Elizabeth R. Casiano

The learning curve of robotic hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learning curve of robotic hysterectomy using objective, patient-centered outcomes and analytic methods proposed in the literature. METHODS: All cases of robotic hysterectomy performed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009, were collected. Experience was analyzed in 6-month periods. Operative time, complications, and length of stay longer than 1 day were compared between periods for significant change. For learning curve analysis, standard and risk-adjusted cumulative summation charting was used for the two most experienced robotic surgeons (A and B). Outcomes of interest were intraoperative complications and intraoperative or postoperative complications within 6 weeks. Proficiency was defined as the point at which each surgeons curve crossed H0 based on complication rates of abdominal hysterectomy. Cumulative summation parameters were p0=5.7% and p1=11.4% for outcome 1 and p0=36.0% and p1=50% for outcome 2. RESULTS: In 325 cases, operative time decreased significantly from 3.5 to 2.7 hours during the 3-year period. The proportion of patients with length of stay longer than 1 day decreased significantly from 49.2% to 14.7%. Complications did not decrease significantly. The average number of procedures to cross H0 was 91 for outcome 1 and 44 for outcome 2. Observed cumulative summation curves of surgeons A and B differed from the average number of attempts calculated from p0 and p1. CONCLUSIONS: Operative time and length of stay decrease with 36 months of experience with robotic hysterectomy, whereas complications may not. Cumulative summation analysis provides an objective, individualized tool to evaluate surgical proficiency and suggests this occurs after performing approximately 91 procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Mesh Sacrocolpopexy Compared With Native Tissue Vaginal Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review outcomes after mesh sacrocolpopexy compared with native tissue vaginal repairs in women with apical prolapse. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov through June 4, 2012. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: For anatomic and functional analyses, we included studies comparing mesh sacrocolpopexy to native tissue vaginal repairs with at least 6 months follow-up. The primary outcome was anatomic “success” after surgery. Secondary outcomes were reoperation and symptom outcomes. We included large case series and comparative studies with shorter follow-up to increase power for adverse event analyses. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Evidence quality was assessed with the Grades for Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Meta-analyses were performed when at least three studies reported the same outcome. We included 13 comparative studies for anatomic success, reoperation, and symptom outcomes. Moderate-quality evidence supports improved anatomic outcomes after mesh sacrocolpopexy; very low-quality evidence shows no differences in reoperation between sacrocolpopexy and native tissue vaginal repairs. Evidence was insufficient regarding which procedures result in improved bladder or bowel symptoms. Low-quality evidence showed no differences in postoperative sexual function. Adverse event data were compiled and meta-analyzed from 79 studies. When including larger noncomparative studies, ileus or small bowel obstruction (2.7% compared with 0.2%, P<.01), mesh or suture complications (4.2% compared with 0.4%, P<.01), and thromboembolic phenomena (0.6% compared with 0.1%, P=.03) were more common after mesh sacrocolpopexy compared with native tissue vaginal repairs. CONCLUSION: When anatomic durability is a priority, we suggest that mesh sacrocolpopexy may be the preferred surgical option. When minimizing adverse events or reoperation is the priority, there is no strong evidence supporting one approach over the other.

Nonsurgical management of heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of nonsurgical abnormal uterine bleeding treatments for bleeding control, quality of life (QOL), pain, sexual health, patient satisfaction, additional treatments needed, and adverse events. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Cochrane databases, and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception to May 2012. We included randomized controlled trials of nonsurgical treatments for abnormal uterine bleeding presumed secondary to endometrial dysfunction and abnormal uterine bleeding presumed secondary to ovulatory dysfunction. Interventions included the levonorgestrel intrauterine system, combined oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), progestins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antifibrinolytics. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, danazol, and placebo were allowed as comparators. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently screened 5,848 citations and extracted eligible trials. Studies were assessed for quality and strength of evidence. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Twenty-six articles met inclusion criteria. For reduction of menstrual bleeding in women with abnormal uterine bleeding presumed secondary to endometrial dysfunction, the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (71–95% reduction), combined OCPs (35–69% reduction), extended cycle oral progestins (87% reduction), tranexamic acid (26–54% reduction), and NSAIDs (10–52% reduction) were all effective treatments. The levonorgestrel intrauterine system, combined OCPs, and antifibrinolytics were all superior to luteal-phase progestins (20% increase in bleeding to 67% reduction). The levonorgestrel intrauterine system was superior to combined OCPs and NSAIDs. Antifibrinolytics were superior to NSAIDs for menstrual bleeding reduction. Data were limited on other important outcomes such as QOL for women with abnormal uterine bleeding presumed secondary to endometrial dysfunction and for all outcomes for women with abnormal uterine bleeding presumed secondary to ovulatory dysfunction. CONCLUSION: For the reduction in mean blood loss in women with heavy menstrual bleeding presumed secondary to abnormal uterine bleeding presumed secondary to endometrial dysfunction, we recommend the use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system over OCPs, luteal-phase progestins, and NSAIDs. For other outcomes (QOL, pain, sexual health, patient satisfaction, additional treatments needed, and adverse events) and for treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding presumed secondary to ovulatory dysfunction, we were unable to make recommendations based on the limited available data.

Urogynecology training and practice patterns after residency

OBJECTIVE The perspective of recent graduates is important in assessing the adequacy of training and for improving clinical and surgical education. The objective of this study was to evaluate the urogynecology experience of recent Obstetrics and Gynecology residency graduates, to examine perceived and actual surgical load during and after residency, and to assess comfort level with diagnosing and treating urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. DESIGN Questionnaire assessing satisfaction with urogynecology rotation, perceived surgical load in residency, estimates of surgical procedures in current practice, and comfort level with diagnosing and treating incontinence and prolapse. SETTING University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. PARTICIPANTS Graduates from the University of Texas Southwestern Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program (1997-2006). RESULTS Fifty-five percent (82/150) responded, with most being Caucasian, female, in private practice, and practicing in the Southern part of the United States. Forty-one of seventy-six (54%) rated their urogynecology experience as either acceptable, above average or superior. The most common procedures performed in residency were cystoscopy (mean, 11.3 ± 5.2 cases per resident) and anterior (mean, 8.9 ± 4.3 cases per resident) and posterior repair (mean, 11.1 ± 5.7 cases per resident). Increasing the surgical volume was reported as the single most important factor that would have enhanced their training. In practice, midurethral slings were the most commonly performed incontinence procedures. Few were performing other urogynecologic cases in practice, except for anterior-posterior colporrhaphy and cystoscopy. Sixty-six of 70 (94%) in practice were comfortable with diagnosing prolapse and incontinence. Seventy percent and 80% estimated that less than 1 quarter of their patient population had prolapse or incontinence, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Recent graduates from this program are comfortable making the diagnosis of prolapse and incontinence. The most commonly performed surgical procedures in residency and in practice include anterior and posterior colporrhaphy and cystoscopy.

Risk of oophorectomy after hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk of subsequent oophorectomy among women who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications and those who did not. METHODS: Using Rochester Epidemiology Project resources, we compared the risk of oophorectomy through December 31, 2008, among 4,931 women in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who underwent ovary-sparing hysterectomy for benign indications (case group) between 1965 and 2002, with 4,931 age-matched women who did not undergo hysterectomy (referent group). The cumulative incidence of subsequent oophorectomy was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparisons were evaluated by Cox proportional hazard models using age as the time scale to allow for complete age adjustment. RESULTS: The median follow-up times for case group and referent group participants were 19.6 and 19.4 years, respectively. At 10, 20, and 30 years after hysterectomy, the respective cumulative incidences of subsequent oophorectomy were 3.5%, 6.2%, and 9.2% among case group participants and 1.9%, 4.8%, and 7.3% among referent group participants. The overall risk of subsequent oophorectomy among case group participants was significantly higher than among referent group participants (hazard ratio [HR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.42; P=.03). Furthermore, among case group participants, the risk of subsequent oophorectomy was significantly higher (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.51–3.07; P<.001) in women who had both ovaries preserved compared with those who initially had one ovary preserved. CONCLUSION: The incidence of oophorectomy after hysterectomy is only 9.2% at 30-year follow-up and is only 1.9 percentage points higher than the incidence of oophorectomy in referent women with intact reproductive organs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II

Patient Satisfaction After Sling Revision for Voiding Dysfunction After Sling Placement.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes after sling release for obstructive voiding after sling operation for female stress urinary incontinence. Methods All female patients who had sling release for obstructive voiding at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, from January 1, 2000, through October 31, 2008, were identified and mailed a survey including validated questions for voiding symptoms. A composite outcome for surgical success was chosen in which participants reported global improvement (at least “much better”) and complete satisfaction on a 7-point Likert scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify clinical and surgical predictors of this outcome. Results In total, 101 women were identified, of which 98 were alive at the time of mailing, and 55 women (56.1%) responded to the survey. Surgery before sling release was a synthetic midurethal sling in 62 patients and biologic sling in 39 patients. Clinical characteristics among mailing responders and nonresponders were similar aside from time from revision surgery to survey (median, 38.8 vs 54.6 months; P = 0.05). Overall, 23 (41.8%) of the 55 responding patients met the predefined criteria for surgical success. Multivariable analysis identified age younger than 60 years (odds ratio [OR], 4.22; P = 0.02), absence of overactive bladder symptoms before sling release (OR, 3.99; P = 0.04), and type of sling release (sling incision or loosening vs partial or complete excision) (OR, 3.78; P = 0.05) as predictors of success. Conclusions Of responders, 23 (41.8%) reported global improvement and satisfaction. Younger age, lack of documented overactive bladder symptoms before sling release, and performing sling release with sling incision or loosening rather than partial or complete excision were associated with better satisfaction and patient-reported improvement.

Ureteral injury during vaginal mesh excision: role of prevention and treatment options

Vaginal mesh kits are increasingly used in vaginal prolapse repair. Mesh erosion, infection, and pain may necessitate removal, which can lead to urinary tract injury. We describe 2 cases of ureteral injury at the time of mesh excision. Surgeons must recognize the possibility of ureteral injury and treatment modalities available.

Utility of intraoperative cystoscopy in detecting ureteral injury during vaginal hysterectomy.

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the utility of intraoperative cystoscopy in detecting and managing ureteral injury among women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of 593 patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy for benign indications, with or without additional pelvic floor reconstructive surgery, from January 2, 2004, through December 30, 2005. A logistic regression model determining the propensity to undergo intraoperative cystoscopy was constructed. Comparisons of ureteral injury and cost between patients with and without cystoscopy were adjusted for the cystoscopy propensity score. We further explored the feasibility of using perioperative change in creatinine level to detect ureteral injury. Results In total, 230 (38.8%) of 593 patients underwent cystoscopy. Six patients (2.6%) in the cystoscopy group and 5 (1.4%) in the no-cystoscopy group had ureteral injuries (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58–6.36). This association was further attenuated after adjusting for the propensity to undergo cystoscopy (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.19–9.09). Four injuries detected cystoscopically were managed intraoperatively. Adjusted mean-predicted costs for patients undergoing cystoscopy were

Hysterectomy and perioperative morbidity in women who have undergone renal transplantation

10,686 (95% CI,

NON-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF HEAVY MENSTRUAL BLEEDING: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND PRACTICE GUIDELINES

7500–