Current techniques used to perform surgery for anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse in South Korea

Objective@#This study aimed to evaluate the current surgical techniques for anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse repair in South Korea. @*Methods@#A web-based questionnaire survey was sent to 780 members of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The items assessed in the questionnaire were the demographic characteristics and current surgical techniques used for the correction of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse. @*Results@#The response rate was 16%. There were variations in the suture materials and methods used for anterior and posterior colporrhaphy. Most respondents used only rapid absorbable suture materials to plicate the fibromuscular layer and close the mucosal layer of the anterior and posterior vaginal wall. Simple interrupted sutures are the most popular suture method for both the fibromuscular and mucosal layers. Thirty-one and eleven percent of the respondents used mesh for surgical correction of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse, respectively. Concomitant perineorrhaphy was routinely performed with posterior vaginal wall repair by 42% of the respondents, whereas 58% performed perineorrhaphy only in cases with perineal defects. @*Conclusion@#There is considerable diversity in the current surgical techniques for anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse repair in Korea. Further research is required to standardize the surgical techniques.

How and on whom to perform uterine-preserving surgery for uterine prolapse

The demand for uterine preservation in pelvic reconstructive surgery for uterovaginal prolapse is steadily increasing, and several procedures have been introduced, such as sacrospinous hysteropexy, uterosacral hysteropexy, sacrohysteropexy, and hysteropectopexy. However, the benefits and risks of uterine-preserving surgeries are not well understood. This review discusses the current evidence surrounding uterine-preserving surgery for uterovaginal prolapse repair. This may help surgeons and patients have a balanced discussion on how and on whom to perform uterine-preserving surgery.

Factors associated with unsuccessful pessary fitting and reasons for discontinuation in Korean women with pelvic organ prolapse

Objective@#To identify the factors associated with unsuccessful pessary fitting and reasons for pessary discontinuation in Korean women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). @*Methods@#The medical records of 234 patients who underwent pessary fitting for the management of symptomatic POP were retrospectively reviewed. A ring pessary with or without support was used. Successful pessary fitting was defined as the ability to wear a pessary for 2 weeks without any discomfort. Factors associated with unsuccessful pessary fitting were determined using a multivariable logistic regression analysis. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was obtained to examine the probability of continuing pessary use over the follow-up period. The reasons for the discontinuation of pessary were identified. @*Results@#Two-hundred-and-twenty-five women were included in the analysis. The rate of unsuccessful pessary fitting was 40%. Prior hysterectomy (odds ratio [OR], 4.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81-9.42) and POP quantification stage III-IV (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.28-4.85) were independent risk factors for unsuccessful pessary fitting. Among the patients with successful pessary fitting, the median time to discontinuation of pessary use was 4 years. The most common causes of discontinued use were vaginal erosion (45.3%) and urinary incontinence (26.5%). @*Conclusion@#Patients with a history of hysterectomy and advanced-stage POP are at risk for an unsuccessful fitting of the ring pessary. Vaginal erosion is the main reason for discontinued use among patients with successful pessary fitting.

A multicenter cross-sectional study on the prevalence of overactive bladder and its impacts on the quality of life in gynecologic outpatients

OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in gynecologic outpatients and the effects of OAB on a patient's quality of life.METHODS: The survey was completed by adult female patients who visited the gynecology clinic for examination or treatment of gynecologic conditions. The subjects who met the exclusion criteria were excluded. The survey included a questionnaire assessing general characteristics, the purpose of the visit, diagnosis, and the presence or absence of OAB. The subjects were asked whether they were under medical treatment for OAB symptoms, and the degree of discomfort in daily activities was evaluated.RESULTS: In total, 1,990 female subjects visiting the gynecology clinics of 4 different institutions were recruited. On OAB Symptom Score, 188 subjects responded with scores of ≥2 for question #3 (≥1 time(s) weekly). The severity of OAB symptoms was as follows: 345 subjects had mild OAB, 127 subjects had moderate OAB, and 12 subjects had severe OAB. The prevalence of OAB symptoms was 10.30%.CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that OAB symptoms are common, with a prevalence of 10.30%. Patients with OAB symptoms frequently neglect to seek medical intervention. Our findings will help inform patients to recognize their condition and seek medical assistance, especially in gynecologic outpatient clinics.

Risk Factors Associated with Endometrial Pathology in Premenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Tamoxifen

PURPOSE: To evaluate factors associated with endometrial pathology during tamoxifen use in premenopausal breast cancer (BC) patients.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of premenopausal BC patients treated with tamoxifen who underwent endometrial biopsy with or without hysteroscopy. Clinical characteristics were compared between women with endometrial pathology (endometrial hyperplasia or cancer) and those with normal histology or endometrial polyps.RESULTS: Among 284 endometrial biopsies, endometrial hyperplasia was diagnosed in 7 patients (2.5%), endometrial cancer was diagnosed in 5 patients (1.8%), normal histology was noted in 146 patients (51.4%), and endometrial polyp was present in 114 patients (40.1%). When comparing women with endometrial cancer (n=5) to women with normal histology, abnormal uterine bleeding was more common (p=0.007), and endometrial thickness was greater (p=0.007) in women with endometrial cancer. Chemotherapy for BC was also more common in patients with endometrial cancer (p=0.037). When comparing women with endometrial polyps and those with endometrial hyperplasia or cancer, the presence of abnormal uterine bleeding was more common in patients with endometrial hyperplasia or cancer (p<0.001); however, tamoxifen duration and endometrial thickness did not differ significantly between the two groups.CONCLUSION: In premenopausal BC patients treated with tamoxifen, abnormal uterine bleeding, increased endometrial thickness, and chemotherapy for BC were associated with the occurrence of endometrial cancer. These findings may provide useful information for gynecologic surveillance and counseling during tamoxifen treatment in premenopausal BC patients.

Surgical decision making for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse: evidence-based approach

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and a variety of procedures can be performed to correct POP. When deciding on the proper surgical procedure, the surgeon must take into consideration the individual patient's risk for surgical complication and prolapse recurrence and her preference. This review will discuss the key issues faced in the surgical decision-making process for POP and recommendations based on the current scientific evidence.

Uterine Leiomyoma Is Associated with Female Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between uterine leiomyoma and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among premenopausal and postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of consecutive women who underwent gynecologic screening tests, including transvaginal ultrasound, and completed the questionnaires on FSD. A total of 841 women were included from January 2010 to December 2011. FSD was defined as Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) ≤26.55. The relationship between uterine leiomyoma and FSD were compared according to menopausal status. RESULTS: In premenopausal group (n=564), there were no differences in the frequency of FSD (55.0% vs. 58.8%, p=0.387) and total FSFI score. However, in postmenopausal group (n=277), women with uterine leiomyoma had a lower frequency of FSD than those without uterine leiomyoma (71.3% vs. 86.4%, p=0.003). This relationship between uterine leiomyoma and lower frequency of FSD in postmenopausal women remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: The relationship between uterine leiomyoma and FSD is different depending on the menopausal status.

Perioperative and postoperative morbidity after sacrocolpopexy according to age in Korean women

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare perioperative and postoperative morbidity of older and younger women undergoing sacrocolpopexy (SCP). METHODS: A retrospective study included 271 patients who underwent laparotomic SCP for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse from November 2008 to June 2013 at our institution. By the review of medical records, perioperative and postoperative data including the length of the surgery, estimated blood loss, blood transfusion, the length of hospital stay, wound complications and febrile morbidity were collected. In addition, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or neurological adverse events were retrieved. The need for an indwelling urinary catheter or performance of clean intermittent self-catheterization, mesh erosion rate and the number of days required for each were included in the postoperative outcomes. For the outcome variable analyzed in this study, the patients was dichomotized into women aged 65 and older and those younger than 65. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-five (49.8%) patients were younger than 65 and 136 (50.2%) were aged 65 and older. Older women had higher body mass index, vaginal parity and prior surgery for hysterectomy than younger women (P<0.05). And older women had higher baseline comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease (P<0.05), and their American society of Anesthesiologist class was higher (P<0.001). In the perioperative and postoperative complication, older group showed no differences in most of the operation-related complication rates, but gastrointestinal complication rate. Also, mesh erosion rate was not found to be significantly different between the two groups at the last visit. CONCLUSION: Older women undergoing laparotomic SCP have similar perioperative and postoperative morbidities as younger women, suggesting surgeons can counsel older and younger women similarly in terms of operative risks.

Dose-response relationship between cigarette smoking and female sexual dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether smoking is a risk factor for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and to determine the relationship between the cumulative smoking dose and FSD in premenopausal women. METHODS: The study population consisted of sexually active premenopausal women. The frequency of FSD and female sexual function index (FSFI) total score were evaluated according to the smoking status (never/former and current smokers). Evaluation of sexual function was done using FSFI questionnaire, and women with FSFI score of < or =26.55 were considered to have FSD. In current smokers, sexual function was also evaluated according to the cumulative smoking dose and nicotine dependency. RESULTS: A total of 900 women were included, and the frequency of current smokers and the frequency of FSD were 62 (6.9%) and 496 (55.1%), respectively. In current smokers, the frequency of FSD was significantly higher and the median total FSFI score was significantly lower than in never/former smokers, and this difference of FSD remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables. Among current smokers, the cumulative smoking dose (pack-years) and the total FSFI score showed negative correlation, in which increased cumulative smoking dose was associated with lower total FSFI score (r=-0.278, P<0.05). In terms of nicotine dependency, the total FSFI score of moderately to heavily nicotine dependent smokers was significantly lower than that of lightly dependent smokers. CONCLUSION: In premenopausal women, current smoking was an independent risk factor for FSD. And cumulative smoking dose and nicotine dependency were associated with higher risk of FSD.

Significant gastrointestinal morbidity after sacrocolpopexy: The incidence and risk factors

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to quantify the risk of significant gastrointestinal (GI) morbidity after sacrocolpopexy (SCP), and to identify related risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of 258 patients who underwent laparotomic SCP for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) from November 2008 to August 2013. By the review of medical records, the frequency of significant GI morbidity that resulted in a prolonged initial hospitalization, readmission, or reoperation was assessed. Thereafter, risk factors for significant GI morbidity were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Ten patients (3.9%) were identified as having significant GI morbidity; nine (3.5%) had a prolonged initial hospital stay or were readmitted for the medical treatment of postoperative ileus and 1 (0.4%) underwent reoperation for small bowel obstruction. The occurrence of significant GI morbidity was significantly associated with patient's age and prior laparotomy. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.27; P=0.03) and prior laparotomy (OR, 6.82; 95% CI, 1.37-34.07; P=0.02) were found as independent risk factors for significant GI morbidity. CONCLUSION: One in 25 (3.9%) women after SCP experiences significant GI morbidity. Particularly, women with older age and prior laparotomy have a higher risk for significant GI morbidity. This data will aid preoperative counseling for Korean POP patients undergoing SCP.

Translation and linguistic validation of Korean version of short form of pelvic floor distress inventory-20, pelvic floor impact questionnaire-7

The short forms of pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ) are useful disease specific questionnaires evaluating symptoms, quality of life for pelvic floor disorders. The purpose is to develop linguistic validation of the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 questionnaires. Three types of Korean version of questionnaires have been used in four locations of University Hospitals in Korea. Each version of questionnaires was developed by forward translation and back-translation by bilingual translators and was verified by the patients with pelvic floor disorder and healthy persons. For harmonization of 3 types of questionnaires, four authors reviewed, discussed all discrepancies, incorporated and produced a new version. The multi-step processes of translation and linguistic validation of the Korean version of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 questionnaire were completed. Further process of validation of Korean version of these questionnaires is required.

Comparison between tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and transobturator tape (TOT) with concomitant surgery for pelvic organ prolapse / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To compare tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and transobturator tape (TOT) for surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: Two hundred seventy eight consecutive patients affected by SUI associated with POP more than stage II were included in this retrospective study. Cure rate and postoperative complications such as hemoglobin difference between preoperative and postoperative period, vaginal hematoma, bladder and bowel injury, vaginal mesh erosion, urinary retention, de novo urgency, urinary tract infection were compared. Student's t-test and chi square test were used for statistical analysis. A P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The number of patients underwent TVT was 145 and TOT was 133. All patients were followed up for more than 12 months. The general characteristics of patients showed no significant difference between the two groups. There was no difference between two groups in cure rate. However, hemoglobin difference (TVT, 2.91+/-0.93 g/dL; TOT, 1.53+/-0.77 g/dL; P=0.04) was higher in TVT group than TOT group and urinary retention within 1 month (TVT, 35.17%; TOT, 21.05; P=0.02), and urinary tract infection (TVT, 11.72%; TOT, 3.75%; P=0.02) more frequently appeared in TVT group than TOT group. Other postoperative complications such as vaginal hematoma (TVT, 6.89%; TOT, 6.76%; P=0.86), bowel injury (TVT, 0%; TOT, 1.5%; P=0.64), vaginal mesh erosion (TVT, 7.58%; TOT, 4.51%; P=0.47), urinary retention after 1 month (TVT, 2.76%; TOT, 3.00%; P=0.35), de novo urgency (TVT 7.58%, TOT: 6.01%, P=0.48) were not different between two groups. CONCLUSION: Both procedures appear to be equally effective in the surgical treatment of SUI associated with POP. However, TOT seems to be a more safe procedure in postoperative complications.

A Long-Term Treatment Outcome of Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment outcome and major complication rates of abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 57 Korean women who underwent ASC with mesh for symptomatic uterine or vault prolapse and attended follow-up visits for at least 5 years. Forty-seven women with urodynamic stress incontinence concomitantly received a modified Burch colposuspension. The long-term anatomical and functional outcomes and complication rates were assessed. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 66 months (range 60-108). Overall anatomical success rates (no recurrence of any prolapse > or = stage II according to the pelvic organ prolapse-quantification system) were 86.0%. Urinary urgency and voiding dysfunction were significantly improved after surgery, however, recurrent stress urinary incontinence developed in 44.7% (21/47) of cases and half of them developed within 1-3 months post-op. Bowel function (constipation and fecal incontinence) and sexual function (sexual activity and dyspareunia) did not significantly change after surgery. Major complication requiring reoperation or intensive care developed in 12 (21.0%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: ASC provides durable pelvic support, however, it may be ineffective for alleviating pelvic floor dysfunction except for urinary urgency and voiding dysfunction, and it contains major complication risk that cannot be overlooked.

Current opinion of the treatment of female voiding dysfunction / 대한산부인과학회지

The incidence of female voiding dysfunction is increasing nowadays and is getting more of attention with the aging society. Various treatment methods have been applied to treat stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and voiding difficulty. However, surgery for stress urinary incontinence, medication and bladder training for overactive bladder, and intermittent self-catheterization to treat voiding difficulty remain as the mainstay of management. These standard methods cannot be applied to all patients, and does not always lead to successful outcomes, suggesting that we should acquire the correct knowledge in possible ways to treat these patients. In this review, we will focus on the treatment effects of conservative, medical, and surgical treatment which are currently available, based on the evidence of literatures, and address the promising therapeutic modalities such as new minimally invasive surgical procedures for stress urinary incontinence, botulinum toxin A injection, electrical stimulation (sacral neuromodulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation), radiofrequency therapy, new pharmacologic agents for overactive bladder and voiding difficulty.

Current opinion of the treatment of female voiding dysfunction / 대한산부인과학회지

The incidence of female voiding dysfunction is increasing nowadays and is getting more of attention with the aging society. Various treatment methods have been applied to treat stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and voiding difficulty. However, surgery for stress urinary incontinence, medication and bladder training for overactive bladder, and intermittent self-catheterization to treat voiding difficulty remain as the mainstay of management. These standard methods cannot be applied to all patients, and does not always lead to successful outcomes, suggesting that we should acquire the correct knowledge in possible ways to treat these patients. In this review, we will focus on the treatment effects of conservative, medical, and surgical treatment which are currently available, based on the evidence of literatures, and address the promising therapeutic modalities such as new minimally invasive surgical procedures for stress urinary incontinence, botulinum toxin A injection, electrical stimulation (sacral neuromodulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation), radiofrequency therapy, new pharmacologic agents for overactive bladder and voiding difficulty.

Hormone-Dependent Aging Problems in Women

One of the major social issues nowadays is the aging society. Korea is already an aging society, and 63 cities and districts are ultra-aged societies where the rate of people older than 65 yr exceeds 20%. Among them, more than 67% are women. These statistics reveal the importance of healthcare for older women. Disease and disability of older women are very closely related to the loss of female sex hormones after menopause. Major hormone-dependent aging problems in women such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease (AD), urinary incontinence, and coronary atherosclerosis were surveyed in this review, and the key role of hormones in those diseases and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were summarized. We expect that this review would provide some understanding of factors that must be considered to give optimal care to older women for healthy lives.

The comparison of treatment outcome of Transobturator tape and Tension-free vaginal tape obturator as the treatment of stress urinary incontinence / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the treatment outcome of Transobturator tape (TOT) and Tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) as the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: This prospective study included 332 women who were urodynamically diagnosed as stress urinary incontinence from April 2005 to January 2007. Patients showing pelvic organ prolapse higher than stage II by the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system or patients with detrusor overactivity were excluded from this study. The patients were alternatively selected to undergo TOT (n=192) or TVT-O (n=140) procedure and followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively to compare the treatment outcome. Three hundred and six of them were available at 1 year follow up, 185 had the TOT operation, 121 the TVT-O procedure. The student t-test, chi square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in general characteristics between two groups. No differences were found between 2 groups in the cure rates, postoperative complication such as voiding difficulty, De novo urgency, urinary tract infection, vaginal mesh erosion except groin pain. The groin pain rate of two groups showed significant difference. (TOT; 3.78% vs TVT-O; 9.92%, P=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the TOT and TVT-O procedures are safe and effective treatments for female stress urinary incontinence. However, TVT-O shows high incidence of groin pain rate and it may be related to nerve irritation by inflammation of surrounding tissue around the pudendal and obturator nerve, according to anatomical differences of the tape position in two procedures.

The effect of age on surgical morbidity in patients with pelvic organ prolapse / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of age on the risk of in-hospital surgical morbidity in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: Of the women aged 40 years and older who underwent surgical correction of POP at this institution from March 1999 to February 2006, 322 had medical records that could be analyzed. These patients were grouped according to decade of age and assessed according to a set of characteristics and postsurgical complications. RESULTS: There were 35 patients between 40 to 49 years of age, 97 between 50 to 59 years, 123 between 60 and 69 years, 64 between 70 to 79 years and 3 patients were 80 years or older. There were no differences between age groups regarding the following variables: stage, delivery history, BMI, previous surgical history, underlying medical disease, duration of hospital stay, operation time, type of operation and anesthesia, difference of preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin level. There were differences only for parity. Also, between each age group, no statistical differences were noted in postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The risk of in-hospital surgical morbidity in patients with POP was not related to the age of the patients.

Use of Grafts in Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

There has been growing interest in the use of grafts in pelvic reconstructive surgery. This article will address available graft materials and assess their clinical efficacy and safety. We conducted a Pubmed MEDLINE literature search for full-length English text studies with follow-up periods of at least one year. There are many reports on synthetic and biological graft materials; the majority are not well-designed, have short-term follow-up, small sample sizes, and poor outcome assessment. The use of non-absorbable synthetic grafts may offer excellent anatomical cure rates. However, it is associated with a high incidence of graft-related complications, including healing abnormalities and adverse bladder, bowel, and sexual function effects. These complications can be decreased with absorbable synthetic meshes, but efficacy is lower compared to non-absorbable ones. There is insufficient evidence in favor of biological grafts. In conclusion, based on current knowledge, routine application of grafts in pelvic reconstruction is not recommended. It is preferred that graft utilization be individualized, with close monitoring for complications.

Treatment outcome of tension-free vaginal tape in stress urinary incontinence: Comparison of intrinsic sphincter deficiency and non-intrinsic sphincter deficiency patients / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study is to compare treatment outcomes of tension free vaginal tape (TVT) for intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and non-intrinsic sphincter deficiency (NISD) patients in stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and to evaluate whether TVT can be effectively used in both groups of SUI patients. METHODS: 111 women with SUI treated by TVT at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, the Yonsei Medical Center from Jun. 2003 to Jun. 2005 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups; 31 patients with ISD, and 80 patients with NISD. SUI was diagnosed according to the result of urodynamic tests. Urodynamic studies (UDS) include uroflowmetry, multi-channel cystometry and urethral pressure profilometry. The Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and those with any follow-up loss were excluded from this study. RESULTS: There were no significant differences found in demographics between ISD and NISD groups; mean age, parity, BMI, menopausal status and HRT (P>0.05). Maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP)(46.8124.29 vs.75.7+/-32.61 cmH2O; P<.0001) and Vasalva leak-point pressure (VLPP)(53.48+/-10.12 vs 107.23+/-42.95 cmH2O; P<0.0001) showed significant difference between the two groups. However, other parameters of UDS except MUCP and VLPP showed no statistical difference. The cure rates of the two groups at 1 month follow up (87.0% vs 100%; p=0.0053) showed significant difference. No significant differences were found at 3, 6 and 12 months. There were no differences in postoperative complication rate (voiding difficulty, de novo urgency, urinary tract infection) between two groups irrespective of follow-up months. CONCLUSION: Tension-free vaginal tape is effective for stress urinary incontinence in both ISD and NISD patients.