James C. Forde

Association Between the Amount of Vaginal Mesh Used With Mesh Erosions and Repeated Surgery After Repairing Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence

Importance Mesh, a synthetic graft, has been used in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) to augment and strengthen weakened tissue. Polypropylene mesh has come under scrutiny by the US Food and Drug Administration. Objective To examine the rates of mesh complications and invasive reintervention after the placement of vaginal mesh for POP repair or SUI surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants This investigation was an observational cohort study at inpatient and ambulatory surgery settings in New York State. Participants were women who underwent transvaginal repair for POP or SUI with mesh between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012, and were followed up through December 31, 2013. They were divided into the following 4 groups based on the amount of mesh exposure: transvaginal POP repair surgery with mesh and concurrent sling use (vaginal mesh plus sling group), transvaginal POP repair with mesh and no concurrent sling use (vaginal mesh group), transvaginal POP repair without mesh but concurrent sling use for SUI (POP sling group), and sling for SUI alone (SUI sling group). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the occurrence of mesh complications and repeated invasive intervention within 1 year after the initial mesh implantation. A time-to-event analysis was performed to examine the occurrence of mesh erosions and subsequent reintervention. Secondary analyses of an age association (<65 vs ≥65 years) were conducted. Results The study identified 41 604 women who underwent 1 of the 4 procedures. The mean (SD) age of women at their initial mesh implantation was 56.2 (13.0) years. The highest risk of erosions was found in the vaginal mesh plus sling group (2.72%; 95% CI, 2.31%-3.21%) and the lowest in the SUI sling group (1.57%; 95% CI, 1.41%-1.74%). The risk of repeated surgery with concomitant erosion diagnosis was also the highest in the vaginal mesh plus sling group (2.13%; 95% CI, 1.76%-2.56%) and the lowest in the SUI sling group (1.16%; 95% CI, 1.03%-1.31%). Conclusions and Relevance The combined use of POP mesh and SUI mesh sling was associated with the highest erosion and repeated intervention risk, while mesh sling alone had the lowest erosion and repeated intervention risk. There is evidence for a dose-response relationship between the amount of mesh used and subsequent mesh erosions, complications, and invasive repeated intervention.

The concomitant use of fesoterodine and topical vaginal estrogen in the management of overactive bladder and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the combination effect of anti-muscarinic medication and topical vaginal estrogen in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and female sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. Study design After IRB approval, 23 female subjects who met the entry criteria were randomized into two groups: (1) fesoterodine (Toviaz®, Pfizer, NY) with topical vaginal estrogen (Premarin®, Pfizer, NY) once daily or (2) fesoterodine once daily alone. If 4 mg fesoterodine was tolerated at 1-week, the dose was increased to 8 mg. Main outcome measures Primary endpoints were improvement in OAB symptom severity (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire, OAB-Q SF), improvement in OAB health-related quality of life (HRQL) (OAB-Q SF), and sexual function (Sexual Quality of Life–Female, SQOL-F) after 12 weeks. Secondary endpoint was change in total number of micturitions. Results After 12-weeks, the combination group had a significant improvement in OAB symptom severity (p = 0.006), HRQL (p = 0.029), and SQOL-F (0.0003). The fesoterodine alone group also had significant improvement in OAB symptom severity (p < 0.0001), HRQL (p = 0.0002), and SQOL-F (p = 0.02). When compared directly to the fesoterodine alone group, the combination group after 12-weeks had a reduced OAB symptom severity (10 versus 23.3; p = 0.35), higher HRQL (96.9 versus 84.6; p = 0.75), and higher SQOL-F (99 versus 81; p = 0.098). The total number of micturitions over 3 d was significantly reduced in the combination group (45–26, p = 0.03) between baseline and 12-weeks. Conclusions The combined effect of fesoterodine and topical vaginal estrogen improved OAB symptoms and sexual function in postmenopausal women.

Urogynecological conditions associated with overactive bladder symptoms in women

INTRODUCTION Overactive bladder symptoms (OAB) affect 9-43% of women and are associated with underlying disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study is to identify urogynecological conditions associated with OAB symptoms. METHODS This prospective, institutional review board-approved study included women referred to a tertiary centre with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). All women completed the self-administered OAB questionnaire (OABSS). Those with an OABSS ≥8, the cutoff, were considered to have OAB symptoms. Patients underwent a history and physical examination (including Baden-Walker prolapse grading and stress test), 24-hour voiding diary, pad test (for urinary incontinence), urinalysis, and uroflow with post-void residual volume. Patients were classified clinically into the following: idiopathic OAB, SUI, POP, bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) neurogenic bladder (NGB), recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), and miscellaneous. RESULTS In total, 148 women met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 67 years. Only 27% had no comorbid conditions and were considered idiopathic OAB. Associated urogynecological conditions included SUI in 37%, POP in 26%, miscellaneous conditions in 18%, recurrent UTI in 11%, NGB in 9%, and BOO in 8%. Some patients met criteria for more than one category, thus the total is greater than 100%. CONCLUSIONS In a tertiary care setting, a significant proportion of women with OAB symptoms have underlying conditions that may cause or contribute to their symptoms. Appropriate evaluation is desirable to enhance our understanding of the relationship of these conditions to the diagnosis, treatment, outcomes, and pathophysiology of OAB.

A simple football injury leading to a grade 4 renal trauma.

This case highlights the need for cautious management and serial regular examination of trauma patients. A 22-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department 4 h following an injury sustained during football training. He complained of the immediate onset of severe left upper quadrant and left flank pain. He subsequently developed frank haematuria. On initial review, he was haemodynamically stable. CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed a grade 4 renal trauma. Over the following 36 h, he remained haemodynamically stable. On serial abdominal examinations however, he developed a rigid abdomen and was noted to have a haemoglobin drop. Interval CT scan showed a progression of his injury and the presence of a haemoperitoneum. An emergency laparotomy was performed resulting in a left nephrectomy. He made an uneventful recovery.

Trends in Ambulatory Management of Urinary Incontinence in Women in the United States

Objectives Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition, but despite the availability of guidelines, variations exist in the care of patients. We sought to assess the changes in assessment and management of women with UI over time in the United States. Methods The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey are annual surveys from a nationally representative sample of visits to physicians. From 1999 through 2010, we identified visits by women to physicians where the chief complaint was UI using reason-for-visit and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Results Using 2-year intervals between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010, the number of visits by women with UI to physicians increased (5.3 million to 6.8 million). There was no difference in patient age, race/ethnicity, or physician specialty (primary care, urology, gynecology). The majority did not have their incontinence characterized (42.4%–47.4%). The use of urinalysis significantly decreased (53%–37.2%, P = 0.02), whereas antimuscarinic use significantly increased (16.7%–35%, P = 0.006). There was an overall increased trend in number of referrals to another physician (5.8%–14.7%, P = 0.06). Urologists had a significant increase in antimuscarinic use (23.5%–44.2%, P = 0.003). All physician specialties demonstrated a decreased trend in use of urinalysis between 1999 and 2010. Although imaging rates were low, they were at highest rates among urologists. Conclusions The majority of women do not have the type of UI characterized, whereas there is underutilization of urinalysis. Given the widespread prevalence of UI and its implications on quality of life, greater adherence to guidelines is warranted.

Filling the void: a case of sepsis following the injection of a penile bulking agent.

Many cosmetic procedures are now performed by non-medical personnel. Owing to the wide coverage of aesthetic procedures by the media, patients may be less informed of the serious complications that can be seen when impure materials are injected by less-skilled practitioners. The authors present a case of sepsis following the injection of a non-medical grade penile bulking agent. Although penile augmentation is under-reported in the literature, public interest in such procedures is increasing. The growing demand for such procedures needs to be addressed by the medical community.

Metastatic seminoma presenting as flank pain

Seminoma is the most common single histological sub-type of testicular carcinoma. Patients usually present with a painless lump and stage I disease. We describe a case of an incidental meta-static seminoma in a 28-year-old man post-renal trauma with a dramatically elevated β-human chorionic gonadotropin (βHCG). His βHCG level has returned to normal post-orchidectomy and chemotherapy.

Medical Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Abstract Traditionally, the standard medical treatment options for male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were α1-antagonists, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or a combination of both pharmacological agents. New agents include selective α1-antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and antimuscarinic agents, which are known for managing symptomatic male LUTS due to BPH. This chapter provides an overview on medical therapy for symptomatic LUTS due to BPH.

Monopolar Transurethral Resection of Prostate

Abstract Monopolar transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is the primary surgical treatment option for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Herein, perioperative considerations, surgical techniques, and complications associated with monopolar TURP are reviewed. We also discuss short- and long-term clinical outcomes and compare its efficacy with other emerging technologies. A literature search for English language publications using the PubMed and Embase databases was performed. Keywords included “monopolar” and “TURP.” A total of 191 articles were analyzed, of which 46 were suitable for analysis based on clinical relevance and importance of content. No other medical or surgical intervention has surpassed monopolar TURP in terms of symptomatic improvement and durability for treating men with LUTS due to BPH. Furthermore, recent developments in anesthesia and advances in surgical instrumentation have ensured that monopolar TURP remains the reference urological procedure for patients with voiding LUTS. Although recently developed technologies such as bipolar TURP and laser enucleation of the prostate demonstrate favorable perioperative outcomes; robust long-term follow-up data are lacking. Therefore, monopolar TURP will continue to remain as the reference surgical procedure for treating men with voiding LUTS due to BPH as it has proven long-lasting improvement of patient symptoms with a low reoperation rate.

Perioperative Management of New Oral Anticoagulants in Urological Surgery

New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly replacing the use of warfarin in clinical practice. Their use has now also been extended to thromboprophylaxis in many orthopedic surgeries. This, in addition to an increasingly aging population with many complex comorbidities means that these medications will be ever more frequently encountered by urologists. Thus, a clear understanding of the mechanism of action of NOACs, their time to peak action and half-life is essential for the purpose of managing these patients perioperatively. This article demonstrates the patient and procedural variability that must be taken into account in the perioperative management of the anticoagulated patient. While the time to peak onset and half-life of NOACs can aid in determining the interval of interruption of anticoagulation, the risks of thrombosis and bleeding must be assessed before the decision to stop anticoagulation. This article takes into account the evidence available on NOACs in urological surgery in order to inform the perioperative management of these medications and to propose guidelines to aid in clinical decision making. In attempting this, we address the issue of the lack of high-level evidence surrounding NOACs in urological surgery given their relative novelty and the need for further research to better guide practice.