Severe depression determines quality of life in urinary incontinent women

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to assess depression and anxiety in urinary incontinent women and to investigate factors influencing their self-perception of urinary incontinence severity. METHODS: In this prospective study, 82 incontinent women estimated the severity of urinary incontinence using a visual analogue scale and completed a validated quality of life instrument: urinary incontinence severity score. Psychiatrists evaluated depression and anxiety using a structured interview of Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety Scales. Patients were classified on the basis of history and urodynamic evaluation into two diagnostic groups: stress urinary incontinence (n = 57) and idiopatic urge incontinence with or without stress incontinence (n = 25). RESULTS: Major depression occurred in 44.0% of women with idiopatic urge (+/- stress) incontinence and in 17.5% women with stress incontinence (odds ratio (OR 3.69), 95% confidence interval (95% CI 1.30-10.49)). Twenty two patients had severe incontinence defined as Urinary Incontinence Severity Score > or =14 points (upper quartile) and 23 patients defined as visual analogue scale > or =9 (upper quartile). In logistic regression analysis, major depression (OR 5.57; 95% CI 1.19-26.11), urge incontinence diagnosis (OR 23.13; 95% CI 1.90-282.11), parity (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.16-4.60) and high Urgency Score (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.32-2.85) predicted Urinary Incontinence Severity Score above the upper quartile. Only the pad-test (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.02) predicted visual analogue scale above upper quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Major depression correlates with reduced incontinence specific quality of life. This data also suggests an association between depression and idiopatic urge incontinence.     

Sacral colpopexy using mersilene mesh in the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse

We report the efficacy and safety of abdominal sacral colpopexy using Mersilene mesh to treat vaginal vault prolapse. A total of 61 patients underwent sacral colpopexy to treat vaginal vault prolapse of whom 58 were available for evaluation. The procedure utilizes an abdominal approach to expose the vaginal vault and the anterior surface of the first and second sacral vertebrae. A Mersilene mesh is fastened to the anterior and posterior vaginal walls then anchored to the sacrum without tension. Hysterectomy and posterior colporrhaphy were performed as indicated. Concomitant anti-incontinence surgery was performed in 52 patients: 41 underwent Burch colposuspension, and 11 had pubovaginal sling placement. To assess long-term subjective and clinical efficacy, patients completed a questionnaire and underwent pelvic examination at least 1 year following surgery. The resolution of symptoms, objective restoration of normal pelvic support, and urinary continence defined surgical success. Median patient age at operation was 62 years. Previous operations included 29 hysterectomy procedures, five failed sacrospinous fixation, and 12 failed anti-incontinence procedures. The total complication rate was 15%. With a median follow-up of 26 months, complete correction of vaginal prolapse was found in 91% of patients. Vaginal symptoms were relieved in 90% of patients and 88% of patients had resolution of their urinary incontinence. Ninety percent of patients were satisfied with the surgery and would recommend it to others. Sacral colpopexy using Mersilene mesh relieves vaginal vault symptoms, restores vaginal function, and provides durable pelvic support.     

Laparoscopic promontory sacral colpopexy: is the posterior, recto-vaginal, mesh mandatory?

OBJECTIVE(S): The aim of our retrospective study was to determine if systematic placement of a posterior mesh, in addition to an anterior vesico-vaginal mesh, is necessary for laparoscopic treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: A laparoscopic promontory sacral colpopexy was performed in 108 patients, including 55 patients with a concurrent laparoscopic Burch procedure (50.9%). We compared 33 patients treated with a single anterior mesh (SAM) and 71 treated with a double, anterior and posterior, mesh (DM). RESULTS: The difference between the SAM and DM groups was statistically significant in terms of posterior compartment failure (rectocele and/or enterocele): 31.3% and 5.9%, respectively (p=0.0006). This significant difference persisted in the Burch (B) group (p=0.001), but not in the non-Burch (NB) group (p=0.98). Among the SAM group, this difference between the B and NB groups, was significant (57.1% versus 0%; p=0.0015) and above all not a single posterior failure was observed in the NB group. CONCLUSION(S): The placement of a posterior mesh, if highly effective, appeared unnecessary in the absence of an associated Burch procedure or a patent posterior prolapse. The posterior mesh also increased risk of postoperative complications and side effects.     

Differences in prevalence of urinary incontinence by race/ethnicity

PURPOSE: We compared the prevalence of urinary incontinence by type among white, black, Hispanic and Asian-American women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The RRISK is a population based cohort study of 2,109 randomly selected middle-aged and older women. Incontinence and other variables were assessed by self-report questionnaires and in person interviews. Labor and delivery and surgical data were abstracted from medical records archived since 1946. Logistic regression was used to estimate the OR with 95% CIs for incontinence while adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The age adjusted prevalence of weekly incontinence was highest among Hispanic women, followed by white, black and Asian-American women (36%, 30%, 25% and 19%, respectively, p <0.001). Type of incontinence also differed among groups, with weekly stress incontinence prevalence being 18%, 15%, 8% and 8% (p <0.001), and weekly urge incontinence prevalence being 10%, 9%, 14% and 7% (p <0.001). After adjustment for age, parity, hysterectomy, estrogen use, body mass, menopausal status and diabetes, the risk of stress incontinence remained significantly lower in black (adjusted OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23-0.57) and Asian-American (adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34-0.86) women compared to white women. In contrast, the risk of urge incontinence was similar in black (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.79-1.81) and Asian-American (adjusted OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.52-1.43) women compared to white women. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the adjusted risk of stress incontinence among Hispanic, white, black and Asian-American women suggest the presence of additional, as yet unrecognized, risk or protective factors for stress incontinence.     

Target vessel revascularization following percutaneous coronary intervention. A 10-year report from the Danish Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Registry

OBJECTIVE: To present the rate of target vessel revascularization (TVR) in a consecutive and unselected national population over 10 years. DESIGN: From 1989 to 1998 all percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed in Denmark were recorded in the Danish PTCA Registry. RESULTS: From 1989 to 1998 the annual rate of PCI rose from 46 to 753 per million inhabitants. From 1995 to 1998 TVR with PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within 9 months from the index PCI decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from 21.2% in 1995 (CABG 8.6% vs PCI 12.6%) to 11.7% in 1998 (CABG 4.3% vs PCI 7.4%). Independent predictors for TVR were: coronary stenting (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.52-0.69, p < 0.001), primary success rate (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.53-0.89, p < 0.005), pre-PCI stenosis severity (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.01, p = 0.03), left anterior descending coronary artery (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.73-3.19, p < 0.001), right coronary artery (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.17-2.20, p = 0.003), sapheneous vein graft (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.13-3.63, p = 0.017) and age (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98-1.00, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Coronary stenting, primary success rate, pre-PCI stenosis severity, age and treated vessel were independent predictors for TVR.     

Does urodynamic investigation improve outcome in patients undergoing prolapse surgery?

AIMS: Without solid evidence, it has been advocated to perform urodynamic investigation in all patients scheduled for prolapse surgery. If urodynamic investigations were to be valuable in the diagnostic work-up, patients with normal and abnormal findings would have different treatment results. Our policy to never combine prolapse surgery and stress-incontinence surgery allowed us to study whether incontinence after surgery can be predicted from urodynamic investigation results. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in consecutive patients undergoing vaginal prolapse surgery (anterior colporraphy and/or posterior colporraphy, and/or vaginal hysterectomy) between 2002 and 2004. All patients underwent pre-operative urodynamic investigation, including filling cystometry, urethral pressure profile measurement, and free flow cystometry. Data were collected from the files about medical history, findings at pelvic examination, findings at urodynamic investigation and presence of stress- and/or urge-incontinence after surgery. RESULTS: We studied 76 patients, of whom 5 (7%) patients reported stress-incontinence and 5 (7%) patients reported urge-incontinence after surgery. Findings at urodynamic investigation could not predict the presence of stress- or urge-incontinence after surgery. Likelihood ratios (LR) of prior presence of urge and stress-incontinence for the presence of post-operative urge- and stress-incontinence were 4.5 and 1.2, respectively. Of all findings at urodynamic investigation, only negative transmission during cough test was associated with presence of stress-incontinence (LR = 1.5). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of incontinence after prolapse surgery is low. None of the investigated parameters of the urodynamic investigation tests was associated with the presence of urinary incontinence after surgery.     

Risk factors for mesh complications after trocar guided transvaginal mesh kit repair of anterior vaginal wall prolapse

AIMS: To identify risk factors for mesh exposures after anterior pelvic organ prolapse repair using a standardized trocar guided polypropylene mesh kit. METHODS: A secondary risk analysis combining patients from two prospective multicenter studies. Main outcome was clinical host-vs-implant reactions one year after surgery using a macroscopic inflammatory scale. RESULTS: 353 patients were included in the study. Mean age at surgery was 65.3 (±9.6 SD) years and surgery was performed as a primary procedure in 224/353 (63.5%) patients. Mesh exposures, of which the majority were mild-moderate, occurred in a total of 30/349 patients (8.6%). Multivariate logistic regression showed increased odds for mesh exposures for women who smoked before surgery (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.18-10.28), who had given birth to more than two children (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.07-6.51) and those with somatic inflammatory disease (OR 5.11, 95% CI 1.17-22.23). Age, body mass index, and menopausal status showed no significant association with clinical mesh exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking, multiple childbirth, and somatic inflammatory disease are possible risk factors for mesh exposure after trocar guided mesh kit surgery for anterior pelvic organ prolapse. Preoperative smoking cessation may decrease the risk for exposures. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1165-1169, 2012. ? 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A comparison of urodynamic diagnoses and detrusor muscle function in white and South Indian Asian women

PURPOSE: We compared urodynamic data and the final diagnosis after testing between white and Asian women investigated for urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urodynamic traces of consecutive women investigated between January 2002 and December 2003 were reviewed. Urodynamic diagnoses were classified as normal, urodynamic stress incontinence, detrusor overactivity (DOA) or mixed incontinence. In DOA cases the amplitude and number of detrusor contractions, and the volume at which the first involuntary contraction occurred were recorded. Data were compared by ethnic group. RESULTS: The distribution of diagnoses was significantly different between Asian and white women (p <0.0001). In Asian and white women we noted urodynamic stress incontinence in 22% and 53% (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.48), DOA in 28% and 17% (OR 1.88, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.60) and mixed incontinence in 22% and 7% (OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.70 to 8.22), respectively. Post-void residual volume (p = 0.02), volume at strong desire to void (p = 0.03) and cystometric capacity (p = 0.0002) were lower in Asian women. In those with DOA the first contraction occurred at a lower volume in Asian woman (57 vs 179 ml, p = 0.002). Asian women had more contractions (5 vs 3, p = 0.009) with higher maximum (50 vs 32 cm H2O, p = 0.004) and average (34.4 vs 25.3 cm H2O, p = 0.03) detrusor pressure. CONCLUSIONS: In women who undergo urodynamics a greater proportion of Asian women have DOA and mixed incontinence compared with white women. Functional differences in detrusor contraction pressures exist, which may suggest a fundamental difference in bladder function or disease etiology. Exploration of this theory requires further study.     

The Rosti sling: a new, minimally invasive, tension-free technique for the surgical treatment of female urinary incontinence-the first 217 patients

PURPOSE: We evaluated the outcome of a new, innovative, inexpensive tension-free technique, the Rosti sling (RS), for female urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RS was performed in 217 patients under local (45%), spinal (52%) or general (3%) anesthesia. A 1.5 x 33 cm strip of polypropylene mesh was inserted under the mid urethra from above through small suprapubic stabs down and out through a 1.5 cm midline vaginal incision using the Stamey needle. Of the women 76% had stress urinary incontinence and 24% had mixed incontinence. Patient age was 24 to 90 years (mean 56) and parity was 0 to 6 (mean 2). The diagnosis of incontinence was based on history and physical examinations with a cough stress test. Mean followup was 23 months. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 25 minutes (range 15 to 45) and mean hospital stay was 3 days (range 1 to 12). Perioperative complications were bladder and urethral perforations in 2 and 1 cases, respectively (1.4%), and hematoma in 3 (1.4%). There was postoperative retention with a variable duration in 49 patients (23%), of whom 41 underwent Hegar dilation. Altogether 186 of 215 patients (86.5%) were cured of incontinence. Two patients were lost to followup and 14 (16.3%) had de novo urge incontinence. The cure rates were 87% for stress urinary incontinence and 91% for mixed incontinence. The cure rate in patients treated under local and spinal anesthesia were 82% and 91%, respectively (p = 0.1084). The rates for RS with recurrent vs primary incontinence were 84% vs 87% (p = 0.5800) and for RS with vs without Hegar dilation 80% vs 88% (p = 0.2094). CONCLUSIONS: The technique described is simple, safe and inexpensive. The cure rates are comparable to those of tension-free vaginal tape. However, because of the relatively high rate of postoperative voiding difficulties compared to tension-free vaginal tape, this technique can be criticized. To avoid these problems special attention should be focused on applying the mesh without tension and with precision.     

Nerve injury and recovery after lateral lumbar interbody fusion with and without bone morphogenetic protein-2 augmentation: a cohort-controlled study

Background contextDespite common use of intraoperative electrophysiologic neuromonitoring, injuries to the lumbar plexus during lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) have been reported. Emerging data suggest that recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) use during an anterior or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion may be associated with an increased risk of neurological deficit. Clinical data on the sequelae of rhBMP-2 implantation in close proximity to the lumbosacral plexus during LLIF remains to be understood.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of neurologic deficits and pain in patients undergoing LLIF with and without rhBMP-2.Study design/settingRetrospective outcome analysis in controlled cohorts undergoing the lateral exposure technique for LLIF with and without rhBMP-2.MethodsThe electronic medical records of patients undergoing LLIF with and without supplemental posterior fusion for degenerative spinal conditions were retrospectively reviewed over a 6-year period. Patients with previous lumbar spine surgery or follow-up of less than 6 months were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups, Group 1 (rhBMP-2 use; n=72) and Group 2 (autograft/allograft use; n=72), and were matched according to the age at the time of surgery, gender, weight, body mass index, side of approach, total number of treated spinal segments, use of supplemental posterior fusion, and length of follow-up.ResultsImmediately after surgery, a sensory deficit was recorded in 33 patients in Group 1 and 35 patients in Group 2 (odds ratio [OR] 0.895; 90% confidence interval [CI] 0.516–1.550; p=.739). At last follow-up, a persistent sensory deficit was identified in 29 patients whose LLIF procedure was supplemented by rhBMP-2 and 20 patients in whom autograft/allograft was used (OR 1.754; 90% CI 0.976–3.151; p=.115). A motor deficit was recorded in 37 patients immediately after the rhBMP-2 procedure and 28 patients treated with autograft/allograft (OR 1.661; 90% CI 0.953–2.895; p=.133). A persistent motor deficit was recorded in 35 and 17 patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, at last follow-up (OR 3.060; 90% CI 1.681–5.571; p=.002). During the first postoperative examination, 37 patients in Group 1 and 25 patients in Group 2 complained of anterior thigh or groin pain (OR 1.987; 90% CI 1.133–3.488; p=.045). At last follow-up, there was a significantly higher number of patients in Group 1 who complained of persistent anterior thigh or groin pain than Group 2 (8 vs. 0 patients) (OR 16.470; 90% CI 1.477–183.700; p=.006).ConclusionsOur results provide evidence of an increased rate of postoperative neurologic deficit and anterior thigh/groin pain after LLIF using rhBMP-2, when compared with matched controls without rhBMP-2 exposure. This study suggests a potential direct deleterious effect of rhBMP-2 on the lumbosacral plexus.     

Long-term results of the Burch procedure combined with abdominal sacrocolpopexy for treatment of vault prolapse

The aim of the study was to determine the long-term results of Burch procedures combined with vault prolapse repair by abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Between 1986 and 1997 82 women (mean age 46.0 years, range 27-79) underwent sacrocolpopexy combined with a Burch procedure. All patients presented with urinary incontinence and vault prolapse. The surgery consisted of a Burch procedure using non-absorbable suture material, and abdominal sacrocolpopexy with a non-absorbable mesh. The mesh was placed anteriorly and posteriorly in 66 cases, posteriorly (rectovaginal) in 12, and anteriorly (vesicovaginal) in 4. Additional procedures included hysterectomy (34 cases), enterocele repair (79 cases), and posterior repair with perineorrhaphy (65 cases). Failure was defined as the presence of persistent or worsened postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI). At a mean follow-up of 86 months (range 24-133) 34% (28/82) of patients were dry, and another 46% (38/82) were improved compared to their preoperative status. The postoperative SUI rate (persistent, worsened) after the placement of a single anterior mesh (4 failures out of 4) was higher than the postoperative SUI rate after combined meshes (41 failures out of 66) (log rank P = 0.05). All the patients with a history of prior surgery had worsened or persistent stress urinary incontinence (7/7), but 63% (47/75) of those with no prior surgery for stress urinary incontinence had worsened or persistent stress urinary incontinence (log rank P = 0.01). One case of recurrent rectocele was observed (after 20 months) and treated by transvaginal Richter sacrospinous fixation. At a mean follow up of 7 years, the Burch procedure combined with abdominal sacrocolpopexy appears to be less effective than previously published long-term results for the Burch procedure alone.     

The risk of anal incontinence in obese women

The objectives of this study was to estimate the risk of anal incontinence in morbidly obese women and to identify risk factors associated with anal incontinence in an obese population sample. A case-control study based on the registry of a university hospital obesity unit. A consecutive sample of women with body mass index > or = 35 (obesity class II) was randomly matched by age, gender and residential county to control subjects using the computerised Register of the Total Population. Data were collected by a self-reported postal survey including detailed questions on medical and obstetrical history, obesity history, socioeconomic indices, life style factors and the validated Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score. The questionnaire was returned by 131/179 (73%) of the cases and 453/892 (51%) of the control subjects. Compared to the control group, obese women reported a significantly increased defecation frequency (p < 0.001), inability to discriminate between flatus and faeces (p < 0.001) and flatus incontinence (p < 0.001). Compared with non-obese women, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for flatus incontinence in morbidly obese women was 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-4.1]. A history of obstetric sphincter injury was independently associated with an increased risk of flatus incontinence (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 2.0-9.2) and incontinence of loose stools (OR, 6.6; 95% CI, 1.4-31.4). Other medical and life style interactions did not remain at significant levels in an adjusted multivariable analysis. Obese women are at increased risk for mild to moderate flatus incontinence.     

Uterus preservation in surgical correction of urogenital prolapse

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of colposacropexy with uterine preservation as therapy for uterovaginal prolapse. Surgical techniques, efficacy and overall results are described. METHODS: In this prospective, controlled study, 34 of the 72 consecutive patients with symptomatic uterovaginal prolapse were treated with colposacropexy with uterus conservation (hysterocolposacropexy, HSP) and the other 38 with hysterectomy followed by sacropexy (CSP). Anchorage was achieved with two rectangular meshes in CSP and with one posterior rectangular and one anterior Y-shaped mesh in HSP. Check-ups were scheduled at 3, 6 and 12 months and then yearly. Pre-operative patient characteristics, operative and post-operative events and follow-up results were recorded. Mean follow-up was 51 months (range 12-115). RESULTS: No significant differences emerged in demographic and clinical characteristics between the HSP and CSP groups. Mean operating times, intra-operative blood loss and hospital stay were significantly less after HSP (p<0.001). At follow-up success rates were similar in the two groups in terms of uterine and upper vaginal support (100%). Recurrent low-grade cystoceles developed in 1/38 (2.6%) in the CSP group and in 5/34 (14.7%) in the HSP group (p=NS), recurrent low-grade rectocele developed in 6/38 (15.8%) and in 3/34 (8.8%) patients respectively (p=NS). No patient required surgery for recurrent vault or uterus prolapse. Urodynamic results showed that pressure/flow parameters improved significantly (p<0.001) in both groups. Thirty-one of the 34 patients (91%) in the HSP group and 33/38 (86.8%) in the CSP group were satisfied and would repeat surgery again. CONCLUSIONS: Colposacropexy provides a secure anchorage, restoring an anatomical vaginal axis and a good vaginal length. HSP can be safely offered to women who request uterine preservation. Whether the uterus was preserved or not, patients had similar results in terms of prolapse resolution, urodynamic outcomes, improvements in voiding and sexual dysfunctions. HSP has shorter operating times and less blood loss.     

Post infarction ventricular septal defect - can we do better?

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of early and late outcome among 117 consecutive patients who underwent postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair over a period of 12 years. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data was performed. Mean age was 65.5+/-7.8. There were 43 females. Full data were obtained in 110 patients. Of these, 76 patients presented with anterior and 34 with posterior VSD. Thirty-three patients were operated in cardiogenic shock. Mean time between myocardial infarction (MI) and VSD development was 5.6+/-7.8 days (median 4) and from VSD to surgery 9. 0+/-28.1 (median 2). Sixty-six patients had intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) inserted, and 15 were ventilated preoperatively. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Thirty days mortality was 37%. Among 110 patients, in whom complete analysis was possible, 38 died within 30 days (35%). Mortality in the posterior VSD group was 35% and in the anterior VSD group 34% (NS). In 44 patients (40%) a residual shunt was found on postoperative echocardiography. This required reoperation in 13 patients (four deaths). Cardiogenic shock prior to surgery adversely influenced early survival - odds ratio (OR) 5.7 (confidence interval (CI) 2.1-16.0) (P=0.0008). Deterioration of haemodynamic status in between admission and surgery was stronger predictor of mortality than shock on admission - OR 6.0 (CI 1.6-22.6) (P=0.008) vs. 3.1 (CI 1.0-9.3) (P=0.049). A longer time between MI and surgery favoured survival - OR 0.1 (CI 0.03-0.4) (P=0.002). The time period from the infarct to the septal rupture, but not from the rupture to surgery, appeared to be a significant predictor of survival - OR 0.2 (CI 0. 05-0.6) (P=0.008). Five years survival was 46+/-5%. Preoperative cardiogenic shock affected late survival - OR 2.7 (CI 1.5-4.9) (P=0. 001). Of 72 patients who survived 30 postoperative days, 12 (17%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV and five (6.9%) in Canadian Cardiovascular Soceity (CCS) class III or IV at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative cardiogenic shock and early postinfarction septal rupture carry a grave prognosis. Achieving haemodynamic stability prior to surgery may be beneficial but prolonged attempts to improve patients' cardiovascular state are hazardous.     

Preliminary assessment of postoperative adhesion formation after laser-assisted mesh fixation to the peritoneal surface

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the incidence and persistence of adhesions following intraperitoneal onlay mesh fixation with tissue soldering in an experimental model. METHODS: Anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits (n = 21), weighing 2.8-3.2 kg, underwent laparotomy. Controls (group 1 [n = 3]) had 2 x 2 cm Mersilene (Ethicon, Somerville, New Jersey) polyester mesh segments fixed to the peritoneum with staples (USSC, Norwalk, Connecticut). Group 2 (n = 7) rabbits had Mersilene mesh affixed by melting 55% collagen solder using a prototype laser (1.43 micro, 2.5 W CW, 4 mm spot size, 60 degrees C set temperature) over mesh. Group 3 (n = 6) rabbits had Vicryl (Ethicon, Somerville, New Jersey) polyglactin mesh embedded in 60% collagen solder placed onto the peritoneum and fixed with identical laser parameters as group 2. Group 4 (n = 5) rabbits had 55% collagen solder placed and Mersilene pressed into it after melting. Four segments were placed in each experimental animal. Animals were euthanized at 2, 4, or 6 weeks. Adhesions were graded (0 = none; I = filmy adhesions; II = omental; III = bowel adhesions gently lysed; IV = dense adhesions requiring sharp dissection). RESULTS: Grade III adhesions were observed in both control and group 4 animals at 2 weeks, persisting in group 4 animals at 6 weeks, but having lysed in controls at 6 weeks. No adhesions were present in group 3 specimens at any interval. Grade I adhesions were present in group 2 at 2 weeks at exposed mesh areas, and declined in frequency at 6 weeks. Evidence of reabsorption of the polyglactin mesh-solder composite was apparent in the group 3 specimens at 4 weeks, and complete resorption had occurred by 6 weeks postoperatively. DISCUSSION: Laser-assisted solder fixation caused minimal adhesion formation when mesh was covered by solder. Adhesions were observed if Mersilene mesh material was exposed to the abdominal contents. Vicryl mesh-solder composites reabsorbed without inflammation, scarring, or adhesions at the sites of mesh fixation. CONCLUSION: Further development of this technology is warranted.     

Vaginal mesh erosion after transvaginal repair of cystocele using Gynemesh or Gynemesh-Soft in 138 women: a comparative study

The objective of this study was to compare mesh erosion after transvaginal repair of cystocele using Gynemesh or Gynemesh-Soft mesh. We retrospectively analyzed 138 consecutive cases of transvaginal repair of cystocele using synthetic mesh. The study endpoint was the pathological evidence of vaginal erosion. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of vaginal erosion. One hundred and thirty eight women (ages 30-83 years) with cystocele between October 1999 and October 2004, from a French University Hospital, participated in this study. Cystocele repair was performed in all patients according to the technique of tension-free polypropylene mesh. The median follow-up was 32.1 months (range 7.5-59.9) in the Gynemesh group and 7.1 months (range 1-21.9) in the Gynemesh-Soft group. Vaginal erosion was reported in 27 (20%) of the patients. Anatomically, the success rate was 95% (131/138). There was no statistically significant difference between the Gynemesh and the Gynemesh-Soft meshes [the rate of vaginal erosion of the mesh was 16% (15/89) vs 24% (12/49), respectively, p=0.39]. Univariate analysis only identified age class as factor significantly associated with the probability of vaginal erosion. Multivariate analysis revealed that age class is an independent predictive factor of vaginal erosion (age > 70 years, odds ratio (OR) 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-9.7, p=0.010). Furthermore cystocele stage > 2 (Baden and Walker classification) is a protective factor against vaginal erosion (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.8, p=0.016). Thirteen symptomatic patients (13/27, 48%) necessitated a partial excision of the mesh, associated with a vaginal mucosal closure. Two patients (2/27, 7%) underwent a complete excision of the mesh. The incidence of de novo dyspareunia was 9% in patients with vaginal erosion and 11% in patient without mesh erosion (p=0.85). There was no occurrence of bladder or urethral erosion and no vaginal or pelvic infection. Isolated vaginal erosion of the mesh did not prove to be problematic. Gynemesh-Soft mesh does not decrease the incidence of vaginal erosion. Age > 70 years is an independent predictive factor of vaginal erosion. We recommend that mesh placement by vaginal route should be avoided by women with moderate cystocele. Where possible, total hysterectomy and vertical incision should also be avoided. Management of vaginal erosion is simple and is associated with a low rate of morbidity. However, patients should be informed that vaginal erosion of the mesh can occur. A multivariate analysis reveals that the incidence of vaginal erosion is not significantly different between Gynemesh and Gynemesh-Soft meshes. Other factors of erosion are analyzed.     

Porcine skin collagen implants to prevent anterior vaginal wall prolapse recurrence: a multicenter, randomized study

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy of the Pelvicol porcine collagen implant for preventing recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse in women undergoing primary surgery for pelvic organ prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial in 206 women with stage II or greater anterior vaginal wall prolapse (point Ba -1 or greater) according to the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo anterior vaginal repair or the same procedure with Pelvicol implant reinforcement. SPSS software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 201 women were available for surgical outcome analysis, including 98 and 103 in the implant and no implant groups, respectively. All completed the 1-year followup visit. Most women were satisfied with the postoperative condition with a significant decrease in the visual analog scale score in each group (p <0.001). Anatomical anterior recurrence (point Ba greater than -1) was observed in 7 women (7%) in the implant group and in 20 (19%) in the other groups (OR 3.13, 95% CI 1.26-7.78, p = 0.019). Additionally, there were 11 women (3 and 8, respectively, or 5%) with posterior recurrence and 6 (3 per group or 3%) with unsatisfactory results at the upper vaginal segment. One patient who received a porcine implant had vaginal extrusion of the mesh 1 month after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the Pelvicol implant can be easily and readily used to augment and reinforce anterior colporrhaphy. The prolapse recurrence rate was considerably lower in the implant group compared with outcomes in patients treated with simple anterior repair.     

Association of angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and IgA nephropathy: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been extensively examined for the association with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN), however, conflicting results have occurred. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association of ACE I/D polymorphism with IgAN in different ethnic groups. METHODS: 11 studies testing the association between ACE I/D polymorphism and IgAN susceptibility, and 9 studies testing the association of ACE I/D with IgAN progression were used in this analysis. The overall odds ratio (OR) was estimated by a fixed or random effect model. RESULTS: The overall OR for the risk of susceptibility and progression of IgAN in Asians for the DD genotype is 2.37 (95% CI 1.04-5.41) and 1.75 (95% CI 1.24-2.56). The overall OR for the D allele in Asians also showed a similar magnitude, though without statistical significance (p = 0.09, p = 0.13, respectively). In Caucasians, both the DD genotype and D allele were associated with IgAN progression (OR 1.90, 1.61, respectively), but not IgAN susceptibility (p = 0.30, p = 0.41, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the notion that ACE I/D polymorphism is associated with IgAN. Meanwhile, the role of ACE I/D polymorphism in Asians is different from that of Caucasians.     

Bilateral extraperitoneal uterosacral vaginal vault suspension: a 2-year follow-up longitudinal case series of 123 patients

Introduction and hypothesis  The objective of this study is to assess anatomical and functional results of the extraperitoneal uterosacral ligament suspension (USL) in women with post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Methods  One hundred and twenty-three consecutive women were included. Concurrent procedures were anterior colporraphy with fascial repair (20%) and mesh reinforcement (49%), posterior colporraphy with fascial repair (38%) and mesh reinforcement (56%) and a sling procedure (29%). Women were assessed using Baden and Walker and pelvic organ prolapse quantification classification pre- and post-operatively. Results  One hundred and ten patients (89%) were available for follow-up. Mean follow-up was 2 years. Objective success rate regarding the vaginal cuff is 95.4%. Global anatomical success rate was 85.5%. Urinary, coital and bowel symptoms were improved following surgery. Mesh exposure rate was 19.3%, with all cases managed conservatively or with minor interventions. Conclusion  Bilateral extraperitoneal USL is an effective operation to restore apical support with low morbidity, which avoids potential risks associated with opening the peritoneal cavity.