergoing MUS alone ("MUS-only") or concomitant MUS and AA repair ("MUS + AA"). Our primary outcome was the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Symptom Severity (OAB-q SS) change score 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Of 151 women, 67 (44 %) underwent MUS-only and 84 (56 %) underwent MUS + AA. The MUS-only cohort was younger and had less severe baseline prolapse (p < 0.05 for both). Postoperative complications (predominantly UTI) occurred in 35 (23 %) patients and were similar between cohorts. For all subjects mean OAB-q SS scores significantly improved postoperatively (p < 0.05). Our primary outcome, OAB-q SS change score, showed no significant differences between cohorts (30 ± 26 MUS-only vs 25 ± 25 MUS + AA, p = 0.20), indicating similar improvements in OAB symptoms. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed no difference in OAB-q SS change score between cohorts; however, OAB-q SS change scores were lower for women with a postoperative complication (ß = -19, 95 % CI -31 to -6; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In women with bothersome MUI, concomitant AA repair does not result in additional improvement in OAB symptoms over MUS alone. Patients with postoperative complications exhibit less improvement in OAB symptoms.

Is postoperative bowel function related to posterior compartment prolapse repair?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess how posterior repair (PR) affects change in bowel function in women undergoing anterior/apical surgery for prolapse. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing prolapse surgery. Our 2 cohorts were women who underwent anterior/apical prolapse surgery either with or without a PR. All women completed the short form of the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI-8) preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. We compared change in CRADI-8 scores between those who received PR versus those who did not. RESULTS: Among 238 women who underwent anterior/apical prolapse surgery, 61 (26%) underwent PR, whereas 177 (74%) did not undergo PR. There were no significant differences in mean CRADI-8 scores at baseline or postoperatively, and scores improved significantly in both groups [baseline scores 23.2 (20.2) for PR vs 18.2 (19.3) for no PR, P = 0.12; postoperative scores 5.0 (10.5) for PR vs 8.4 (15.4) for no PR, P = 0.08]. For our primary outcome, we identified a significantly larger margin of symptom improvement in those who underwent PR compared to those who did not [mean CRADI-8 change scores 18.2 (20.1) for PR vs 9.9 (18.6) for no PR, P < 0.01]. In a linear regression model assessing postoperative CRADI-8 scores, women who underwent PR scored 4.9 points lower on the postoperative CRADI-8, suggesting more improvement in bowel-related symptoms, compared to those who did not undergo PR (95% confidence interval, 1.0, 8.8, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Women undergoing surgery for anterior/apical prolapse demonstrated significant improvements in bowel symptoms after surgery. Those receiving concomitant PR had a significantly greater margin of improvement.

Clinical challenges in the management of vaginal prolapse.

Pelvic organ prolapse is highly prevalent, and negatively affects a woman's quality of life. Women with bothersome prolapse may be offered pessary management or may choose to undergo corrective surgery. In choosing the most appropriate surgical procedure, there are many factors to consider. These may include the location(s) of anatomic defects, the severity of prolapse symptoms, the activity level of the woman, and concerns regarding the durability of the repair. In many instances, women and their surgeons are challenged to weigh the risks and benefits of native tissue versus mesh-augmented repairs. Though mesh-augmented repairs may offer better durability, they are also associated with unique complications, such as mesh erosion. Furthermore, newer surgical techniques of mesh placement via abdominal or vaginal routes may result in different outcomes compared to traditional techniques. Biologic grafts may also be considered to improve durability of a surgical repair, while avoiding potential complications of synthetic mesh. In this article, we review many of the clinical challenges that gynecologic surgeons face in the surgical management of vaginal prolapse. Furthermore, we review data that can help guide decision making when treating women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Oral antibiotics to prevent postoperative urinary tract infection: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether nitrofurantoin prophylaxis prevents postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients receiving transurethral catheterization after pelvic reconstructive surgery. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery were randomized to 100 mg nitrofurantoin or placebo once daily during catheterization if they were: 1) discharged with a transurethral Foley or performing intermittent self-catheterization; or 2) hospitalized overnight with a transurethral Foley. Our primary outcome was treatment for clinically suspected or culture-proven UTI within 3 weeks of surgery. Statistical analysis was performed by χ2 and logistic regression. Assuming 80% power at a P value of .05, 156 participants were needed to demonstrate a two-thirds reduction in UTI. RESULTS: Of 159 participants, 81 (51%) received nitrofurantoin and 78 (49%) received placebo. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics, intraoperative characteristics, duration and type of catheterization, or postoperative hospitalization, except a lower rate of hysterectomy in the nitrofurantoin group. Nitrofurantoin prophylaxis did not reduce the risk of UTI treatment within 3 weeks of surgery (22% UTI with nitrofurantoin compared with 13% UTI with placebo, relative risk 1.73, 95% confidence interval 0.85-3.52, P=.12). Urinary tract infection treatment was higher in premenopausal women, lower in diabetics, and increased with longer duration of catheterization. In logistic regression adjusting for menopause, diabetes, preoperative postvoid residual volume, creatinine clearance, hysterectomy, and duration of catheterization, there was still no difference in UTI with nitrofurantoin as compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis with daily nitrofurantoin during catheterization does not reduce the risk of postoperative UTI in patients receiving short-term transurethral catheterization after pelvic reconstructive surgery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01450800. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Vaginal prolapse recurrence after uterosacral ligament suspension in normal-weight compared with overweight and obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare recurrent prolapse after vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension in normal-weight compared with overweight or obese women. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of the risk of recurrent prolapse after uterosacral ligament suspension in normal-weight compared with overweight or obese women at our institution from December 1, 1996, through June 30, 2011. Women with fewer than 6 months of follow-up and those with a prior vault suspension were excluded. Our primary outcome was a composite measure defined as anterior, posterior, or apical prolapse recurrence extending beyond the hymen or repeat treatment for prolapse with surgery or a pessary in women undergoing uterosacral ligament suspension and other vaginal repairs. RESULTS: We included 219 participants (81 [37%] normal-weight and 138 [63%] overweight or obese women). There was no difference in median follow-up (14 months; interquartile range 8.5-26.5 months] in the normal-weight compared with 13 months [interquartile range 9.0-29.0 months] in the overweight or obese women, P=.98). Prolapse recurred in 22.2% (n=18) of the normal-weight group and 26.1% (n=36) of the overweight or obese group (P=.52). Surgery for recurrent prolapse was performed in 16.0% (n=13) of the normal-weight women and in 14.5% (n=20) of the overweight or obese women (P=.76). The most common site of recurrence was the anterior compartment (17.4% [n=38]) compared with the apical compartment (8.7% [n=19]) or posterior compartment (6.8% [n=15]) with no significant difference between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: After uterosacral ligament suspension, overweight or obese women have similar prolapse recurrence compared with normal-weight women. Anterior prolapse is the most common site of recurrence after uterosacral ligament suspension.

Comparing the risk of urethrolysis for the treatment of voiding dysfunction between two retropubic mesh slings: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Long-term outcome data exist with Gynecare TVT tension-free support for incontinence (TVT), yet few comparisons have been made to newer retropubic sling delivery systems, especially with regards to urethrolysis for postoperative voiding dysfunction. Our objective was to compare the odds of urethrolysis for the treatment of voiding dysfunction between two retropubic sling systems. METHODS: We performed a case-control study comparing the risk of urethrolysis between TVT versus the Bard ALIGN Urethral Support System (Bard Align). We identified surgical procedures described as urethrolysis, sling revision, loosening, or lysis performed for the treatment of voiding dysfunction by urogynecologists at Duke University between January 2007 and June 2011. Slings placed at outside institutions were excluded. Controls were matched for both concomitant prolapse procedures and academic year. RESULTS: Of 818 total slings placed during the study period, there were 28 (3.4 %) urethrolysis cases, which were matched to 84 controls. Among urethrolysis cases, 6/28 (21.4 %) had received TVT, while 22/28 (78.6 %) had received Bard Align slings. Of the 84 matched controls, 30/84 (35.7 %) had undergone TVT and 54/84 (64.3 %) had undergone Bard Align. There was no significant difference in the odds of urethrolysis following the use of TVT or Bard Align [odds ratio (OR) 2.00, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.74-5.50]. In a conditional logistic regression model, which adjusted for age, body mass index, prior anti-incontinence or prolapse surgery, and postvoid residual, there remained no significant difference in odds of urethrolysis between the two sling types (OR 1.50, 95 % CI 0.42-5.33). CONCLUSIONS: Despite different instrument designs, there was no significant difference in the risk of urethrolysis following TVT or Bard Align retropubic sling.

Trends in use of surgical mesh for pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data exist on the rates of pelvic organ prolapse procedures utilizing mesh. The objective of this study was to examine trends in vaginal mesh prolapse procedures (VMs), abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC), and minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISC) from 2005 to 2010. STUDY DESIGN: We utilized deidentified, adjudicated health care claims data from across the United States from 2005 to 2010. Among women 18 years old or older, we identified all mesh prolapse procedures based on current procedural terminology codes (57267 for VM, 57280 for ASC, and 57425 for MISC). VM procedures included all vaginal prolapse surgeries in which mesh was placed, whether in the anterior, apical, or posterior compartment. We estimated rates per 100,000 person-years (100,000 py) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: During 78.5 million person-years of observation, we identified 60,152 mesh prolapse procedures, for a rate of 76.0 per 100,000 py (95% CI, 73.6-78.5). Overall, VMs comprised 74.9% of these surgeries for an overall rate of 56.9 per 100,000 py (95% CI, 55.0-58.9). Rates of ASC and MISC were considerably lower at 12.0 per 100,000 py (95% CI, 11.6-12.5) and 9.5 per 100,000 py (95% CI, 9.2-9.9), respectively. Among sacrocolpopexies, ASC was more common than MISC in 2005-2007; however, since 2007, the rate of MISC has increased, whereas the rate of ASC has decreased. Regarding trends by age, VM was considerably more common than sacrocolpopexies at all ages, and ASC was more common than MISC in women older than 50 years. CONCLUSION: From 2005 to 2010, the rate of mesh prolapse procedures has increased, with vaginal mesh surgeries constituting the vast majority.