FACE: Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Awareness Campaign: Increasing Exposure.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to identify screening, treatment, and referral practices of primary care physicians (PCPs) for patients with pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) and evaluate awareness of the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) subspecialty. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of PCPs using a random sample of 1005 American College of Physicians members, stratified by demographic region. Electronic survey content included awareness of FPMRS certification, comfort diagnosing and treating PFDs, and PFD referral patterns for PCPs. RESULTS: The 399 survey respondents were predominately male and of diverse ages, geographic distribution, and experience level.Forty-eight percent were aware of the FPMRS subspecialty, 31% of FPMRS board certification, and 25% of American Urogynecologic Society. Less than one third screened for PFDs, only two thirds were comfortable diagnosing urinary complaints, and even fewer felt comfortable diagnosing pelvic organ prolapse and fecal incontinence (FI).Eighty-five percent recommended pelvic floor exercises for stress urinary incontinence and referred to urology (29%) or FPMRS (25%) as second-line therapy, whereas 55% recommended medication/fiber for FI and referred to gastroenterology/colorectal surgery (31%) and FPMRS (2%) as second-line therapy.Primary care physicians referred to colorectal surgery for FI (60%), to Ob/Gyn for obstetric anal sphincter injury (38%) and pelvic organ prolapse (57%), and to urology for microscopic hematuria (80%), overactive bladder (60%), recurrent urinary tract infection (75%), stress urinary incontinence (48%), and voiding dysfunction (84%). CONCLUSIONS: Most PCPs do not routinely screen for PFDs, and fewer feel comfortable treating. The majority is unaware of FPMRS and American Urogynecologic Society and more commonly refers PFD patients to other specialists.

Urethral Diverticulum Presenting as a Large Vaginal Mass Complicating Pregnancy and Delivery.

BACKGROUND A case report of urethral diverticulum complicating pregnancy is presented. The diagnosis and management are challenging because of the rare nature of this condition, the varied presentations and differential diagnoses, and the possibility of misdiagnosis. CASE REPORT A 25-year-old primigravida with scheduled induction of labor at 39 weeks gestation due to gestational diabetes mellitus presented for a routine antenatal appointment at 38 weeks and four days. On digital cervical examination, she was found to have a large semi-solid anterior vaginal mass, shown by trans-vaginal ultrasound to have a nearly solid appearance of a 5×7 cm mass with septation. Maternal Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology consultations were obtained primary cesarean section with vaginal biopsy in the Operating Room were recommended. Following an uncomplicated cesarean delivery and with the patient still under spinal anesthesia, the anterior vaginal mass was examined and found to contain 200 ml of purulent material. Because a diagnosis of urethral diverticulum was made, a biopsy was not performed. The patient was placed on antibiotic prophylaxis for the remainder of her hospital course. Follow-up CT scan confirmed a large urethral diverticulum, and she was referred to the Fetal Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) and Urogynecology units for treatment. CONCLUSIONS Early identification of urethral diverticulum during the pregnancy may allow for treatment and a trial of labor with vaginal delivery. MRI is the recommended imaging modality in identifying urethral diverticulum.

Imaging of Pelvic Floor Reconstruction.

Stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are 2 common pelvic floor disorders that are important causes of pelvic pain and disability. Mesh and sling placement are some of the surgical treatment options available for treatment of these conditions. In addition to clinical assessment, imaging plays an important role in managing postoperative patients with complications such as recurrent organ prolapse and chronic pain. Role of high-resolution pelvic magnetic resonance imaging with additional advanced imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance neurography that are invaluable in managing such patients, are discussed in this article.

Incidence of successful voiding and predictors of early voiding dysfunction after retropubic sling.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: There is a paucity of literature on resumption of normal voiding predictors after synthetic retropubic sling insertion and lack of a standardized method of determination. Our goals were to determine the incidence of a successful voiding trial; whether clinical, operative, or urodynamic variables predict discharge with a catheter; and incidence of later retention in those who were initially successful. METHODS: We performed an internal-review-board (IRB)-approved retrospective chart review of 229 consecutive patients who underwent retropubic sling (TVT, Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA)) from 2001 to 2010. Exclusions were concomitant surgery or cystotomy at the time of retropubic sling insertion. All participants underwent a voiding trial in recovery consisting of 300 cc sterile-water retrograde fill and were discharged home without a catheter after single void of at least 200 cc following catheter removal. RESULTS: Of 170 patients, 136 (80 %) passed the voiding trial the same day, with 165 (97 %) passing within 1 day. Factors associated with delayed voiding were age ≥65 years (p < 0.05), presence of Valsalva voiding (p < 0.01), lower body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05), and higher gravidity (p < 0.05) and parity (p < 0.01). Age ≥65 years [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.72, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.40-9.90, p < 0.01] and Valsalva voiding (aOR 3.89, 95 % CI 1.56-9.69, p < 0.01) remained significant independent predictors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with retropubic sling can be safely discharged home the same day without a catheter after retrograde fill. Women >65 years or Valsalva voiders had nearly four times the odds of being discharged with a catheter. Most patients resume normal voiding within 24 h after retropubic sling insertion, but >65 years and Valsalva voiding are risk factors for voiding inability at discharge.

Bladder perforation during tension-free vaginal tape procedures: abdominal versus vaginal approach.

OBJECTIVE: Bladder perforation rates for the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) are higher with inexperienced surgeons. The purpose of this study was to examine if surgical approach affects this rate. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing a TVT as the sole procedure. All cases were performed by senior residents using 2 different surgical approaches-vaginal or abdominal trocar passage. Power analysis indicated that 103 patients in each group (vaginal and abdominal approach) were required to demonstrate a 50% reduction in perforation rates. RESULTS: The rate of perforation was 37.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.5%-47.3%) for the vaginal compared with 6.8% (95% CI, 1.9%-11.7%) for the abdominal technique (P < 0.001). The relative risk that the abdominal technique results in bladder injury compared with the original transvaginal was 0.18 (95% CI, 0.08-0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Bladder perforation occurs significantly less frequently with abdominal needle placement for the TVT procedure. We recommend this technique to less experienced surgeons.

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation in patients who have failed anticholinergic therapy: efficacy and time to response.

OBJECTIVES: : We sought to determine the efficacy of posterior tibial nerve stimulation in patients who had failed anticholinergic medications. A secondary outcome was to determine the time to response for different parameters of overactive bladder. STUDY DESIGN: : The medical records of all patients treated with posterior tibial nerve stimulation from 2000 to 2009 seen in a university urogynecology practice were abstracted. Patients underwent weekly treatments. Patients were asked about the 4 index symptoms at each weekly visit. Descriptive statistics were performed on the data set using SPSS 15. RESULTS: : A total of 141 patients were analyzed. Of these patients, 67.4% were satisfied with treatment results. The median week to improvement was 5 weeks for nocturia, 7 weeks for frequency, 6 weeks for urgency, and 6 weeks for urge incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: : Posterior tibial nerve stimulation is an effective treatment of overactive bladder in patients who have failed anticholinergic therapy. Most patients noted improvement by 6 weeks.