Mallika Anand

Estrogen affects the glycosaminoglycan layer of the murine bladder.

Objectives Urinary tract infections (UTIs), commonly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), confer significant morbidity among postmenopausal women. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) comprise the first line of defense at the bladder’s luminal surface. Our objective was to use a murine model of menopause to determine whether estrogen status affects the GAG layer in response to UPEC infection. Methods Adult female mice underwent sham surgery (SHAM, n = 18) or oophorectomy (OVX, n = 66) to establish a murine model of menopause. A subset of oophorectomized mice underwent hormone therapy (HT, n = 33) with 17&bgr;-estradiol. Mice were inoculated with UPEC and killed at various time points; bladders were collected and GAG layer thickness was assessed in multiple bladder sections. Sixteen measurements were made per bladder. A repeated-measures 2-way analysis of variance was performed to determine the effect of time after infection and hormonal condition on GAG thickness. We also investigated the molecular underpinnings of GAG biosynthesis in response to alterations in estrogen status and infection. Results We did not observe significant difference of GAG thickness among the 3 hormonal conditions; however, the time course of GAG thickness was significantly different (P < 0.05). The OVX mice demonstrated significantly greater thickness at 72 hours after infection (P = 0.0001), and this effect was shifted earlier (24 hours after infection) on the addition of HT (P = 0.001). At 2 to 4 weeks after infection, GAG thickness among all cohorts was not significantly different from baseline. In addition, quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that GAG biosynthesis is altered by estrogen status at basal level and on infection. Conclusions The GAG layer is dynamically altered during the course of UTI. Our data show that HT positively regulates GAG layer thickness over time, as well as the composition of the GAGs. In addition, the GAG sulfation status can be influenced by estrogen levels in response to UPEC infection. The protective effects of the GAG layer in UTI may represent pharmacologic targets for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal UTI.

Female genital mutilation reversal: a general approach.

Introduction and hypothesisFemale genital mutilation (FGM) is a violation of human rights; yet, more than 100 million females are estimated to have undergone the procedure worldwide. There is an increased need for physician education in treating FGM. Female pelvic surgeons have a unique opportunity to treat this population of patients. Here, we depict the classification of FGM and a general approach to FGM reversal. We specifically address the procedure of type III FGM reversal, or defibulation.MethodsIn this video, we first highlight the importance of the problem of FGM. Next, we present the classification of FGM using an original, simple, schematic diagram highlighting they key anatomic structures involved in the four types of FGM. We then present a simple case of reversal of type III FGM, a procedure also known as defibulation. After depicting the surgical procedure, we discuss clinical results and summarize key principles of the defibulation procedure.ResultsOur patient was a 25-year-old woman who had undergone type III FGM as a child in Somalia. She desired restoration of vaginal function. We performed a reversal, and her postoperative course was uncomplicated. By 6 weeks postoperatively, she was able to engage in sexual intercourse without dyspareunia.ConclusionFGM is a problem at the doorsteps of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Our video demonstrates a basic surgical approach that can be applied to simple cases of type III FGM presenting to the female pelvic surgeon.

Factors Influencing Selection of Vaginal, Open Abdominal, or Robotic Surgery to Treat Apical Vaginal Vault Prolapse.

Objectives This study aimed to determine factors influencing the selection of Mayo-McCall culdoplasty (MMC), open abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC), or robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Methods We retrospectively searched for the records of patients undergoing posthysterectomy apical vaginal prolapse surgery between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2012, at our institution. Baseline characteristics and explicit selection factors were abstracted from the electronic medical records. Factors were compared between groups using &khgr;2 tests for categorical variables, analysis of variance for continuous variables, and Kruskal-Wallis tests for ordinal variables. Results Among the 512 patients identified who met inclusion criteria, the MMC group (n = 174) had more patients who were older, had American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3+ or greater, had anterior vaginal prolapse grade 3+, desired to avoid abdominal surgery, and did not desire a functional vagina. Patients in the ASC (n = 237) and RSC (n = 101) groups had more failed prolapse surgeries, suspected abdominopelvic pathologic processes, and chronic pain. Advanced prolapse was more frequently cited as an explicit selection factor for ASC than for either MMC or RSC. Conclusions The most common factors that influenced the type of apical vaginal vault prolapse surgery overlapped with characteristics that differed at baseline. In general, MMC was chosen for advanced anterior vaginal prolapse and baseline characteristics that increased surgical risks, ASC for advanced apical prolapse, and ASC or RSC for recurrent prolapse, suspected abdominal pathology, and patients with chronic pain or lifestyles including heavy lifting. Thus, efforts should be made to attempt to control for selection bias when comparing these procedures.

Outcomes of Robotic Sacrocolpopexy Using Only Absorbable Suture for Mesh Fixation.

Objective The optimal suture selection for mesh attachment during robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) is currently unknown. Here, we sought to evaluate the outcomes of RSC using absorbable sutures for vaginal and sacral mesh attachment. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 132 RSC surgeries that were performed for vaginal vault prolapse in the Division of Gynecologic Surgery at our institution from February 2007 to December 2013. All cases were performed with absorbable suture (polyglactin) for vaginal and sacral mesh fixation. Sacrocolpopexy failure was defined as patients undergoing either repeat prolapse surgery or pessary use for recurrent prolapse. The durability of RSC was assessed via Kaplan-Meier method. Results The median age at surgery was 61.1 years (interquartile range [IQR], 55.6–68.2) and the median length of postoperative follow-up was 33 months (IQR, 15.7–57). The median body mass index was 26.5 kg/m2 (IQR, 24.3–29.7). During follow-up, 10 patients underwent prolapse retreatment. There were 2 apical recurrences, 4 distal anterior recurrences, 2 posterior recurrences, and, in 2 cases, the location was unknown. One apical recurrence was confirmed to be secondary to detachment of the mesh from the sacral promontory. Among those with recurrence, the median time to recurrence was 15.5 months (IQR, 4.22–35.9). Overall, the 1-year and 3-year freedom from repeat surgery rates were 96% and 93%, respectively. Conclusions With a median follow-up of 33 months, the use of absorbable suture for both vaginal and sacral attachments during RSC is effective. Further studies evaluating suture selection and mesh attachment techniques for RSC are needed.

Vesicosacrofistulization after robotically assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

Diskitis after sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse has been increasingly reported in the literature. We present a case of vesicosacrofistulization resulting in diskitis and osteomyelitis after robotically assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy performed at an outside institution. A 70-year-old woman with uterovaginal prolapse and stress urinary incontinence underwent robotic supracervical hysterectomy with sacrocolpopexy and transobturator sling placement at an outside hospital. Postoperatively, she had recurrent urinary tract infections; by 3 months postoperatively, fevers and leg and back pain had developed. She was given a diagnosis of L5-S1 spondylodiskitis. After 3.5 weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy failed, further evaluation revealed a fistulous tract to the sacrum. She was transferred to our institution and underwent sacrocolpopexy mesh removal, L5-S1 debridement, antibiotic treatment, and physical therapy. One year after this repair surgery, she has returned to her usual activities with no current symptoms of infection, prolapse, urinary incontinence, or back pain. Vesicosacrofistulization is a serious complication of sacrocolpopexy that can result in diskitis and osteomyelitis. Prevention involves avoiding placing mesh on the bladder and at the L5-S1 disk space during open or minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy. A high index of suspicion for diskitis, even several months after surgery, should be maintained to expedite evaluation. If fistulization of pelvic structures to the sacrum is suspected, a multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment approach should be considered to optimize patient care.

Perioperative Complications and Cost of Vaginal, Open Abdominal, and Robotic Surgery for Apical Vaginal Vault Prolapse

Objectives To determine the rate of perioperative complications and cost associated with Mayo-McCall culdoplasty (MMC), open abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC), and robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Methods We retrospectively searched for the records of patients undergoing posthysterectomy apical vaginal prolapse surgery (MMC, ASC, or RSC) between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2012, at our institution. For all patients identified, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, and inpatient costs to patients were abstracted from the medical records and compared by procedure. Inverse–probability-of-procedure weighting using propensity scores was used to obtain less-biased comparisons of outcomes between procedures. Results A total of 512 patients met the inclusion criteria (174 MMC, 237 ASC, and 101 RSC). Using inverse-probability weighting, the MMC group had a significantly lower intraoperative complication rate (3.3% vs 11.6% for ASC, 3.4% vs 24.1% for RSC), median operative time (94 vs 217 min for ASC, 100 vs 228 min for RSC), and median cost (US

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

8,776 vs

Symptom Relief and Retreatment After Vaginal, Open, or Robotic Surgery for Apical Vaginal Prolapse.

12,695 for ASC, US

Urogynecology digest: Presented by Mallika Anand.

8,773 vs

Perioperative complications of robotic sacrocolpopexy for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

13,107 for RSC) than the ASC and RSC groups (all P < 0.01). In addition, the MMC group had significantly fewer postoperative grade 3+ complications than the RSC group (1.1% vs 9.4%, P < 0.01). Conclusions In the treatment of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse, MMC is associated with decreased non–urinary tract infection, less perioperative morbidity, and lower cost to patients compared with sacrocolpopexy.