Changes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptoms and Quality of Life One Year After Pessary Fitting

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descend of pelvic organs, including the uterus, bladder, and rectum, to the vaginal wall. Patients with POP may present with symptoms such as vaginal bulging with other symptoms like urinary, defecatory, or sexual dysfunction. This study was conducted to evaluate the changes of POP symptoms one year after pessary fitting. Patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse who presented to the pelvic floor clinic of an academic hospital between August 2016 and April 2019 were considered. Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, including urinary, defecatory, sexual, and bulging symptoms, were recorded before and one year after pessary fitting. Pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI)-20 and pelvic floor impact questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7) were evaluated before and after treatment for all subjects. We analyzed the characteristics of 110 patients who used the pessary for 12 months. At the baseline, the most common prolapse symptoms were vaginal bulging and pelvic pressure. All urinary, defecatory, and sexual symptoms significantly improved one year after regular pessary use (P<0.001). Changes in PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 before and after pessary use showed a significant improvement in both frequency and satisfaction of sexual function (P<0.001). The study showed significant improvement in bulging, urinary, and defecatory symptoms. Although the majority of patients were not sexually active, a significant proportion of sexually active patients reported an increase in sexual satisfaction.

Atypical vaginal location of endometriosis following repeated urogynaecological surgery

We outline a case of vaginal endometriosis in scar tissue located in the distal part of the anterior vaginal wall close to the urethra following repeated urogynaecological surgery. Our case presents a 45-year-old woman diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis in her youth. She underwent several vaginal surgeries due to pelvic organ prolapse, symptoms of stress incontinence and decreased urinary flow. One year after her most recent vaginal surgery, she developed a tender lump in the lower part of the anterior vaginal wall. A urethral diverticulum was suspected, but a diagnostic puncture and biopsy unexpectedly showed histologically verified endometriosis. As the cyst recurred, surgical excision of all visible endometriosis tissue was performed. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient remained without recurrence. This case illustrates the risk of atypical implantation of endometriosis related to repeated urogynaecological surgery and that treatment requires surgery with thorough removal of all visible tissues.

Clinical relevance of routine transvaginal ultrasound in women referred with pelvic organ prolapse

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of incidental findings on transvaginal ultrasound scan in women referred with pelvic organ prolapse by a general practitioner and to investigate which further examinations and treatments were performed as a result of these findings. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study that investigated women with pelvic organ prolapse referred to the outpatient urogynaecological clinics at Randers Regional Hospital and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Results A total of 521 women were included and all of them were examined with a routine transvaginal ultrasound scan and a gynaecological examination. Prolapse symptoms only and no specific indication for transvaginal ultrasound scan were seen in 507 women (97.3%), while 14 women (2.7%) received scans on indication. Among the latter women, five (35.7%) had cancer. In the women with solely prolapse symptoms, 59 (11.6%) had incidental findings on transvaginal ultrasound scan, but all were benign. However, two patients were later diagnosed with cancer unrelated to the initial ultrasound findings. The treatment was extended with further examinations not related to POP in 19 of the women (32.2%) with incidental ultrasound findings. Conclusion The prevalence of incidental ultrasound findings was not high in the women referred with pelvic organ prolapse and no additional symptoms, and all these findings were benign. However, it should be considered that these findings resulted in further investigations and changes to the patients’ initial treatment plans. A meticulous anamnesis and digital vaginal examination are crucial to rule out the need for vaginal ultrasound.

Arabic translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire in a Saudi population

Introduction and hypothesis The aims of the study were the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of self-administered Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ) on a Saudi population. Methods The translation and cultural adaptation was performed in 854 women over 18 and not pregnant who agreed to answer the Arabic version of the questionnaire. The content/face validity, internal consistency (reliability), and construct validity (factor analysis) were assessed. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 24.0 statistical software. Results The Cronbach’s alpha results were above 0.8 for the questionnaire’s overall reliability (bladder function: 0.877, bowel function: 0.834, prolapse symptoms: 0.784, sexual function: 0.762) showing adequate internal consistency reliability and high statistical significance. A statistically significant correlation was observed among the 40 items of the questionnaire. The issue of multicollinearity was not found, and the determinant of the correlation matrix was 0.001. A value of > 0.5 was achieved when the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin and Bartlett’s tests measured 0.806 and the Bartlett’s test of sphericity was statistically significant χ2 (780) = 4150.46 (p < 0.001). The values of loading indicate that all 4 factors (bladder function, bowel function, prolapse symptoms, sexual function) contributed to each of their items. Conclusions This study provides the Arabic version of the self-administered APFQ as a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating symptom severity and impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on the quality of life of Arabic women. It also will enable the researchers from Arab countries to use this instrument to assess pelvic floor dysfunction prevalence in their settings.

Outcomes following abdominal sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the most performed surgical procedures during lifetime. Almost 10% of women who have had a hysterectomy because of prolapse symptoms. Sacrocolpopexy (sacral colpopexy) is a surgical technique to repair pelvic organ prolapses. Specifically, it is intended to address apical or vaginal vault prolapse in women with lower perioperative morbidity, shorter hospital stay and allows a long-term anatomical restoration. It provides excellent apical support with lower rate of recurrence. Aim of present study was to assess the efficiency of conventional method of sacrocolpopexy and to assess the follow up complaints of patients.Methods: This study is conducted in maternal and child health wing of Sarojini Naidu medical college from June 2019 till December 2019. Sacrospinous fixation was performed with conventional needle holder as compared to Miya hook. Data were collected from participants using a structured questionnaire. Follow up was conducted at 6 weeks and 12 weeks.Results: In this study there were 43.3% pre menopausal patients and 53.6% menopausal patients. Maximum patients were multiparous i.e. para 2 (36.6%). Maximum patient belongs to POP Q stage 3. After 6 weeks of surgery maximum patients had pain in abdomen i.e. 3.33%, dyspareunia 8.33% and 100% success rate of sacropexy.Conclusions: Sacrocolpopexy is a cost effective and safe procedure with high anatomical cure and patient satisfaction rate and low intra-operative and. postoperative complications as well as recurrence rates.

Arabic Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire in a Saudi Population

Introduction and hypothesis: The aims of the study were the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of self-administered Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ) on a Saudi population. Methods: The translation and cultural adaptation was performed in 854 women over 18 and not pregnant who agreed to answer the Arabic version of the questionnaire. The content/face validity, internal consistency (reliability), and construct validity (factor analysis) were assessed. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 24.0 statistical software.Results: The Cronbach’s alpha results were above 0.8 for the questionnaire’s overall reliability (bladder function: 0.877, bowel function: 0.834, prolapse symptoms: 0.784, sexual function: 0.762) showing adequate internal consistency reliability and high statistical significance. A statistically significant correlation was observed among the 40 items of the questionnaire. The issue of multicollinearity was not found, and the determinant of the correlation matrix was 0.001. A value of >0.5 was achieved when the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s tests measured 0.806 and the Bartlett’s test of sphericity was statistically significant χ2 (780)=4150.46 (P<0.001). The values of loading indicate that all 4 factors (bladder function, bowel function, prolapse symptoms, sexual function) contributed to each of their items.Conclusions: This study provides the Arabic version of the self-administered APFQ as a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating symptom severity and impact of pelvic floor dysfunction on the quality of life (QOL) of Arabic women. It also will enable the researchers from Arab countries to use this instrument to assess pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) prevalence in their settings.

Long-term mesh complications and reoperation after laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy: a cross-sectional study

Introduction and hypothesis The paucity of long-term safety and efficacy data to support laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy is noteworthy given concerns about the use of polypropylene mesh in pelvic floor surgery. This study is aimed at determining the incidence of mesh-associated complications and reoperation following this procedure. Methods This was a cross-sectional postal questionnaire study of women who underwent laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy between 2010 and 2018. Potential participants were identified from surgical databases of five surgeons at two tertiary urogynaecology centres in the UK. The primary outcome was patient-reported mesh complication requiring removal of hysteropexy mesh. Secondary outcomes included other mesh-associated complications, reoperation rates and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) in prolapse symptoms. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were used. Results Of 1,766 eligible participants, 1,121 women responded (response proportion 63.5%), at a median follow-up of 46 months. The incidence of mesh complications requiring removal of hysteropexy mesh was 0.4% (4 out of 1,121). The rate of chronic pain service use was 1.8%, and newly diagnosed systemic autoimmune disorders was 5.8%. The rate of reoperation for apical prolapse was 3.7%, and for any form of pelvic organ prolapse it was 13.6%. For PGI-I, 81.4% of patients were “much better” or “very much better”. Conclusions Laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy has a low incidence of reoperation for mesh complications and apical prolapse, and a high rate of patient-reported improvement in prolapse symptoms. With appropriate clinical governance measures, the procedure offers an alternative to vaginal hysterectomy with apical suspension. However, long-term comparative studies are still required.

Primary Retroperitoneal Serous Cystadenoma Mimicking Rectal Duplication Cyst: A Case Report

Background: Primary retroperitoneal serous cystadenomas (PRSCs) are extremely rare, and their pathogenesis is not well understood. Differentiating these tumors from other cystic or tumorigenic lesions can be challenging given the unusual retroperitoneal location and varied symptomatology. Case Presentation: An 83-year-old female was evaluated for vaginal prolapse symptoms, fecal incontinence, and intermittent mixed urinary incontinence symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large space-occupying cystic structure closely associated with the rectum. After exploratory laparotomy with excision of the retroperitoneal mass, biopsy showed a simple cyst filled with serous fluid and lined by a single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells consistent with serous cystadenoma. On follow up visit, she reported improvement in stress urinary incontinence, but continued to have difficulty with urinary and bowel urge incontinence. Conclusion: PRSCs should be considered during evaluation of retroperitoneal space-occupying lesions despite the rarity of serous cystadenomas being found in this location. The pathophysiology of how PRSCs arise is still not well understood but establishing better techniques to distinguish these lesions from other cystic and tumorigenic lesions should be investigated.