The inter-system association between the simplified pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (S-POP) and the standard pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POPQ) in describing pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis  

The objective of this study is to determine the association between the POPQ and a simplified version of the POPQ.     

A new vaginal speculum for pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ)

The purposes of this study were to introduce a new vaginal speculum, describe the technique of using the new speculum in identifying and measuring the severity of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and present results of a pilot study comparing the new speculum to the conventional instruments used in performing POP quantification (POPQ). The new speculum has retractable upper and lower blades marked in centimeters. POPQ was performed with one instrument using the new speculum and multiple instruments performing the conventional technique. Twenty-two patients underwent POPQ—11 using the new speculum and 11 using conventional instruments. The duration of the procedure and the level of discomfort were assessed. The POPQ method using the new speculum is described. Preliminary experience with the new speculum showed that the length of examination is significantly shorter (p<0.001) and the comfort level is better than with the conventional technique (p=0.088). A new vaginal speculum with adjustable blades simplifies POPQ. Preliminary testing suggests potential savings in procedure time and reduction in patient discomfort.     

Symptoms,bother and POPQ in women referred with pelvic organ prolapse

The aim of this study was to evaluate symptoms and bother in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to compare symptoms with POP-Q grading and measurements. One hundred and ten women with POP filled in a symptom-bother questionnaire concerning frequency of mechanical, bladder, bowel and sexual problems, and a 4-point bother score. The POP was grouped grade 0-1 versus grade >or=2 in each compartment. Symptoms more than once per week were associated with a higher bother score. Mechanical symptoms, reported in 70%, were the most troublesome. Various bladder, bowel and sexual symptoms were reported in 5%-52%, 5%-39%, and 35%-57%, respectively. We concluded that symptoms from all domains were frequent and reported generally and with little relation to prolapse in a specific compartment or POP-Q value.     

A comparison of preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of patients undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pre- and intraoperative situation using the POP-Q system during optimally standardized conditions of both examinations. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective observational study, 108 women were compared. The POP-Q in the outpatient department (preoperative) was compared with the situation just prior to surgery after full anesthesia was reached (intraoperative). During the intraoperative measurement, traction with 0.5 kg force was applied on all relevant places. RESULTS: The pre- and intraoperative measurements were all significant correlated with the R-values between 0.43 and 0.85. All six points, which are measured during the POP-Q, were more prolapsed in the intra- as compared with the preoperative situation. The points Bp, C, and D were significantly more prolapsed, but for the points Aa, Ba, and Ap this was not significant. Fifteen patients were upstaged by the intraoperative measurements and five patients were downstaged in the overall POP-Q grading system. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative evaluation of the prolapse can reveal significant changes as compared with the preoperative situation. In general, the prolapse is more pronounced especially in the middle and posterior compartment.     

Validation of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system in left lateral position

Introduction and hypothesis  The purpose of this study is to examine the inter-observer reliability of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system in left lateral position. Methods  Women attending urogynaecology outpatient clinics were examined in the left lateral position using a digital examination and POP-Q. This was repeated separately by a second blinded clinician. The inter-observer agreement was calculated using the Cohen’s kappa coefficient. The POP-Q examination was then performed with a woman lying in dorsal lithotomy position. The POP-Q findings in the two positions were compared. Results  Two hundred and eighteen women were recruited. The digital examination had a moderate inter-observer reliability with a kappa value of 0.54. The POP-Q showed a high degree of reliability (0.88). There was a high degree of correlation between the POP-Q findings in left lateral and lithotomy position (rho > 0.95, p < 0.001). Conclusion  The POP-Q in the left lateral position is reliable, easy to perform, acceptable for patients, and is not a time-consuming examination.     

Multicenter inter-examiner agreement trial for the validation of simplified POPQ system

Introduction and hypothesis

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-examiner agreement of a previously described simplified pelvic organ prolapse quantification (S-POP) system in a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded fashion. Pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system??s use in daily practice is hampered due to perceived complexity and difficulty of use. The S-POP was introduced in order to make the POPQ user-friendly and increase its usage (Swift et al. in Int Urogynecol J 17(6):615?C620, 2006).

Methods

Five hundred eleven subjects underwent two separate pelvic exams in random order by two blinded examiners employing the S-POP at 12 centers around the world. Data were compared using weighted kappa statistics.

Results

The weighted kappa statistics for the inter-examiner reliability of the S-POP were 0.87 for the overall stage, 0.89 and 0.81 for the anterior and posterior vaginal walls, 0.82 for the apex/cuff 0.89, and 0.84 for the cervix and vaginal fornix, respectively.

Conclusion

There is an almost perfect inter-examiner agreement of the S-POP system for the overall stage and each point within the system.     

Feasibility, inter- and intra-rater reliability of physiotherapists measuring prolapse using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system

Introduction and hypothesis  

There is no agreed assessment tool for physiotherapists treating pelvic organ prolapse. This study hypothesised that pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) assessment was a feasible measure for use by physiotherapists and tested inter- and intra-rater agreement.     

Female pelvic organ prolapse using pessaries: systematic review

Introduction and hypothesis

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the impact of pessary use on the quality of life of women with pelvic organ prolapse, and to determine the satisfaction rate and rationale for discontinuation.

Methods

This review is recorded in the PROSPERO database under number CRD42015023384. The criteria for inclusion were observational study; cross section; cohort study; randomized controlled trial; study published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish; and study whose participants are women with female pelvic organ prolapse treated using a pessary. We did not include limitations on the year of publication. The criteria for exclusion included studies that did not include the topic, bibliographic or systematic reviews and articles that did not use validated questionnaires. The MeSH terms were “Pelvic Organ Prolapse AND Pessaries AND Quality of Life” OR “Pessary AND Quality of Life” OR “Pessaries”.

Results

We found 89 articles. After the final analyses, seven articles were included. All articles associated pessary use with improved quality of life, and all used only validated questionnaires. Over half of the women continued using the pessary during the follow-up with acceptable levels of satisfaction. The main rationales for discontinuation were discomfort, pain in the area, and expulsion of the device.

Conclusion

This systematic review demonstrates that the pessary can produce a positive effect on women’s quality of life and can significantly improve sexual function and body perception.

     

A review of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system in China

Introduction and hypothesis

Unified staging systems for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) have been established. We examined the application of the POP quantification (POP-Q) system in China by examining its use in scientific journal articles.

Methods

Relevant articles were identified by searching the Sinomed database using the terms: uterus prolapse, cystocele, proctocele, prolapse, and pelvic floor; limited to Chinese core journals in obstetrics and gynecology, from January 2004 to December 2014. We analyzed systems for grading POP severity and the adoption of POP-Q in different article categories and hospitals of different levels. For the last decade, with two 5-year groups (2005–2009; 2010–2014), the χ² test was used to evaluate inter-group differences.

Results

In a total of 429 articles, 331 included a staging system, 70.7% of which used POP-Q. The POP-Q system first appeared in 2004 in China, was reported in 50% of articles in 2007, and its highest use occurred in 2012 (89.5%). In 234 POP-Q system-utilizing reports, operative treatment and basic research accounted for 73.1% and 14.0% respectively. POP-Q usage increased from 2005–2009 to 2010–2014 in surgery-related articles (54.2% vs 85.2%; P = 0.000). The proportion of reports using POP-Q in level I, II, and III hospitals was 20.0%, 35.4%, and 77.8% respectively.

Conclusions

The POP-Q system, first used in 2004 in China, is now the most commonly used grading system, with surgery reports and level III hospitals accounting for the largest proportion of POP-Q applications.

     

Robot-assisted laparoscopic pectouteropexy: an alternative uterus-sparing technique for pelvic organ prolapse surgery

The aim of this video is to demonstrate the alternative technique of robot-assisted laparoscopic pectouteropexy for uterus preservation in obese patients with pelvic organ prolapse. We present the case report of a 44-year-old patient with apical pelvic organ prolapse. A pelvic examination was performed during a Valsalva maneuver in the dorsal lithotomy position and in the standing position, and the patient was diagnosed with stage III apical prolapse in accordance with the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system of the International Continence Society (POP-Q: Аа ?1, Ва 0, Вр 0, С +2). We performed the procedure, which was developed as an alternative to sacrocolpopexy or sacrouteropexy, as described by Banerjee and Noé (Arch Gynecol Obstet 284:24–28, 2011). Pectouteropexy is a new method for prolapse surgery that uses the lateral parts of the iliopectineal ligament for bilateral mesh fixation of the descended structures and provides strong apical support. We believe that robot-assisted laparoscopic pectouteropexy is a valuable alternative approach for uterus-preserving pelvic organ prolapse surgery owing to its better robot maneuverability, reduced operating time, and better visualization in obese patients.     

Treatment strategies for pelvic organ prolapse: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Introduction and hypothesis  

To compare the relative cost effectiveness of treatment decision alternatives for post-hysterectomy pelvic organ prolapse (POP).     

Family history as a risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse

The aim of this study was to determine whether a family history of prolapse and/or hernia is a risk factor for prolapse. A cohort of 458 women seeking gynecological care was classified as exposed (family history) or unexposed (without family history). We used chi2 to assess confounding and logistic regression to determine risk. Nearly half (47.3%) of the 458 participants reported a positive family history. Of these, 52.5% had prolapse. This was significantly higher than the 28.9% rate of prolapse in women without a family history (p<0.001). The crude risk ratio for family history of prolapse and/or hernia and prolapse was 1.8 (95% CI 1.4-2.3). After adjusting for vaginal deliveries, incontinence, and hysterectomy, the risk of prolapse was 1.4 (95% CI 1.2-1.8) times higher in women with a family history of prolapse and/or hernia. Heredity is a risk factor for prolapse. History taking should include both male and female family members.     

Economics of pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim was to review the economic costs associated with pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

Methods

Every 4 years and as part of the Fifth International Collaboration on Incontinence we reviewed the English-language scientific literature after searching PubMed, Medline, Cochrane library and Cochrane database of systematic reviews, published up to January 2012. Publications were classified as level 1 evidence (randomised controlled trials [RCT] or systematic reviews), level 2 (poor quality RCT, prospective cohort studies), level 3 (case series or retrospective studies) and level 4 (case reports). The highest level of evidence was utilised by the committee to make evidence based recommendations based upon the Oxford grading system. Grade A recommendation usually depends on consistent level 1 evidence. Grade B recommendation usually depends on consistent level 2 and/or 3 studies, or “majority evidence” from RCTs. Grade C recommendation usually depends on level 4 studies or “majority evidence” from level 2/3 studies or Delphi processed expert opinion. Grade D “no recommendation possible” would be used where the evidence is inadequate or conflicting and when expert opinion is delivered without a formal analytical process, such as by Delphi.

Results

The annual economic costs of pelvic organ prolapse surgeries are significant and over the next decades will grow at twice the rate of population growth because of our aging population. In a single institution study vaginal reconstructive surgery and pessary use were more cost-effective than expectant management, traditional abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) or robot-assisted sacral colpopexy (RSC; grade C). Two studies have demonstrated that ASC incurs lower inpatient costs than LSC or RSC (grade C). Data from a single RCT demonstrated the LSC to incur lower inpatient costs than RSC specifically relating to shorter operating times in the LSC group (grade B). Data from a single RCT demonstrated LSC to be a more effective cost-minimising surgery than total vaginal mesh for vaginal vault prolapse (grade B). Data from a meta-analysis of anterior vaginal compartment prolapse operations demonstrated that commercial mesh kits for anterior repair are less cost-effective than non-kit mesh and anterior colporrhaphy (grade B).

Conclusions

There is a paucity of good economic data relating to pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Transvaginal mesh surgeries have not been proven to be cost-effective. It is recommended that all randomised controlled trials relating to prolapse surgery include a formal cost analysis.