Antibiotic prophylaxis for urinary tract infection after midurethral sling: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Because of the reported high percentage of bladder infections after placement of a midurethral sling (8.9%-34%), this study was undertaken to determine if a 3-day postoperative course of a urinary antibiotic would significantly lower the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among treated women. METHODS: Women who were planning outpatient vaginal surgery for stress incontinence were enrolled, after informed consent, and randomized to receive placebo or nitrofurantoin (100 mg 2 times a day) for 3 days after surgery. Research subjects and investigators were blinded to the randomization. Women were observed for signs and symptoms of UTI until 6 weeks after surgery. Sample size was calculated to have 80% power to detect a 15% difference in the primary outcome (α = 0.05). The primary outcome was analyzed using a χ analysis. RESULTS: Data were analyzed from 149 subjects (placebo, n = 75; drug, n = 74). Overall, 37 women (24.8%) were diagnosed with a UTI during the study period. The incidence of postoperative UTI was significantly lower in the treatment arm (17.6%) then in the placebo arm (32%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: A short (3-day) course of nitrofurantoin after outpatient sling surgery significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative bladder infection in the first 6 weeks after sling surgery.

Recognition and management of nerve entrapment pain after uterosacral ligament suspension.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence, risk factors, and characteristics of neuropathic pain related to nerve entrapment after uterosacral ligament suspension. METHOD: A review of patients who underwent uterosacral ligament suspension from January 2007 to August 2011 was performed. Patients with neuropathic pain attributable to nerve entrapment from uterosacral ligament suspensory suture placement were identified. Factors including surgeon's dominant hand, side of pain, onset of pain, day of suture removal, number of sutures placed and removed, patient age, and body mass index (BMI) were collected. Follow-up of patients with neuropathic pain was performed at postoperative visits and by telephone contact. RESULT: Eight (1.6%) of 515 patients had neuropathic pain requiring suture removal from the affected side. The postoperative pain was recognized after discontinuation of intravenous narcotics on postoperative day 1. Patients reported their pain improved after removal of all sutures on the affected side. Patients with neuropathic pain did not differ from those without in regard to age, BMI, and preoperative prolapse stage, or in the number of sutures placed. None of the eight had recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (POP), with a median follow-up of 5 months. CONCLUSION: Eight patients (1.6%) had postoperative neuropathic pain that resolved after all sutures were removed on the affected side. The removal of sutures was not associated with recurrent POP in the short-term. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Nausea and vomiting after placement of tension-free vaginal tape sling.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgical procedures such as tension-free vaginal tape sling should not imply that a minimal preoperative evaluation is all that is required. CASE: A 52-year-old multiparous perimenopausal woman presented with postoperative nausea, vomiting, and vague abdominal-pelvic discomfort after placement of tension-free vaginal tape. The final diagnosis was invasive molar pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This case raises the awareness of the rare diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease in perimenopausal women and emphasizes the importance of a complete preoperative evaluation in those scheduled to undergo minimally invasive procedures.