Clifford F. Melick

Clinical and urodynamic predictors of delayed voiding after fascia lata suburethral sling

Objective To determine the time to resumption of normal voiding after a fascia lata sling and whether any clinical, operative, or urodynamic variables predict it. Methods Between January 1993 and September 1996, 62 women underwent fascia lata suburethral sling operations for intrinsic sphincter deficiency or recurrent stress incontinence. The demographic, operative, and urodynamic data of 61 of these patients were analyzed. Results The mean number of days to resumption of normal voiding was ten. Three patients (5%) developed permanent retention. Patients 65 years and older were more likely than younger patients to have prolonged catheterization (16 versus 7 days, P = .008). Women who had additional procedures voided at a mean of 15 days compared to nine days for those having slings only (P = .029). A preoperative urine flow rate less than 20 mL/sec was associated with late voiding. There was no significant relationship between preoperative voiding mechanism and voiding time. Conclusion Resumption of normal voiding occurred earlier than reported by others. Age over 65 years, additional surgical procedures, and low peak flow rates were risk factors for delayed voiding. Time to normal voiding was independent of the preoperative voiding mechanism.

Voiding dysfunction after surgery for stress incontinence: literature review and survey results.

Postoperative voiding dysfunction is a potential complication of anti-incontinence procedures. Reported rates of urethral obstruction range from 5% to 20%. There is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the appropriate evaluation and management of this distressing problem. A literature search was carried out using Medline (1966–2001) for postoperative voiding dysfunction. The key word urethrolysis was cross-referenced with surgical complications and stress urinary incontinence to identify all published English-language articles. The bibliographies of reviewed articles were searched manually. We also mailed a survey to the members of American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) regarding their management of this problem. Overall, 262 members (31.4%) responded to the survey. Success rates reported in the literature between retropubic and vaginal techniques of urethrolysis are comparable, but morbidity is lower with the vaginal approach. The success rates are equivalent with (68%) or without (74%) resuspension following transvaginal urethrolysis. The incidence of postoperative SUI is acceptably low even without resuspension of the urethra (6% for both). Results of the AUGS survey reveal that most providers favor a transvaginal approach (74%) when performing urethrolysis, and they do not routinely resupport the bladder neck (82%).

Bladder perforation during tension-free vaginal tape procedures: analysis of learning curve and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate whether rates of bladder perforation decrease with increasing surgical experience. METHODS: We performed a review of all patients undergoing a tension-free vaginal tape procedure performed by senior resident physicians under the guidance of a single surgeon. Physician experience was assessed by sequentially assigning case numbers to each procedure for each resident. For analysis of learning curve, cases were grouped in fives (ie, first five representing cases 1 to 5, second five cases 6 to 10). RESULTS: Twenty-three residents performed 278 procedures. The median number of cases performed was 13 (range 3 – 22); mean number was 12.1 (sd = ± 5.6). The rate of perforation was 34.2% (95/278, 95% confidence interval 28.8–39.9%). Age and weight were significantly associated with perforation. The cystotomy group was, on average 4.5 years younger (P = .007) and 7.86 kg (17.3 lb) lighter (P < .001). Rate of injury in the first five series was 40.9%, 30.7% in second series of five, and 25.9% in the third series of five and was statistically significant (linear-by-linear association &khgr;2 = 4.286, df = 1, P = .038). The relationship between the incidence of cystotomy and the cumulative number of cases performed was inversely correlated. As the number of cases a resident completed increased, there was a slight tendency for cystotomy to decrease (P.033). On cystoscopic examination, residents missed 35 of the 95 injuries (37%, 95% confidence interval 27.8–46.9%). CONCLUSION: A learning curve exists for tension-free vaginal tape procedures. Many injuries are missed on initial resident cystoscopic inspection, highlighting the need for comprehensive cystoscopic training during residency. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3

Leak-Point Pressure: Clinical Application of Values at Two Different Volumes

Abstract: A prospective analysis of 306 consecutive patients with genuine stress incontinence was performed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of additional leak-point pressure (LPP) determination at 200 ml. LPP values at both volumes were compared to maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) in an attempt to determine a critical cut-off value for the detection of a low MUCP (≤20 cmH2O). A positive LPP at 150 ml was found in 157 patients. The mean LPP for patients with a low MUCP was 58.5 cmH2O compared to 71.6 for those with a normal MUCP, which was statistically significant (p = 0.01). The correlation coefficient between LPP and MUCP was 0.317. A negative LPP was found in 30% (24/79) of the total having a low MUCP. The addition of values for LPP at 200 ml resulted in an increase in the number who leaked to 191, a 50% increase in the detection rate of low MUCP and a statistically significant relationship between LPP ≤60 cmH2O and low MUCP. Various critical cut-off values for LPP demonstrated good specificity but poor sensitivity for the detection of a low MUCP. It was concluded that there was a statistically significant relationship between LPP and MUCP. Performing LPP at 200 ml provides additional clinically useful diagnostic information.

The position of the urethrovesical junction after incontinence surgery: early postoperative changes

Abstract This study prospectively evaluated the position of the urethrovesical junction using the Q-tip angle to assess early postoperative changes for different anti-incontinence surgeries. All procedures resulted in a statistically significant change in resting angle from the intraoperative value. The mean change for the transvaginal tape was 25.74° (27.43 to 3.28); Burch 11.18° (−20.44 to −10.0) and fascia sling 13.9° (26.57 to 15.68). The mean change in Q-tip angle was greater after transvaginal tape placement than after Burch (p=0.000) and fascial sling (p=0.022) procedures. These findings show that the resting position of the urethrovesical junction after surgery is different for all procedures. The transvaginal tape results in the greatest change in angle. This may help to negate the so-called ‘tension-free’ nature of the procedure. Surgeons need to be aware of this, as it may be an etiological factor in cases of late urinary retention and urethral erosion.

Patients evaluated for venous disease may have other pathologic conditions contributing to symptomatology.

Of the more than 200 patients recently evaluated for venous disease, 8 were diagnosed with lower extremity masses. Three patients were referred for superficial phlebitis and four for deep venous obstructive disease. The eighth mass was found during work-up for varicose veins. Five masses were identified by palpation, and three were identified by duplex scan. All were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Of the eight masses, three were malignant: a metastatic melanoma, a histiocytoma, and a myxoid liposarcoma. Nonmalignant masses included a hematoma, an inflammatory lesion, a hemangioma, and an intramuscular lipoma. One patient presented with deep venous thrombosis secondary to an occluded popliteal artery aneurysm compressing the popliteal vein. Thus, patients presenting with ostensible venous disease may have other pathologic conditions responsible for symptomatology. Careful physical examination will reveal a mass in a majority of patients who have one. Duplex scanning will identify masses that should be confirmed by MRI or CT. Definitive diagnosis should be made by biopsy, due to the high possibility of malignancy.

Outcome of carotid endarterectomy performed at a community medical center

From 1990 to 1992 there was a 43% increase in the number of carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) performed at our institution. Not coincidentally the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial study was published in August 1991. To determine whether CEAs could be performed safely at community medical centers, records of 181 consecutive CEAs performed during a 30-month period at a suburban community medical center were reviewed. CEAs were performed by 14 surgeons: six vascular, three thoracic, and five general surgeons. Among all patients 87% had lesions with ≥70% stenosis. Seventy percent of CEAs were performed on symptomatic patients, 84% of whom had stenoses ≥70%. Among asymptomatic patients 96% had stenoses ≥70%. There were five instances of neurologic complications in the perioperative period—two transient ischemic attacks, two reversible ischemic neurologic deficits, and one permanent neurologic deficit. One patient died. The mortality rate was 0.6%, the combined major stroke/mortality rate was 1.2%, and the any stroke/mortality rate was 2.2%. There were five patients with nonfatal major complications — one with myocardial infarction, one with pulmonary edema, one with congestive heart failure, and two with postoperative arrhythmia. Thirteen minor complications included eight cases of cranial nerve dysfunction. These data demonstrate that CEAs can be performed safely at community medical centers.

Optimal waiting period for foot salvage surgery following limb revascularization

It is not clear how soon after bypass surgery tissue perfusion in the ischemic foot is adequate for healing. The purpose of this study was to determine the time interval for tissue to receive adequate oxygenation for healing following limb revascularization. Eleven patients with severe foot ischemia as defined by a transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) of 30 mm Hg or less were included in the study. TcPO2 measurements were performed prior to the lower extremity bypass and at postoperative day 1, 2, and 3. The mean preoperative value (9.27 mm Hg) was compared with the mean value at postoperative day 1 (17.73 mm Hg), postoperative day 2 (20.36 mm Hg), and postoperative day 3 (36.82 mm Hg) using paired samples t-tests. Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean preoperative TcPO2 measurement and the mean TcPO2 measurement taken on the 3rd postoperative day. The mean TcPO2 level increased from 9.27 mm Hg preoperatively to 36.82 mm Hg by the 3rd postoperative day (p = .001). There was also a statistically significant difference between the mean values on the 2nd (20.36 mm Hg) and 3rd postoperative day (36.82 mm Hg) (p = .002). Despite this finding, 5 of the 11 patients still had individual TcPO2 readings of less than 30 mm Hg on the 3rd postoperative day. Therefore, it can be concluded that in most instances tissue oxygenation reaches an adequate level after waiting at least 3 days following a bypass. Waiting 3 or more days could give adequate time for tissue reperfusion to promote healing of the surgical site.

Evaluation of the gemini infusion pump for the safe delivery of peripheral blood progenitor cells (stem cells).

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine whether the Gemini PC‐2TX infusion pump could safely deliver peripheral stem cells (PSC) for an autologous PSC transplant. For purposes of hypothesis testing, it was assumed that there would be no significant difference in CD34+ cell counts and colony‐forming units‐granulocyte, macrophage (CFU‐GM) when the PSCs were administered by an IMED PC‐2TX infusion pump as opposed to an intravenous push method. The American Red Cross collected 50‐ml samples of PSCs from four donors by apheresis. These cells were tested for CD34+ using flow cytometry and for functional progenitor cells using a CFU‐GM assay. The cells were cryopreserved after testing. For our study, samples were tested simultaneously at a single facility. Each sample was individually thawed and a baseline thaw sample collected; 10 ml of the donor specimen was pushed through a syringe into a specimen container (intravenous push sample). The remainder of the specimen was infused through the IMED Gemini PC‐2TX pump into a specimen container (intravenous pump sample). All samples were assayed for CD34+ cell counts and CFU‐GM. Data analyses were conducted using the t‐test for paired samples, with values of P < 0.05 considered significant. Results failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the CD34+ or CFU‐GM results of the intravenous push and intravenous pump specimens. Additionally, we failed to find a statistically significant difference when we compared the intravenous push and the intravenous pump specimens with the baseline thaw sample. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the Gemini PC‐2TX infusion pump can safely deliver PSCs for the purposes of stem cell transplantation. J. Cell. Apheresis 13:23–27, 1998.

Bladder perforation during tension-free vaginal tape procedures: abdominal versus vaginal approach.

Objective Bladder perforation rates for the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) are higher with inexperienced surgeons. The purpose of this study was to examine if surgical approach affects this rate. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing a TVT as the sole procedure. All cases were performed by senior residents using 2 different surgical approaches—vaginal or abdominal trocar passage. Power analysis indicated that 103 patients in each group (vaginal and abdominal approach) were required to demonstrate a 50% reduction in perforation rates. Results The rate of perforation was 37.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.5%–47.3%) for the vaginal compared with 6.8% (95% CI, 1.9%–11.7%) for the abdominal technique (P < 0.001). The relative risk that the abdominal technique results in bladder injury compared with the original transvaginal was 0.18 (95% CI, 0.08–0.38). Conclusions Bladder perforation occurs significantly less frequently with abdominal needle placement for the TVT procedure. We recommend this technique to less experienced surgeons.