Detrusor nerve radiofrequency ablation (DENERA): Experimental study of safety and efficacy in an ovine model.

PURPOSE: The subtrigonal perivesical nerve plexus contains a large proportion of the bladder's innervation. A transurethral radiofrequency ablation approach has successfully denervated this region to alleviate overactive bladder symptoms, with some urothelial heat injury. We report a novel transvaginal RFA device (DENERA) and assess its feasibility and efficacy in denervating the perivesical nerve plexus of in vivo sheep. METHODS: In 14 adult female in vivo sheep, pulsed radiofrequency energy was applied transvaginally for three cycles of 4 min, maintaining the tissue temperature at 45°C, with 30 s of rest between each cycle. The control group (n = 4) was sacrificed without ablation, and various groups were sacrificed 1 week (n = 3), 4 weeks (n = 4), and 12 weeks (n = 3) after ablation. The bladder subtrigones were harvested then analyzed with H&E, S100, and TH immunostaining to quantify their neural density and neural vacuolization. RESULTS: The ablation procedure increased the neural vacuolization the most at 1 week and decreased the neural density the most at 4 weeks, with both variables displaying a significant change followed by a slight rebound towards baseline at 12 weeks. The H&E analysis showed that the needles penetrated deep into the subtrigonal detrusor muscle. The sheep recovered from the procedure with no complications or damage in the bladder wall or urothelium. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that one DENERA treatment can cause subtrigonal denervation with some rebound afterwards and no complications. DENERA may become a promising OAB treatment option that can ablate the perivesical plexus without harming the urothelium.

A robotic approach to clamshell augmentation enterocystoplasty.

Augmentation cystoplasty (AC) is a well-established surgical option for the management of overactive bladder where conservative management has failed. We describe the case of a man in his 50s with chronic bladder dysfunction secondary to refractory detrusor overactivity and small capacity bladder. His lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of urinary frequency and nocturia persisted despite pharmacological therapy and peripheral neural modulation; hence, he underwent surgical intervention for management of his bladder dysfunction. A robot-assisted clamshell enterocystoplasty was performed with a successful outcome. His LUTS have improved significantly post surgery. This case highlights modern advances in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques in the management of functional urological conditions. It also further demonstrates that the robotic approach is a viable option for AC, an operation traditionally performed as open surgery.

Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Pelvic Floor Disorders in Female Patients with Severe Obesity: a Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with pelvic floor disorders (PFD). Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most effective weight loss methods. Although SG has been found to improve urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB), its impact on fecal incontinence (FI) remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized study involved 60 female patients with severe obesity who were randomly assigned to two groups: the SG group and the diet group. The SG group underwent SG, while the diet group received a low-calorie, low-lipid diet for 6 months. The patients' condition was assessed before and after the study using three questionnaires: the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS), the Overactive Bladder 8-Question Awareness Tool (OAB-V8), and the Wexner Score (CCIS). RESULTS: After 6 months, the SG group had a significantly higher percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) compared to the diet group (p<0.01). Both groups showed a decrease in the ICIQ-FLUTS, OAB-V8, and CCIS scores (p<0.05). UI, OAB, and FI improved significantly in the SG group (p<0.05), but no improvement was observed in the diet group (p>0.05). The correlation between %TWL and PFD was statistically significant but weak, with the strongest correlation between %TWL and ICIQ-FLUTS score and the weakest correlation between %TWL and CCIS score (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend bariatric surgery for the treatment of PFD. However, given the weak correlation between %TWL and PFD after SG, further research should explore factors other than %TWL that are effective in recovery, particularly in relation to FI.

Digital health information on surgical treatment options for overactive bladder is underrepresented.

PURPOSE: Digital health information gains growing importance in the medical landscape. Despite its opportunities, there is a risk of patient misinformation which may adversely influence the patient-physician relationship. This investigation aimed to identify and compare differences in the content and quality of online health information on overactive bladder (OAB) between different digital platforms. METHODS: The platforms Google search, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube were searched for the keyword OAB. The search result links were classified as useful or misleading, advertisement and personal experience. Information regarding the organization of the source and available content on treatment modalities was collected. Descriptive analysis was applied. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate heterogeneity regarding the distribution of information depending on the source. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The source with the highest quantity of useful content was YouTube (100%) and Google (100%), whereas LinkedIn included mostly misleading content (73%). YouTube and Google provided the greatest variety of health information and were dominated by professional associations. Surgical procedures for treating OAB were only described in 32% and 48% of Google and YouTube results, respectively. On Google, sacral neuromodulation and OnabotulinumtoxinA were described in 26% and bladder augmentation in only 16% of the search results. In contrast, alternative medicine was present in 76%. CONCLUSIONS: A large gap in the information on surgical treatments of OAB could be identified independently from the utilized source. In contrast, conservative treatments and alternative medicine dominate the current informational sources.

Risk of overactive bladder after hysterectomy for uterine fibroids.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We evaluated the association between previous hysterectomy for uterine fibroids and the risk of developing overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: We used national health insurance data. The hysterectomy group (aged 40 to 59) comprised patients who underwent hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma or adenomyosis between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014, and the control group (aged 40 to 59) comprised patients who visited a medical facility for a checkup during the same time period. Propensity score matching (PSM, 1:1) was performed to balance confounders. OAB events were defined by drug prescriptions (beta 3 agonist or anticholinergics) for more than 1 month based on previous studies. RESULTS: After matching, 58,195 cases (hysterectomy group) and 58,195 controls (nonhysterectomy group) were enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 7.9 years in the nonhysterectomy group and 8.0 years in the hysterectomy group. There was no significant difference in the rate of OAB development between the groups (0.3% vs 0.3%; p=0.061). Additionally, compared with the nonhysterectomy group (hazard ratio: 1 (reference)), hysterectomy without adnexal surgery (hazard ratio: 1.169 [0.915-1.493]) and hysterectomy with adnexal surgery (hazard ratio: 1.342 [0.83-2.171]) did not significantly increase the risk of OAB after adjusting for confounders; this relationship remained nonsignificant after stratifying patients according to age group. CONCLUSIONS: Previous hysterectomy with or without adnexal surgery for the treatment of uterine fibroids did not increase the risk of developing OAB, defined as drug therapy lasting more than 1 month.

Impact of Weight Gain on Surgical Outcomes and Quality of Life among Women after Sling Surgeries.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of body weight gain after sling surgeries on outcomes in women with stress urinary incontinence. DESIGN: A single-center, retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. PATIENTS: A total of 248 women who underwent sling surgeries from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed. Patients who gained more than 10% body weight were compared with those with stable body weight. INTERVENTIONS: Midurethral sling surgery with single-incision, transobturator, or retropubic slings. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Objective success was defined as no urine leakage during the stress test in the filling phase of urodynamic studies. De novo overactive bladder (OAB) was defined as the appearance of urgency, frequency, and/or nocturia, with or without urinary incontinence after midurethral sling surgery persisting after 6 months. Quality of life evaluations included the short forms of the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7. A total of 248 women who underwent sling surgeries and had complete weight measurement and evaluation data before and after the surgeries were included, of whom 47 gained body weight, and 201 had a stable body weight. The median follow-up duration was 18 months (range, 6-47 months). There were no significant differences in surgical outcomes between the 2 groups regarding objective cure rate (86% vs 87%, p = .834), 1-hour pad test (4.5 ± 17.8 vs 3.6 ± 18.6 g, p = .770), or postoperative quality of life (Urogenital Distress Inventory-6: 1.9 ± 2.8 vs 2.8 ± 3.2, p = .122; Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7: 1.8 ± 3.9 vs 2.6 ± 4.3, p = .307). A trend toward increased de novo OAB rate was observed, although this finding was not adequately powered. CONCLUSION: Weight gain after sling surgeries did not influence surgical outcomes, but there was a nonsignificant trend toward increased OAB in the weight gain group. It may be beneficial to counsel patients with regard to body weight maintenance after sling surgeries.

The emperor has no clothes: OAB can be cured surgically.

The paper by Karjalainen et al., who reviewed 2,933 pelvic organ prolapse surgeries, showed 75% cure for "bothersome" urge urinary incontinence (UUI), is more than an "Aha" moment; it is an "Emperor has no clothes" moment. Since 1976, a convention of "no surgery" for women with UUI (now overactive bladder, OAB) has become almost an article of faith. Yet, surgical cure of OAB has been known since 1997, when this journal published the first urodynamically controlled study with 20-month data: 86% cure for UUI, 85% for frequency, 80% for nocturia following pubourethral ligament (PUL) and uterosacral ligament (USL) sling repair in 85 women. This study was followed by many other publications over the years recording OAB cure. It is not that even a small fraction of the 600 million women on the planet will now undergo surgery, or that damaged ligaments are the only cause of OAB. However, knowing OAB can be cured opens the door for young creative minds to bring hope and relief to these women non-surgically, as well as surgically.

Impact of urethroplasty on overactive bladder symptoms in patients with anterior urethral strictures.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of overactive bladder in men with anterior urethral stricture and to evaluate the impact of urethroplasty on its improvement. METHODS: A total of 104 men with anterior urethral stricture who underwent urethroplasty between 2016 and 2020 completed a validated urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure comprising six lower urinary tract symptoms questions on voiding symptoms and overactive bladder symptom score before and 3, 6, and 12 months after urethroplasty. Patients with an urgency score of ≥2 for overactive bladder symptom score question 3, and a total overactive bladder symptom score of ≥3 were considered to have overactive bladder. An improvement in overactive bladder was defined as a decrease in the total overactive bladder symptom score by at least three points. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (37.5%) were considered to have overactive bladder, and improvement in overactive bladder after urethroplasty was found in 30 (76.9%). Maximum flow rate on uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume, lower urinary tract symptoms total score, and total overactive bladder symptom score were all significantly improved after urethroplasty (P < 0.0001 for all variables). There was a positive correlation between changes in lower urinary tract symptoms total score and total overactive bladder symptom score (Spearman's correlation 0.48, P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that greater change in lower urinary tract symptoms score was an independent predictor of improvement in overactive bladder (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.59; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Overactive bladder is prevalent in patients with anterior urethral stricture, and can be effectively improved after urethroplasty. Improvement of voiding symptoms are key for improving overactive bladder symptoms.

The surgical effect on overactive bladder symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

This study aimed to explore the effect of pelvic reconstruction surgery on the relation of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and overactive bladder (OAB) and the impact of preoperative vaginal oestrogen supplement on vaginal tissue. A total of 100 postmenopausal women with symptomatic POP who underwent pelvic reconstruction surgery (laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy or transvaginal mesh) were enrolled in this study. Preoperative vaginal oestrogen was prescribed in 28 cases. The evaluation tools consisted of POP-Q, urodynamic study, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and urinary NGF. Vaginal maturation index and vaginal specimens for hormone receptors study were investigated during operation to evaluate the effect of topical oestrogen. Follow-up assessments were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Preoperatively, 58 (58%) were POP with OAB. After reconstruction surgery, the OABSS decreased significantly (6.87 ± 0.85 vs 3.77 ± 0.61, p < 0.001) at postoperative 6 months in the group. Remarkable increasing trends of urinary NGF levels are noted till 3 months postoperatively, then decreasing to the baseline level at 6 months postoperative follow-up. Remarkable decrease of mRNA of the androgen receptor and significant higher expression of progesterone receptor (PR) were noted after use of the vaginal oestrogen cream. The severity of OAB in the POP women shows moderate degree according to OABSS. Pelvic reconstruction surgery can significantly improve the OAB symptoms. The surgery induced inflammation effect lasts for about 6 months. Short-term preoperative supplement of topical oestrogen brings alterations of the vaginal epithelium.

Presurgical bladder wall thickness is a useful marker to predict the postsurgical improvement of symptoms in patients with pelvic organ prolapse-related overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a cause of overactive bladder (OAB), and transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery can improve the symptoms. Bladder wall thickness (BWT) is a useful and safe marker to evaluate bladder function in urinary disorders. The main purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between BWT and changes in the OAB symptom score (OABSS) after TVM operation in patients with POP. METHODS: BWT was measured by ultrasonography before and 6 months after surgery at three sites in the bladder: the anterior wall, trigone, and dome. Similarly, the OABSS was evaluated at the time of BWT measurement. Changes induced in BWT at each site and the mean BWT at all sites after TVM surgery were analyzed. Similarly, the relationship between presurgical BWT and the decrease in OABSS was investigated. RESULTS: TVM surgery improved OABSS in 30 patients (responders; 73.2%), while 11 patients were judged as nonresponders (26.8%). BWT at the anterior bladder wall and dome as well as the mean BWT at all three sites were significantly decreased by TVM surgery (P < .001). Similar trends were identified in OABSS responders; however, all markers showed no significant changes in OABSS nonresponders. All the BWT-related markers before surgery were significantly lower in OABSS responders than in OABSS nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS: BWT at the bladder anterior wall and dome, but not the trigone, were decreased by TVM surgery. We conclude that presurgical BWT may be a useful marker to predict the improvement in OAB symptoms by TVM surgery in patients with POP-related OAB.

Detrusor overactivity and underactivity: implication for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostate hyperplasia diagnosis and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Detrusor underactivity (DUA) and detrusor overactivity (DO) have potential impact on the outcomes of surgery for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostate hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a literature search including studies on humans enrolling patients with preoperative urodynamic evidence of DO and/or DUA undergoing LUTS/BPH surgery. Factors that may influence the outcomes of surgery in these patients were evaluated. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In patients with DUA mean bladder contractility index improved from +4 to +44.6, mean total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) improved from -3 to -19.5 points, mean maximum urinary flow (Qmax) improved from +1.4 to +11.7 mL/s, and mean postvoid residual volume (PVR) improved from -16.5 to -736 mL. Older age, lack of obstruction, concomitant DO, lower detrusor contractility and use of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or photovaporization (PV) instead of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) were associated with worse outcomes. In patients with DO, the percentage of DO resolution ranged from 57.1% to 83.3%. Mean total IPSS, Qmax, and PVR variations ranged from +0.9 to -15.7 points, from -0.2 mL/s to +14 mL/s, and from -19.6 to -202.5 mL, respectively. Older age, lack of obstruction, terminal DO, low maximum cystometric capacity, early and high amplitude DO, and use of transurethral prostate incision instead of TURP or open adenomectomy were associated with worse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DUA or DO, surgery for LUTS/BPH provides overall good results. However, a number of factors can affect these outcomes.

Treat or Wait? Natural Perioperative Course of Overactive Bladder Symptoms at the Time of Midurethral Sling Placement.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to describe the perioperative course of untreated overactive bladder (OAB) (urinary frequency [UF] and urgency urinary incontinence [UUI]) before and after isolated retropubic midurethral sling (MUS) and to identify the time point for spontaneous OAB symptom improvement in the most patients. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of women undergoing an isolated MUS. Women completed the Urogenital Distress Inventory 6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7 preoperatively and weekly for 13 weeks postoperatively. Bothersome UF and UUI were defined as a response of "moderately" or "greatly" bothered on questions 1 and 2 of the Urogenital Distress Inventory. The treatment for OAB was deferred until 13 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-four women were included with a mean ± SD age of 48 ± 9 years. Preoperatively, 41% of women reported both bothersome UF and UUI. Six weeks after surgery, only 15% and 6% reported bothersome UF and UUI (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Between 6 and 13 weeks, percentages of bothersome symptoms remained low (11.7% UF and 5.8% UUI). In addition, the impact of these urinary symptoms on activities, relationships, and feelings became consistently negligible (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7 median score <1) at 5 weeks postoperatively. Only 3 women desired treatment for UUI after the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Overactive bladder is common before and immediately after MUS. However, the majority of patients have spontaneous symptom resolution by 6 weeks after surgery; it may be reasonable to discontinue preoperatively initiated overactive bladder treatment or defer starting treatment until this time point.

Robot-assisted Supratrigonal Cystectomy and Augmentation Cystoplasty with Totally Intracorporeal Reconstruction in Neurourological Patients: Technique Description and Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation cystoplasty as a third-line therapy for neurogenic detrusor overactivity performed by an open approach has long been studied. Few laparoscopic and robot-assisted series have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and functional outcomes of completely intracorporeal robot-assisted supratrigonal cystectomy and augmentation cystoplasty (RASCAC) in patients with refractory neurogenic detrusor overactivity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We identified all patients undergoing RASCAC, as treatment for refractory neurogenic detrusor overactivity, from August 2016 to April 2018. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: RASCAC was performed in all cases using a standardized technique with the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) in a four-arm configuration. MEASUREMENTS: Perioperative data, and functional and urodynamic results at 1-yr follow-up were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata version 15.1. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Ten patients were identified. No conversion to open surgery was needed. The median operative time was 250 (interquartile range 210-268) min, the median estimated blood loss was 75 (50-255) ml, and the median hospitalization time was 12 (10.5-13) d. The 30-d major complication rate was 10%. Two patients presented a late urinary fistula; in one of the cases, surgical revision was needed. In both cases, low compliance to intermittent self-catheterization was identified. At 1-yr follow-up, functional and urodynamic outcomes were excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted augmentation cystoplasty has been shown to be safe and feasible, with a reasonable operative time and low complication rate in experienced hands. A higher number of patients and longer follow-up are, however, warranted to draw definitive conclusions. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this report, we look at the outcomes of robot-assisted supratrigonal cystectomy and augmentation cystoplasty in neurourological patients. Perioperative, functional, and urodynamic results are promising. Further studies with a longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

The use of vaginal lasers in the treatment of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder, systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the available literature to assess the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of lasers in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: Pubmed search was conducted up to May 2020, including observational and investigational human studies that documented the effects on laser treatment in SUI and OAB. RESULTS: A total of 27 studies, recording subjective or objective measures in SUI or OAB were included. Lasers used included Er:YAG and Fractional CO2 lasers. The overall quality of studies was poor, and 23/27 studies were case series (LOE:4). Er:YAG laser showed a modest reduction in mild SUI cases, with benefits lasting a maximum of 13-16 months. Er:YAG laser for OAB showed conflicting results, with a trend to improve OAB symptoms for up to 12 months. Fractional CO2 laser showed an improvement of mild SUI in few studies; however, no long-term data are available. For OAB symptoms, studies showed minimal improvement that was evaluated in short term studies. When reported, adverse events were insignificant, however, they were not reported systematically. Several limitations have been noticed in the current literature of vaginal lasers, including large variation in laser settings and protocols, short term follow up, lack of urodynamic evaluation, and appropriate objective measures. CONCLUSION: Based on the available literature, lasers cannot be recommended as a treatment option at this time. Future better-quality studies are needed to document the exact mechanism of action, longevity, safety and its eventual place into the current treatment algorithms of SUI and OAB.

Complete intraureteral stent placement relieves daytime urinary frequency compared with conventional placement in patients with an indwelling ureteral stent: post-hoc analysis of a randomized, controlled trial.

A previous randomized, controlled trial had demonstrated that complete intraureteral stent placement (CIU-SP) was superior to conventional stent placement (C-SP) in terms of improvement of stent-related urinary symptoms. However, it is unclear as to which subdomain symptom and cohort could benefit the most from CIU-SP compared to C-SP in urinary symptoms while considering the baseline urinary status. To determine this, a post-hoc analysis was performed using data from a previous study (CIU-SP group, n = 39; C-SP group, n = 41). We assessed the mean changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) from baseline to day 14. Statistical comparison between the two groups was performed using analysis of covariance with adjustment of baseline urinary status as a covariate. Among 80 patients, the total I-PSS was significantly lower in the CIU-SP group than in the C-SP group in the cohort with mild urinary symptoms (P = 0.005), but not in those with moderate/severe symptoms (P = 0.521). The CIU-SP group showed significantly improved I-PSS and OABSS daytime frequencies, with the highest t statistic (2.47 and 2.10, respectively) among subdomains of both symptom scores compared with the C-SP group (both P < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, the stent placement method (CIU-SP vs. C-SP) was independently associated with the I-PSS daytime frequency on day 14 (P = 0.017). This study suggests that CIU-SP significantly improved stent-related daytime frequency compared with C-SP, and it may benefit especially those patients who have mild urinary symptoms before the placement of ureteral stents.