Mitchell B. Berger

Anatomy and histology of apical support: a literature review concerning cardinal and uterosacral ligaments

The objective of this work was to collect and summarize relevant literature on the anatomy, histology, and imaging of apical support of the upper vagina and the uterus provided by the cardinal (CL) and uterosacral (USL) ligaments. A literature search in English, French, and German languages was carried out with the keywords apical support, cardinal ligament, transverse cervical ligament, Mackenrodt ligament, parametrium, paracervix, retinaculum uteri, web, uterosacral ligament, and sacrouterine ligament in the PubMed database. Other relevant journal and textbook articles were sought by retrieving references cited in previous PubMed articles. Fifty references were examined in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. The USL extends from the S2 to the S4 vertebra region to the dorsal margin of the uterine cervix and/or to the upper third of the posterior vaginal wall. It has a superficial and deep component. Autonomous nerve fibers are a major constituent of the deep USL. CL is defined as a perivascular sheath with a proximal insertion around the origin of the internal iliac artery and a distal insertion on the cervix and/or vagina. It is divided into a cranial (vascular) and a caudal (neural) portions. Histologically, it contains mainly vessels, with no distinct band of connective tissue. Both the deep USL and the caudal CL are closely related to the inferior hypogastric plexus. USL and CL are visceral ligaments, with mesentery-like structures containing vessels, nerves, connective tissue, and adipose tissue.

Symptom resolution after operative management of complications from transvaginal mesh.

OBJECTIVE: Complications from transvaginal mesh placed for prolapse often require operative management. The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes of vaginal mesh removal. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients having surgery by the urogynecology group in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at our institution for a complication of transvaginal mesh placed for prolapse was performed. Demographics, presenting symptoms, surgical procedures, and postoperative symptoms were abstracted. Comparative statistics were performed using the &khgr;2 or Fisher’s exact test with significance at P<.05. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and April 2012, 90 patients had surgery for complications related to vaginal mesh and 84 had follow-up data. The most common presenting signs and symptoms were: mesh exposure, 62% (n=56); pain, 64% (n=58); and dyspareunia, 48% (n=43). During operative management, mesh erosion was encountered unexpectedly in a second area of the vagina in 5% (n=4), in the bladder in 1% (n=1), and in the bowel in 2% (n=2). After vaginal mesh removal, 51% (n=43) had resolution of all presenting symptoms. Mesh exposure was treated successfully in 95% of patients, whereas pain was only successfully treated in 51% of patients. CONCLUSION: Removal of vaginal mesh is helpful in relieving symptoms of presentation. Patients can be reassured that exposed mesh can almost always be successfully managed surgically, but pain and dyspareunia are only resolved completely in half of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Cranberry juice capsules and urinary tract infection after surgery: results of a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE The risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) among women undergoing elective gynecological surgery during which a catheter is placed is high: 10-64% following catheter removal. We conducted the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the therapeutic efficacy of cranberry juice capsules in preventing UTI after surgery. STUDY DESIGN We recruited patients from a single hospital between August 2011 and January 2013. Eligible participants were undergoing elective gynecological surgery that did not involve a fistula repair or vaginal mesh removal. One hundred sixty patients were randomized and received 2 cranberry juice capsules 2 times a day, equivalent to 2 8 ounce servings of cranberry juice, for 6 weeks after surgery or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who experienced clinically diagnosed and treated UTI with or without positive urine culture. Kaplan-Meier plots and log rank tests compared the 2 treatment groups. RESULTS The occurrence of UTI was significantly lower in the cranberry treatment group compared with the placebo group (15 of 80 [19%] vs 30 of 80 [38%]; odds ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.79; P = .008). After adjustment for known confounders, including the frequency of intermittent self-catheterization in the postoperative period, the protective effects of cranberry remained (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.94). There were no treatment differences in the incidence of adverse events, including gastrointestinal upset (56% vs 61% for cranberry vs placebo). CONCLUSION Among women undergoing elective benign gynecological surgery involving urinary catheterization, the use of cranberry extract capsules during the postoperative period reduced the rate of UTI by half.

Racial Differences in Self-Reported Healthcare Seeking and Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Community-Dwelling Women from the EPI Study

Objectives of this study are: (1) to examine the prevalence of healthcare seeking among black and white women with self‐reported urinary incontinence (UI), (2) to investigate barriers to treatment for incontinence, and (3) To investigate commonly used therapeutic modalities for UI.

Transgender Demographics: A Household Probability Sample of US Adults, 2014

OBJECTIVES To estimate the proportion of US adults who identify as transgender and to compare the demographics of the transgender and nontransgender populations. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of data from states and territories in the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System that asked about transgender status. The proportion of adults identified as transgender was calculated from affirmative and negative responses (n = 151 456). We analyzed data with a design-adjusted χ2 test. We also explored differences between male-to-female and nontransgender females and female-to-male and nontransgender males. RESULTS Transgender individuals made up 0.53% (95% confidence interval = 0.46, 0.61) of the population and were more likely to be non-White (40.0% vs 27.3%) and below the poverty line (26.0% vs 15.5%); as likely to be married (50.5% vs 47.7%), living in a rural area (28.7% vs 22.6%), and employed (54.3% vs 57.7%); and less likely to attend college (35.6% vs 56.6%) compared with nontransgender individuals. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the transgender population is a racially diverse population present across US communities. Inequalities in the education and socioeconomic status have negative implications for the health of the transgender population.

Defining patients' knowledge and perceptions of vaginal mesh surgery.

Objective Given recent government investigations and media coverage of the controversy regarding mesh surgery, we sought to define patients’ knowledge and perceptions of vaginal mesh surgery. Study Design An anonymous survey was distributed to a convenience sample of new patients at urogynecology and female urology clinics at a single medical center during April to June 2012. The survey assessed patients’ demographics, information sources, and beliefs and concerns regarding mesh surgery. The Fisher’s exact test was used to identify predictors of patients’ beliefs regarding mesh. Logistic and linear regressions were used to identify predictors of aversion to surgery and higher concern regarding future surgery. Results One hundred sixty-four women completed the survey; 62.2% (102/164) indicated knowledge of mesh surgery for prolapse and/or incontinence and were included in subsequent analyses. The mean ± SD age was 58.0 ± 12.5 years, and 24.5% reported prior mesh surgery. The most common information source was television commercials (57.8%); only 23.5% of the women reported receiving information from a medical professional. Participants indicated the following regarding vaginal mesh: class-action lawsuit in progress (55/102 [54.0%]), causes pain (47/102 [47.1%]), possibility of rejection (35/102 [34.3%]), can cause bleeding and become exposed vaginally (30/102 [29.4%]), and should be removed owing to recall (28/102 [27.5%]). Of these women, 22.1% (19/86) indicated they would not consider mesh surgery. On multivariable logistic regression, level of concern, information from friends/family, and knowledge of class-action lawsuit predicted aversion to mesh surgery. Conclusion Nearly two thirds of new patients had knowledge of vaginal mesh surgery. We identified considerable misinformation and aversion to future mesh surgery among these women.

Rates of self-reported urinary, gastrointestinal, and pain comorbidities in women with vulvar lichen sclerosus

Objective The study aimed to determine the prevalences of comorbid disorders in women with vulvar lichen sclerosus. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of self-administered questionnaires regarding the health history of 308 women with lichen sclerosus seen at a vulvar clinic between 2006 and 2011 was performed. Responses to questions about urinary (overactive bladder [OAB], urinary incontinence [UI], and stress UI), gastrointestinal (inflammatory bowel diseases, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome), thyroid dysfunction and pain (interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint disorder, and vulvar pain) disorders were collected. The percentage of subjects self-reporting each comorbidity was compared with the published prevalence in the general population using a single-value binomial test. Results Subject demographics (data presented as median [range] or percentage): age, 56.4 years (20.0–92.5); body mass index, 27.5 kg/m2 (17.4–53.1); parity 2 (0–10); white, 92.9%; and biopsy proven 65.6%. Prevalences of self-reported comorbidities in our subjects are as follows: OAB, 15.3%; UI, 38.6%; stress UI, 27.9%; inflammatory bowel diseases, 1.9%; constipation, 32.5%; irritable bowel syndrome, 19.5%; thyroid dysfunction, 33.1%; interstitial cystitis, 2.6%; fibromyalgia, 9.1%; temporomandibular joint disorder, 13.0%; and vulvar pain, 83.1%. The prevalence of each disorder is significantly different from that in the general population, with all p values ⩽ .02. Conclusions Vulvar lichen sclerosus is associated with numerous bladder, bowel, and pain comorbidities. The prevalences of all of these disorders are higher in our subjects than the general population except OAB, which we find at approximately one third of the general population. Patients with lichen sclerosus should be screened for comorbidities that may affect their health and/or quality of life.

Long-Term Patient Satisfaction With Michigan Four-Wall Sacrospinous Ligament Suspension for Prolapse

OBJECTIVE: To describe patient satisfaction after Michigan four-wall sacrospinous ligament suspension for prolapse and identify factors associated with satisfaction. METHODS: Four hundred fifty-three patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with surgery and complete validated quality-of-life instruments. Postoperative support was extracted from the medical record and assessed when possible. Factors independently associated with patients who were “highly satisfied” were identified with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent (242/392) reported how satisfied they were 8.0±1.7 years later. Fifty-seven percent had failed prior prolapse surgery, and 56% had a preoperative prolapse 4 cm or greater beyond the hymen. Ninety percent were satisfied; 76% were “completely” or “very” satisfied and they were considered “highly satisfied” for analysis. Fourteen percent reporting being “moderately” satisfied and they were considered among those “less satisfied.” Women with lower scores on the postoperative Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 were more likely to be “highly satisfied.” Postoperative anatomic data were available for 67% (162/242) and vaginal support was observed at or above the hymen in 86%. Women with preoperative Baden Walker grade 3 or 4 prolapse were more likely than those with grade 2 prolapse to be “highly satisfied.” Women with advanced postoperative prolapse (grade 3 or 4) were less likely and those with grade 2 support were as likely to be “highly satisfied” as those with grade 0 or 1 support. CONCLUSION: The Michigan four-wall sacrospinous ligament suspension is an anatomically effective approach to vault suspension with a high rate of long-term patient satisfaction. Postoperative vaginal support at the hymen does not negatively affect patient satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

See it in 3D!: Researchers examined structural links between the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments

However, important structural specifics of the cardinal ligament’s attachments and its relationship with the uterosacral ligament, as seen in MR imaging of living women, have not been fully established. We used MR cross-sectional imaging and 3-dimensional (3D) modeling to study characteristic features of the cardinal ligament. At the same time, we examined anatomicdistinctionsandstructuralrelationshipsbetweenthe cardinalanduterosacralligamentsrelevanttotheirroleinapical support.

Risk factors for venous thromboembolism after hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for venous thromboembolism after hysterectomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of data from a voluntary, statewide surgical quality improvement collaborative. Demographics and perioperative data were obtained for hysterectomies performed from January 1, 2008, to April 4, 2014. Postoperative venous thromboembolism was defined as a deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or both diagnosed within 30 days of hysterectomy. Significant variables related to postoperative venous thromboembolism were identified using bivariate analyses, and then logistic mixed modeling was used to develop a final model for venous thromboembolism. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative venous thromboembolism was 0.5% (110/20,496). Women who had a postoperative venous thromboembolism more frequently had a body mass index 35 or greater (40.0% compared with 25.2%, odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–3.56, P=.03), abdominal hysterectomy (referent nonabdominal hysterectomy; 61.8% compared with 29.9%, OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.46–4.86, P=.001), and gynecologic cancer as the indication for surgery (16.4% compared with 9.6%, OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.22–5.07, P=.01). Increasing surgical time (hours; referent 1 hour; OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.31–1.84, P<.001) was also an associated factor. In bivariate analyses, women with, compared with without, venous thromboembolism more frequently received both preoperative and postoperative heparin (31.9% compared with 15.2%, P<.001 and 55.9% compared with 33.5%, P<.001, respectively), but this did not remain significant in the final model. CONCLUSION: Body mass index 35 or greater, abdominal hysterectomy, increasing surgical time, and cancer as the indication for surgery are risk factors for venous thromboembolism after hysterectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III