Patrick Dällenbach

Risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse repair after hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence and identify the risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse repair after hysterectomy. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study. We identified 6,214 women who underwent hysterectomy in our gynecology department from 1982 to 2002. Cases (n=114) were women who required pelvic organ prolapse surgery after hysterectomy from January 1982 through December 2005. Controls (n=236) were women randomly selected from the same cohort who did not require pelvic organ surgery during the same period. We performed a univariable and a multivariable analysis among 104 cases and 190 controls to identify the variables associated with prolapse repair after hysterectomy. RESULTS: The incidence of pelvic organ prolapse that required surgical correction after hysterectomy was 1.3 per 1,000 women-years. The risk of prolapse repair was 4.7 times higher in women whose initial hysterectomy was indicated by prolapse and 8.0 times higher if preoperative prolapse grade 2 or more was present. Risk factors included preoperative prolapse grade 2 or more (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 12.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6–34.7), previous pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence surgery (adjusted OR 7.9, 95% CI 1.3–48.2), history of vaginal delivery (adjusted OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.3–19.7), and sexual activity (adjusted OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.7–14.5). Vaginal hysterectomy was not a risk factor when preoperative prolapse was taken into account (adjusted OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–1.1). CONCLUSION: Preoperative pelvic organ prolapse and other factors related to pelvic floor weakness were significantly associated with subsequent pelvic floor repair after hysterectomy. Vaginal hysterectomy was not a risk factor. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II

Incidence rate and risk factors for vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy

Our objective was to estimate the incidence and identify the risk factors for vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy. We conducted a case control study among 6,214 women who underwent hysterectomy from 1982 to 2002. Cases (n = 32) were women who required vaginal vault suspension following the hysterectomy through December 2005. Controls (n = 236) were women, randomly selected from the same cohort, who did not require pelvic organ prolapse surgery. The incidence of vaginal vault prolapse repair was 0.36 per 1,000 women-years. The cumulative incidence was 0.5%. Risk factors included preoperative prolapse (odds ratio (OR) 6.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–28.4) and sexual activity (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0–1.5). Vaginal hysterectomy was not a risk factor when preoperative prolapse was taken into account (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.5–1.8).Vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy is an infrequent event and is due to preexisting weakness of pelvic tissues.

Incidence and risk factors for reoperation of surgically treated pelvic organ prolapse

Introduction and hypothesisThe objective of our study was to estimate the incidence and to identify the risk factors for reoperation of surgically treated pelvic organ prolapse (POP).MethodsWe conducted a nested case–control study among 1,811 women who underwent POP surgery from January 1988 to June 2007. Cases (n = 102) were women who required reoperation for POP following the first intervention through December 2008. Controls (n = 226) were women randomly selected from the same cohort who did not require reoperation.ResultsThe incidence of POP reoperation was 5.1 per 1,000 women-years. The cumulative incidence was 5.6%. Risk factors included preoperative prolapse in more than two vaginal compartments (adjusted OR 5.2; 95% CI 2.8–9.7), history of surgery for POP and/or urinary incontinence (adjusted OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.5–7.1), and sexual activity (adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0–3.7).ConclusionsThe risk of POP reoperation is relatively low and is associated with preexisting weakness of pelvic tissues.

To mesh or not to mesh: a review of pelvic organ reconstructive surgery

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major health issue with a lifetime risk of undergoing at least one surgical intervention estimated at close to 10%. In the 1990s, the risk of reoperation after primary standard vaginal procedure was estimated to be as high as 30% to 50%. In order to reduce the risk of relapse, gynecological surgeons started to use mesh implants in pelvic organ reconstructive surgery with the emergence of new complications. Recent studies have nevertheless shown that the risk of POP recurrence requiring reoperation is lower than previously estimated, being closer to 10% rather than 30%. The development of mesh surgery – actively promoted by the marketing industry – was tremendous during the past decade, and preceded any studies supporting its benefit for our patients. Randomized trials comparing the use of mesh to native tissue repair in POP surgery have now shown better anatomical but similar functional outcomes, and meshes are associated with more complications, in particular for transvaginal mesh implants. POP is not a life-threatening condition, but a functional problem that impairs quality of life for women. The old adage “primum non nocere” is particularly appropriate when dealing with this condition which requires no treatment when asymptomatic. It is currently admitted that a certain degree of POP is physiological with aging when situated above the landmark of the hymen. Treatment should be individualized and the use of mesh needs to be selective and appropriate. Mesh implants are probably an important tool in pelvic reconstructive surgery, but the ideal implant has yet to be found. The indications for its use still require caution and discernment. This review explores the reasons behind the introduction of mesh augmentation in POP surgery, and aims to clarify the risks, benefits, and the recognized indications for its use.

Urinary incontinence as a marker of higher mortality in patients receiving home care services

To evaluate urinary incontinence (UI) as a predictor of nursing home admission, hospitalization or death in patients receiving home care services.

Overactive bladder after female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) type III

A 27-year-old Somali woman with type III a–b female genital mutilation/cutting, consulted because of slow micturition, voiding efforts, urgency and urge incontinence (overactive bladder). She also referred primary dysmenorrhoea and superficial dyspareunia making complete sexual intercourses impossible. We treated her by defibulation and biofeedback re-educative therapy. We also offered a multidisciplinary counselling. At 5 months follow-up, urgency and urge incontinence had resolved and she became pregnant.

Urinary Incontinence as a Predictor of Death: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background The association between urinary incontinence (UI) and increased mortality remains controversial. The objective of our study was to evaluate if this association exists. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies comparing death rates among patients suffering from UI to those without incontinence. We searched in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane library using specific keywords. Studies exploring the post-stroke period were excluded. Hazard ratios (HR) were pooled using models with random effects. We stratified UI by gender and by UI severity and pooled all models with adjustment for confounding variables. Results Thirty-eight studies were retrieved. When compared to non-urinary incontinent participants, UI was associated with an increase in mortality with pooled non adjusted HR of 2.22 (95%CI 1.77–2.78). The risk increased with UI severity: 1.24 (95%CI: 0.79–1.97) for light, 1.71 (95%CI: 1.26–2.31) for moderate, and 2.72 (95%CI: 1.90–3.87) for severe UI respectively. When pooling adjusted measures of association, the resulting HR was 1.27 (95%CI: 1.13–1.42) and increased progressively for light, moderate and severe UI: 1.07 (95%CI: 0.79–1.44), 1.25 (95%CI: 0.99–1.58), and 1.47 (95%CI: 1.03–2.10) respectively. There was no difference between genders. Conclusion UI is a predictor of higher mortality in the general and particularly in the geriatric population. The association increases with the severity of UI and persists when pooling models adjusted for confounders. It is unclear if this association is causative or just reflects an impaired general health condition. As in most meta-analyses of observational studies, methodological issues should be considered when interpreting results.

Laparoendoscopic single-site supracervical hysterectomy with endocervical resection.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery is an attempt to enhance cosmetic benefits and reduce morbidity of minimally invasive surgery. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy through single-port access has been reported. Supracervical hysterectomy is an alternative to total hysterectomy but requires morcellation, which is challenging through a single umbilical incision. Herein we report and illustrate with a video supracervical hysterectomy performed via single-site laparoscopic surgery with transcervical morcellation after endocervical resection.

Urinary incontinence as a predictor of death after new-onset stroke: a meta-analysis

Urinary incontinence (UI) could be an indicator of increased mortality after new‐onset stroke. The aim of the present meta‐analysis was to characterize this association.

Robotic single-site combined cholecystectomy and hysterectomy: Advantages and limits

Highlights • Development of single-site port robotic devices represents a substantial evolution.• Combined cholecystectomy and total hysterectomy using the da Vinci Si single-port platform is feasible.• Technical development is required to improve single site combined surgery.