Vaginal topography does not correlate well with visceral position in women with pelvic organ prolapse

The objective was to determine whether vaginal topography accurately predicts the location of the pelvic viscera on fluoroscopy in women with pelvic organ prolapse. Eighty-nine women undergoing preoperative evaluation for reconstructive pelvic surgery at a tertiary care referral practice formed the study population. Each woman completed a comprehensive urogynecologic history and physical examination, which included a quantified (POP-Q) assessment of her vaginal topography, as described by Bump et al. In addition each woman underwent pelvic floor fluoroscopy (PFF). Visceral sites were selected which corresponded clinically to the vaginal sites measured by the POP-Q. The most dependent portion of the bladder, small intestine, rectum and urethrovesical junction was measured. Twenty-five (28%) women had stage II prolapse, 34 (38%) had stage III prolapse, and 28 (32%) had stage IV prolapse. The remaining 2 women were symptomatic, with stage I prolapse. For the entire study population there was no correlation between the fluoroscopic position of the small bowel and/or rectum and any apical or posterior wall POP-Q site (C, Ap or Bp). There was no correlation with the fluoroscopic position of the UVJ at rest or with straining and the corresponding POP-Q site (Aa). The fluoroscopic position of the most dependent portion of the bladder correlated only modestly with the upper (Ba,ρ=0.51) and lower Aa,ρ=0.68) anterior vaginal wall POP-Q sites. In women without prior surgery (n=33) there was only modest correlation between the fluoroscopic position of the bladder and the corresponding POP-Q site (Aa,ρ=0.71). In this unoperated subpopulation there was no correlation with PFF and any other POP-Q site. In women who had undergone prior hysterectomy (n=25) or hysterectomy with anterior and/or posterior colporrhaphy (n=17), there was only a modest correlation of the most dependent portion of the bladder and the upper anterior vaginal wall site (Bb,ρ=0.67 andρ=0.55, respectively). It was concluded that vaginal topography does not reliably predict the position of the associated viscera on PFF in women with primary or recurrent pelvic organ prolapse. EDITORIAL COMMENT: The authors seek to evaluate whether physical examination of vaginal prolapse using the POP-Q test correlates with fluoroscopic findings of visceral position. Surprisingly, little correlation is found, even in previously unoperated patients. One reason for this lack of correlation between the two modalities of evaluation may lie in the use of two different fixed points of reference: the POP-Q examination uses the hymen as the fixed point of reference, whereas the investigators chose to use the posterior edge of the femur as a fixed bony point of reference when evaluating pelvic floor fluoroscopy in the same patient. The lack of correlation between visual inspection of vaginal wall prolapse and what lies deep to that prolapse should not be used to invalidate the use of the POP-Q as a means to evaluate pelvic prolapse. Rather, the findings support the premise behind the ICS/AUGS/SGS committee on pelvic organ prolapse, specifically that clinical pelvic examination of the vaginal walls looks at surfaces only, and as such cannot determine what, if any, organ lies deep to that surface.     

Endoscopically controlled sinus floor augmentation. A preliminary report.

Sinus augmentation has been advocated to be a surgical technique with predictable results in peri‐implant surgery. Endoscopic surgery of the maxillary sinus so far has been used as diagnostic procedure. In this paper, the use of endoscopy is described as a low invasive adjunctive technique in sinus floor augmentation. After preparation of the mucoperiosteum, bone grafts can be placed under endoscopic control between sinus floor and mucoperiosteum. A laterobasal approach via a small osteotomy and a transalveolar approach are possible for mucosal elevation and graft placement. First clinical results are reported. Endoscopic sinus lift may contribute to a reduction of perioperative morbidity, reduction of oroantal fistulae and control of graft position. The less invasive technique may allow to extend the indication for sinus augmentation.     

Role of the pelvic floor in bladder neck opening and closure I: Muscle forces

The aim of the study was to identify the striated muscle forces hypothesized to assist bladder neck opening and closure in females. Cadaveric dissection was used to identify the levator plate (LP), the anterior portion of pubococcygeus muscle (PCM), the longitudinal muscle of the anus (LMA), and their relation to the bladder, vagina and rectum. X-ray video recordings were made during coughing, straining, squeezing and micturition in a group of 20 incontinent patients and 4 controls, along with surface EMG, urethral pressure and digital palpation studies. During effort, urethral closure appeared to be activated by a forward muscle force corresponding to PCM, and bladder neck closure by backward muscle forces corresponding to LP and LMA. During micturition the PCM force appeared to relax, allowing LP and LMA to pull open the outflow tract. The data appear to support the hypothesis of specific directional muscle forces stretching the vagina to assist bladder neck opening and closure.     

Change in urethral pressure during voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction and vaginal electrical stimulation

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of voluntary pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction and vaginal electrical stimulation on urethral pressure. Twelve women with genuine stress incontinence, mean age 49.4 years (range 33–66) participated in the study. The urethral and bladder pressures were recorded simultaneously through a double-lumen 8 Ch catheter. The patients first performed three voluntary PFM contractions. Then two electrical stimulators, Conmax and Medicon MS 105, 50 Hz, were used in random order. A visual analog scale was used to measure pain and discomfort. Pain was reported to mean 6.8, SEM 0.64 (range 0.7–9.9) and mean 6.1, SEM 0.81 (range 0–9.1) with Conmax and Medicon MS 105, respectively. The mean paired difference in favor of voluntary contraction with Conmax was ?8.0, SD 6.7,P=0.0067, and with Medicon MS 105 it was ?12.2, SD 5.9,P=0.0022. The results demonstrated that voluntary PFM contraction increased urethral pressure significantly more than did vaginal electrical stimulation.     

通瘀注射液盆腔给药法治疗外在型子宫内膜异位症的临床研究

目的　运用通瘀注射液在非直视下经输卵管盆腔给药对子宫内膜异位症 (EEMs)的治疗作用 ,探讨活血化瘀法对EEMs的作用机理及此给药法的优势。方法　将临床治疗的EEMs患者 60例随机分为治疗组 (通瘀注射液组 )和对照组 (丹那唑组 ) ,疗程各为 3个月。用药前后测定下列指标 :临床症状与体征、内分泌激素、血液流变学、癌抗原 12 5 (CA12 5)和子宫内膜抗体 (EMAb)的阳性率变化。结果　治疗组的临床症状与体征、血液粘滞度和红细胞压积、CA12 5和EMAb的阳性率均降低 ,卵泡刺激素 (FSH)、黄体生成素 (LH)、雌二醇 (E2 )和孕激素 (P)的含量均受到调节 ,与对照组相比 ,差异有显著性。而治疗组对内分泌的调节能力弱于对照组 ,但作用柔和、均衡。结论　通瘀注射液对EEMs的作用是通过清除月经时异位内膜的瘀血、水肿、改善微循环及组织供氧、调节免疫功能和内分泌紊乱而实现的 ,与丹那唑相比其副作用小、并以治本为主。盆腔给药法则可使药物直达病灶 ,见效快     

An effective treatment for functional urinary incoordination

Twenty women diagnosed with functional urinary incoordination were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: biofeedback or progressive muscle relaxation. Ten subjects who were placed on a waiting list prior to treatment allocation served as a comparison group. The biofeedback intervention focused specifically on retraining of pelvic floor musculature (PFM). Patients were assessed pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 2-month follow-up. Outcome measures included self-reported symptomatology, psychological functioning, psychophysiological assessment of the PFM, and urologist ratings of problem severity and treatment efficacy. Both treatment approaches proved effective in improving symptomatology and psychological state. Subjects on the waiting list demonstrated no change in urological difficulties. No differences were found between the two treatment groups on any of the outcome measures. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.     

Direct imaging of the pelvic floor muscles using two-dimensional ultrasound: a comparison of women with urogenital prolapse versus controls

Objective  To evaluate the anatomy of the levator ani muscle in women with urogenital prolapse versus matched controls without prolapse using real-time two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasound.
Design  Prospective observational study.
Setting  Tertiary referral urogynaecology unit.
Population  Forty-three women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and 24 women (controls) attending a gynaecology clinic without prolapse.
Methods  All participants completed a standardised symptom questionnaire.
Main outcome measures  The morphology of the vagina and paravaginal tissue was recorded at different levels. The thickness of the levator ani and the hiatal area were measured at rest. Reproducibility of the method was assessed by repeated measurements to assess intra-observer variability and inter-observer variability.
Results  This method showed good intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility and reliability. In controls, the pubococcygeus muscle showed more regular echogenicity with no evidence of trauma, whereas in women with prolapse the muscle had mixed echogenicity. ( P = 0.002). The mean thickness of the pubococcygeus did not differ between groups. The levator hiatal area was significantly larger in women with pelvic floor prolapse versus controls (17.8 cm² versus 13.5 cm², P < 0.001). This increase in hiatal area positively and significantly correlated with prolapse severity ( P < 0.001).
Conclusions  Morphology and hiatal area can be reliably imaged using 2-D ultrasound. Prolapse was related to changes in pelvic floor morphology and increased levator hiatal area. The use of 2-D ultrasound provides an important insight into the pathophysiology of prolapse.     

保留盆腔自主神经的全直肠系膜切除的临床应用及评价

目的探讨保留盆腔自主神经（PANP）的全直肠系膜切除（TME）在男性直肠癌低位保肛术中的应用。方法回顾性分析传统手术、TME和PANP＋TME在男性直肠癌保肛手术中的应用，对各组病人肿瘤下缘距肛门距离、3年存活率、局部复发率、排尿功能、性功能作一评价。结果TME组和PANP＋TME组手术病人的肿瘤下缘距肛门距离较传统手术组明显缩短（P〈0．05）；3组的3年存活率分析差异无显著性（P〉0．05）；TME组和PANP＋TME组的局部复发率较传统手术组明显降低（P〈0．05）；传统手术组、TME组、PANP＋TME组的排尿障碍、勃起功能障碍和射精功能障碍的发生率逐渐降低，3组间两两比较差异均有显著性（P〈0．05）。PANP手术分型与排尿障碍、勃起功能障碍和射精功能障碍分级呈正相关（P〈0．05）。结论TME可以降低直肠癌的局部复发率，降低排尿障碍和性功能障碍的发生率；PANP和TME结合使排尿障碍和性功能障碍的发生率更加降低，PANP手术保留神经越彻底，手术后排尿障碍、性功能障碍的发生率越低。     

Prospective assessment of biofeedback for the treatment of paradoxical puborectalis contraction

Eighteen patients with chronic constipation were diagnosed as having paradoxical puborectalis contraction (PPC) as the cause for their constipation. The diagnosis of PPC was made after office evaluation, colonic transit study, manometry, cinedefecography, and electromyography (EMG). These 18 patients had a mean duration of symptoms of 26.9 years; none of these patients had unassisted bowel movements. Fourteen patients had a mean of 4.6 laxative-induced bowel evacuations per week, and 11 patients had a mean of 4.4 enema-induced bowel evacuations per week. Patients underwent a mean of 8.9 one-hour EMG-based biofeedback sessions. At a mean follow-up of 9.1 (range, 0.5–12) months, these 18 patients had a mean of 7.3 unassisted bowel actions per week ( P <0.0001). In addition, persistent laxative use was reported by only two patients, and, in both cases, this was once a week or less ( P <0.001). Similarly, enema use was reported by only three patients, one once weekly and the other two thrice weekly ( P <0.002). No biofeedback-related complications were identified. EMG-based biofeedback is a valuable technique associated with an 89 percent success rate in the treatment of PPC.Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Boston, Massachusetts, May 12 to 17, 1991.