Surgical strategies for women with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary stress incontinence

Introduction and hypothesis  

This study aims to compare the result of an incontinence procedure performed at the time of prolapse repair or 3 months later in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).     

女性盆底器官脱垂伴尿失禁患者的尿动力学特征

目的 探讨女性盆底器官脱垂伴尿失禁患者膀胱储尿期和排尿期的尿动力学参数变化. 方法对182例女性尿失禁和盆底器官脱垂患者进行尿动力学检查,其中尿失禁140例,尿失禁伴盆底器官脱垂42例.在统一标准下行尿动力学检查测定膀胱灌注量、排尿量、膀胱顺应性、最大尿流率、最大尿流率逼尿肌压、最小尿流率逼尿肌压、尿道阻力因子(URA)、膀胱梗阻指数(OBI)以及归-化逼尿肌收缩力,评价女性尿失禁患者盆底器官脱垂对膀胱储尿功能和排尿功能的影响. 结果 尿失禁组与尿失禁伴盆底器官脱垂组患者尿失禁病程[(58.1±75.4)与(41.9±55.4)个月]、膀胱灌注量[(295.3±95.8)与(276.5±80.8)ml]、膀胱顺应性[(77.7±122.1)与(51.5±61.9)ml/cm H2O]、最大尿流率[(15.8±12.5)与(14.7±13.9)ml/s]、最小尿流率逼尿肌压[(3.2±5.8)与(2.8±5.5)ml/cm H2O]、归-化逼尿肌收缩力[(7.5±12.8)与(8.2±13.8)cm H2O]相比差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);而年龄[(58.7±12.2)与(67.1±8.3)岁]、排尿量[(269.2±145.2)与(248.9±135.1)ml]、最大尿流率逼尿肌压[(20.4±16.2)与(25.7±21.3)cm H2O]、URA[(11.3±9.5与(14.8±12.6)cm H2O]、OBI[(15.6±14.5)与(21.7±20.1)cm H2O]2组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论高龄女性尿失禁患者更可能伴有盆底器官脱垂,而盆底器官脱垂对膀胱储尿功能无影响,但可影响排尿期相关参数,增加膀胱出口阻力和膀胱残余尿量.     

Elastolytic activity in women with stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

AIMS: Weakening of pelvic supportive tissues is thought to be a contributing etiology in female pelvic floor disorders such as stress urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse (SUI/POP). Since elastin modulates the mechanical properties of supportive tissues, we examined elastase activity in vaginal tissue from women with pelvic floor dysfunction compared to asymptomatic controls, by comparing overall elastase activity, human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin K, and alpha-1 antitrypsin (a serine protease inhibitor) mRNA and protein levels. METHODS: Full-thickness peri-urethral vaginal wall tissues were collected from age and menstrual-phase matched SUI/POP and control women at the time of pelvic surgery. Elastolytic activity in the homogenized tissue was determined by the generation of amino groups from succinylated elastin. To quantify mRNA levels of each protein, quantitative competitive-PCR and confirmatory Western blot analyses were performed on the samples for human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin K, and alpha-1 antitrypsin. RESULTS: The mean elastolytic activity in vaginal tissues from the SUI/POP group was similar to that in the control group. With respect to the proteolytic enzymes, neither human neutrophil elastase nor cathepsin K differed between the two groups. However, alpha-1 antitrypsin mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in tissues from affected women. CONCLUSIONS: A significant decrease in alpha-1 antitrypsin expression was seen in tissues from women with SUI/POP compared to controls. This data suggest that altered elastin metabolism may contribute to the connective tissue alterations observed in pelvic floor dysfunction. Future investigations are warranted to help define the role of elastin turnover in pelvic floor dysfunction.     

Feasibility and patient satisfaction with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence day surgery

We performed a prospective cohort study to characterize the feasibility of urinary stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgery in day care. Two hundred and one women were prepared for day surgery by a standardised protocol; 132 women underwent a single Tension-free Vaginal Tape/Tension-free Vaginal Tape–Obturator procedure, and 69 women had additional or only pelvic organ prolapse surgery. The main outcome measures were complications, satisfaction score and recommendation to others, recorded after 3 days and 6–10 weeks. We found that it is feasible and safe to perform pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence surgery in day care. Patients’ satisfaction is high in all aspects of care and the majority would recommend it to others. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only dissatisfaction with the care provided by the staff of the surgical ward was significantly associated with a negative recommendation to others (odds ratio 7.3, 95% confidence interval 1.6–33.5).     

Occult incontinence as predictor for postoperative stress urinary incontinence following pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Introduction and hypothesis

Recommending prophylactic anti-incontinence procedures to continent women undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is controversial. We hypothesized that testing for occult incontinence before surgery using four different tests and three defined test combinations would identify individual women at risk for postoperative stress urinary incontinence (POSUI). The diagnostic accuracy of these tests and test combinations were evaluated.

Methods

We tested 137 women before and after surgery. Fisher’s exact test was used when evaluating associations between test results and outcomes. The validity of each test and test combinations was calculated.

Results

We found a statistically significant association between occult incontinence and POSUI in two tests and all test combinations. However, all tests and test combinations displayed poor performance when predicting at individual levels.

Conclusions

This study confirms a positive association between occult incontinence and POSUI. Occult incontinence does not, however, adequately identify individual women in need of prophylactic anti-incontinence surgery when undergoing POP repair.     

Colorectal and anal symptoms in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis  

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of colorectal and anal (CRA) symptoms in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (UI/POP) in a predominantly Latina population.     

Lifetime risk of surgical management for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence

The objective of our study was to estimate the age-specific incidence and lifetime risk of surgically managed pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI). Women aged 20 and older who underwent primary surgical management of POP or UI in 1993 were identified from the database of a health maintenance organization using ICD-9 codes and confirmed through chart abstraction. From a population of 147,719 women, 135 were identified who underwent prolapse surgery only, 82 incontinence only, and 34 surgery for both conditions. From the age-specific incidence, we estimated the lifetime risk of undergoing an operation by age 80 to be 11.8%. Our findings agree with a previous estimate that ∼11% of women will undergo surgery for POP or UI by age 80. POP and UI appear to be common problems, undoubtedly affecting an even larger proportion of the women than suggested by this high cumulative incidence of surgery.     

同期手术治疗女性压力性尿失禁与盆腔脏器脱垂的临床研究

目的 探讨同期手术治疗女性压力性尿失禁(SUI)与盆腔脏器脱垂(POP)的适应证及治疗效果.方法 回顾性总结16例同期手术治疗SUI与POP患者的病例资料,其中有SUI症状并伴有中度以上阴道前壁膨出的患者12例,主诉阴道脱出物,检查发现子宫中度以上脱垂伴排尿困难4例,术前经查体、尿动力及膀胱造影检查确诊均存在Ⅱ型SUI.盆底修补手术包括Gynemesh网片、Prolift前片及全片植入,抗尿失禁手术采用TVT或TVT-O术,术中先行盆底修补术.结果 随访6～30个月,全部患者获满意效果,达到完全控尿,同时无排尿困难发生,未发现盆底膨出复发.结论 对合并有症状或中度以上POP的SUI患者,应积极同期处理相应的POP,以免加重POP的程度或排尿困难的发生;对单独发生的POP患者,应警惕隐性SUI的可能,同期行相应的控尿手术可避免术后SUI的发生.     

Vaginal hysterectomy and risk of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence surgery

Introduction and hypothesis  

This study aims to determine the risk of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery related to mode of hysterectomy focusing on vaginal hysterectomy.     

The impact of pelvic organ prolapse on sexual function in women with urinary incontinence

The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on sexual function in women with urinary incontinence (UI). In this retrospective, case-cohort study, we reviewed the medical records of all women evaluated for UI between March and November 2003. All patients completed the short forms of the Urogenital Distress Inventory, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire. Women with stage two or greater POP, as determined by the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system, were compared to women with stage 0 or 1 POP. Sixty-nine women with POP and 47 women without POP were included. Patient demographics did not differ between the two groups. Women with POP were significantly more likely to report absence of libido (53% versus 30%, P=0.02), lack of sexual excitement during intercourse (46% versus 27%, P=0.05), and that they rarely experienced orgasm during intercourse (49% versus 30%, P=0.05). In conclusion, women with POP in addition to UI are more likely to report decreased libido, decreased sexual excitement, and difficulty achieving orgasm during intercourse when compared to women with UI alone.     

Short-term surgical outcomes and characteristics of patients with mesh complications from pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence surgery

Introduction and hypothesis

Surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) can include the use of synthetic materials. Placement of synthetic materials into the vaginal wall, through either the vagina or the abdomen, includes the risk of complications such as vaginal wall extrusion or pain. There is little data regarding outcomes following treatment of mesh complications.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent excision of mesh placed for POP or SUI between 1 January 2001 and 31 October 2012 was performed at the University of Virginia. Chart abstraction queried patient demographics, clinical history, physical examination, pre- and post-excision symptoms, and operative findings. The International Continence Society (ICS) and International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) classification system was used to define the nature and location of mesh complications.

Results

A total of 57 patients (26 mid-urethral slings, 23 transvaginal prolapse, 9 intraperitoneal prolapse) with the diagnosis of mesh extrusion into the vaginal wall were analyzed. Twenty-five (average 2.8 cases/year) original mesh surgeries occurred between January 2001 and January 2010 and 41 (average 20.5 cases/year) occurred after January 2010. The most common presenting patient complaints were chronic pelvic pain (55.9 %), dyspareunia (54.4 %), and vaginal discharge (30.9 %). At a 6-week post-operative visit, 57.3 % of patient’s symptoms were completely resolved and 14.6 % were improved.

Conclusion

Clinicians should be cognizant of the variable presentations of post-operative vaginal mesh complications. Mesh excision by experienced pelvic surgeons is an effective and safe treatment for these complications; however, a significant number of patients may have persistent symptoms following surgery.     

De novo stress urinary incontinence after pelvic organ prolapse surgery in women without occult incontinence

Introduction and hypothesis

There is a paucity of data evaluating the risk of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women with no preoperative occult SUI. We hypothesized that apical suspension procedures would have higher rates of de novo SUI.

Methods

This was a retrospective database review of women who had surgery for POP from 2003 to 2013 and developed de novo SUI at ≥6 months postoperatively. Preoperatively, all patients had a negative stress test and no evidence of occult SUI on prolapse reduction urodynamics. The primary objective was to establish the incidence of de novo SUI in women with no objective evidence of preoperative occult SUI after POP surgeries at ≥6 months.

Results

A total number of 274 patients underwent POP surgery. The overall incidence of de novo SUI was 9.9 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.14]. However, the incidence of de novo SUI in those with no baseline complaint of SUI was 4.4 % (95 % CI 0.03–0.1). There was no difference in de novo SUI rates between apical [9.7 % (n?=?57)] and nonapical [10.5 %, (n?=?217] procedures (p?=?0.8482). Multivariate logistic regression identified sacrocolpopexy [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.54, 95 % CI 1.2–14.7] and those with a baseline complaint of SUI (adjusted OR 5.1; 95 % CI 2.2–12) as risk factors for de novo SUI.

Conclusions

The incidence of de novo SUI after surgery for POP without occult SUI was 9.9 %. We recommend counseling patients about the risk of de novo SUI and offering a staged procedure.

     

Vaginal pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence: a multiprofessional survey of practice

Introduction and hypothesis

Vaginal pessaries may offer symptomatic improvement for women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or urinary incontinence (UI). This study aimed to investigate multidisciplinary perspectives on vaginal pessary use in clinical practice and to understand the service organisation of vaginal pessary care for women with these conditions.

Methods

A pretested, anonymous survey was e-mailed to members of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Association for Continence Advice and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health in the UK.

Results

A total of 678 respondents, from medical, nursing and physiotherapy professions, consented to survey participation and provided useable data (response rate 20.7 %). Doctors were significantly more likely to report involvement in pessary care than nurses or physiotherapists. Respondents were optimistic about the success of pessary treatment; however, a lower proportion reported using pessaries for UI than for prolapse. The majority of respondents used ring pessaries and shelf pessaries, most recipients were older women, and commonly an indication for fitting a pessary was that the woman was unfit for surgery. More than 15 % of respondents providing pessary care had not received training. Follow-up services for women with pessaries varied considerably.

Conclusions

The variation in pessary care delivery and organisation requires further study in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. The development of nurse- or physiotherapist-led models of care may be appropriate, but the effectiveness of such models requires testing. Furthermore, to potentially improve outcomes of pessary care, a greater understanding of the availability, content and process of training may be warranted.     

Vaginal pessaries in managing women with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence: patient characteristics and factors contributing to success

Objective: An aging population has resulted in higher prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This study examines a nurse-run clinic and analyzes the factors contributing to successful pessary use. Study design: A retrospective chart review of 1,216 patients was completed. History, pelvic examination and pessary fitting was done. Data was analyzed utilizing a categorical model of maximum-likelihood estimation to investigate relationships. Results: Median patient age was 63 years. Median number of pessaries tried was two. Eighty-five percent of post-menopausal women were on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prior to fitting. Highest success rate of 78% was in the group on both systemic and local HRT. Success rates ranged from 58% for urge incontinence to 83% for uterine prolapse. Prior vaginal surgery was a factor impacting success. In our series highest success rates for fitting were obtained with ring pessaries, ring with support, and gellhorns. Conclusions: This model is a viable, option for the conservative management of UI and POP. Local HRT plays an important role in successful pessary fitting. Complications are rare.