Obstetric anal sphincter injuries after episiotomy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There is conflicting evidence on whether mediolateral episiotomy (MLE) reduces the risk of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI) in spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD). OBJECTIVES: A systematic review was undertaken to compare rates of OASI amongst women who had undergone mediolateral episiotomy versus those who did not. METHODS: ᅟ SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic searches were performed in literature databases: CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, Medline and MIDIRS from database inception to July 2015. Studies were eligible if MLE was compared to spontaneous tears and if OASI was the outcome of interest. Two reviewers independently selected and extracted data on study characteristics, quality and results. We computed events of OASI in those who did and did not have an episiotomy from individual studies and pooled these results in a meta-analysis where possible. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 2090 citations, 16 were included in the review. All were non-randomised, population based or retrospective cohort studies. There was great variation in quality amongst these studies. Data from 7 studies was used for meta-analysis. On collating data from these studies where the majority of women (636755/651114) were nulliparous, MLE reduced the risk of OASI (RR 0.67 95 % CI 0.49-0.92) in vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: The pooled analysis of a large number of women undergoing vaginal birth, most of who were nulliparous, indicates that MLE has a beneficial effect in prevention of OASI. An accurately given MLE might have a role in reducing OASI and should not be withheld, especially in nulliparous women. Caution is advised as the data is from non-randomised studies.

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries: review of anatomical factors and modifiable second stage interventions.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) are the leading cause of anal incontinence in women. Modification of various risk factors and anatomical considerations have been reported to reduce the rate of OASI. METHODS: A PubMed search (1989-2014) of studies and systematic reviews on risk factors for OASI. RESULTS: Perineal distension (stretching) of 170 % in the transverse direction and 40 % in the vertical direction occurs at crowning, leading to significant differences (15-30°) between episiotomy incision angles and suture angles. Episiotomies incised at 60° achieve suture angles of 43-50°; those incised at 40° result in a suture angle of 22°. Episiotomies with suture angles too acute (<30°) and too lateral (>60°) are associated with an increased risk of OASI. Suture angles of 40-60° are in the safe zone. Clinicians are poor at correctly estimating episiotomy angles on paper and in patients. Sutured episiotomies originating 10 mm away from the midline are associated with a lower rate of OASIs. Compared to spontaneous tears, episiotomies appear to be associated with a reduction in OASI risk by 40-50 %, whereas shorter perineal lengths, perineal oedema and instrumental deliveries are associated with a higher risk. Instrumental deliveries with mediolateral episiotomies are associated with a significantly lower OASI risk. Other preventative measures include warm perineal compresses and controlled delivery of the head. CONCLUSIONS: Relieving pressure on the central posterior perineum by an episiotomy and/or controlled delivery of the head should be important considerations in reducing the risk of OASI. Episiotomies should be performed 60° from the midline. Prospective studies should evaluate elective episiotomies in women with a short perineal length and application of standardised digital perineal support.

Cutting an episiotomy at 60 degrees: how good are we?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Episiotomy is regarded as the most common maternal obstetric surgical procedure. It is associated with a significant increase in blood loss, lower pelvic floor muscle strength, dyspareunia, and perineal pain compared with a perineal tear. We tested the hypothesis that all doctors and midwives can perform an episiotomy when prompted to, specifically cut at 60° from the midline (in a simulation model). METHODS: Doctors and midwives attending the BMFMS Annual Meeting (2014), Croydon Perineal Trauma Course and staff at Poole General Hospital were invited to cut a paper replica of the perineum with a commonly used episiotomy incision pad. Participants were prompted to cut an episiotomy at 60° to the perineal midline with the anus as a reference point. The angles and distances were measured using protractors and rulers. A 58-62° band was deemed acceptable to account for measurement errors. RESULTS: A total of 106 delegates participated. Only 15 % of doctors and midwives cut an episiotomy between 58 and 62°. Over one third (36 %) cut the episiotomy between 55 and 65° (inclusive). Nearly two thirds either underestimated the angle (<55°; 44 %), or overestimated the angle (>66°; 18 %). Thirty-six and 7.5 % of episiotomies were cut at <50 and >70° respectively. The origination point of the episiotomy was 5 mm away from the midline (IQR 1-8 mm). CONCLUSIONS: This original observational study shows that doctors and midwives were poor at cutting at the prompted episiotomy angle of 60°. This highlights the need to develop structured training programmes to improve the visual accuracy of estimating angles or the use of fixed angle devices to help improve the ability to estimate the desired angle.

Does previous pelvic surgery hasten the onset of clinically bothersome urodynamic stress incontinence?

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of previous pelvic surgery on the onset of clinically bothersome urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-cohort study at a District General Hospital of 305 women undergoing surgery for urodynamic stress incontinence: case note and computer records review of patients undergoing USI surgery. The main outcome measures were age at index USI surgery, and duration from previous pelvic surgery to index surgery. RESULTS: 305 women were included, of whom 118 had previous pelvic surgery including abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) (n=74), vaginal hysterectomy (n=23), anterior colporrhaphy (n=27) and posterior colporrhaphy (n=25). The mean age in the previous surgery group was 62.4 years (95% CI 60.2-64.6, range 32-87) and 53.2 years in the no previous surgery group (95% CI 51.4-55, range 30-88). There were no differences in the mean BMI (28.4 vs. 27.5), or mean parity (2.4 vs. 2.5). The median duration from previous surgery to the index USI surgery was 222 months (abdominal hysterectomy), 96 months (vaginal hysterectomy), 78 months (anterior colporrhaphy), and 72 months (posterior colporrhaphy). CONCLUSION: Previous pelvic surgery does not seem to accelerate the onset of USI, as women without previous pelvic surgery presented at a significantly earlier age (53.2 years) with clinically bothersome USI than those who had previous surgery (62.4 years). Posterior colporrhaphy had the shortest interval to index USI surgery amongst previous operations.

Maximum urethral closure pressure in women: normative data and evaluation as a diagnostic test.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our goal was to identify correlates of maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and MUCP as a diagnostic test for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of women with non-neurological referrals for urinary incontinence between1995 and 2006. RESULTS: We studied the characteristics of 8,644 women who underwent urodynamics for non-neurological referrals. Mean MUCP was 48 cm H(2)O in urodynamic stress incontinence (USI), 50 cm H(2)O in mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), 65 cm H(2)O in detrusor overactivity incontinence (DOI) and 67 cm H(2)O for continent women . Age and MUCP were negatively correlated in all groups. Multiple regression analysis showed lower levels of MUCP in women with USI who also had previous hysterectomy or anti-incontinence surgery or who were in an older age group. Previous anti-incontinence surgery and older age were risk factors for lower MUCP in women with MUI and DOI. Receiver operator curves did not show MUCP to have utility as a diagnostic test despite age and parity stratification. MUCP < 20 cm H(2)O showed a sensitivity of 5 % and specificity of 98 % in diagnosing USI. CONCLUSIONS: MUCP failed to meet the criteria for a diagnostic test. Women with USI and MUI have lower MUCP than women with DOI and continent women in each decade of life. MUCP decreases with age.

Reoperation rate for traditional anterior vaginal repair: analysis of 207 cases with a median 4-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To determine the reoperation rate for symptomatic recurrence of cystoceles following traditional anterior colporrhaphy (without mesh). METHODS: Retrospective case note review of 207 cases of primary anterior colporrhaphy with/without other prolapse surgery. All patients received a 3-month clinic follow-up. Reoperation details for prolapse and/or urinary incontinence were obtained from patients general practitioners with a median follow-up of 50 months. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years (32-85), and median parity was 2. Twenty-nine of 207 (14%) patients had previous gynecological surgery. While the anatomical recurrence rate of cystoceles at 3 months postoperatively was 12%, the reoperation rate for recurrent cystocele by 50 months was 3.4%. Overall, 9.1% of the group underwent prolapse or incontinence surgery during this period. CONCLUSIONS: While the anatomical recurrence rates for cystocele following traditional anterior colporrhaphy might be high, the low reoperation rate at more than 4 years (3.4%) suggests that patient's symptoms might not be bothersome enough to require further surgery. Both subjective and anatomical outcomes are required to assess the outcome of both traditional and new prolapse procedures.

Referral patterns for pelvic floor disorders.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To determine referral patterns to the gynecology directorate for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence METHODS: A prospective multicenter survey of three district general hospitals in Northwest England. Referral letters sent by family physicians to consultants were studied over a three-month period. Main outcome measures were presenting complaints of prolapse and incontinence RESULTS: Two thousand seven hundred sixty-nine referral letters were surveyed. Urogynecological complaints (18.4%) were the second most common reason for referral. Menstrual irregularities (21.9%) were the commonest presenting complaint. Among these urogynecology referrals, 38.4% (196/510) were for urinary incontinence (UI), 36.2% (185/510) were for symptomatic prolapse (POP), and 25.3% (129/510) were referred with combined complaints of POP and UI. Of all urogynecological referrals, 56% were for women below 60 years of age. Twenty percent of those with urogynecological complaints had undergone prior hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic floor disorders were the second most common reason for referral to gynecologists.

Conservative versus surgical management of prolapse: what dictates patient choice?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study is to establish whether the presence of severe symptoms influences women's choice of pessaries or surgery for uterovaginal prolapse. METHODS: This is a prospective study using the validated Sheffield Prolapse Symptoms Questionnaire. RESULTS: Women choosing surgery (n = 251) were younger (58 versus 66 years), more bothered by dragging lower abdominal pain (33% versus 25%, P = 0.04), need for vaginal digitation (8% versus 3%, P = 0.02), and incomplete bowel emptying (27% versus 19%, P = 0.01) than women choosing pessaries (n = 429). More women opting for surgery were sexually active (51% versus 29%, P < 0.0001), perceived avoidance of sex due to prolapse (28% versus 17%, P = 0.000), and perceived prolapse interfering with sexual satisfaction as a severe problem (26% versus 15%, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly two thirds of women with symptomatic prolapse initially opted for conservative management. Women choosing surgery over pessaries for treatment of prolapse describe more severe symptoms related to bowel emptying, sexual function, and quality of life and are bothered by them.

Combined urinary and faecal incontinence.

Combined urinary and faecal (liquid or solid) incontinence (double incontinence) is the most severe and debilitating manifestation of pelvic floor dysfunction. The community prevalence is 9-19% (urinary) and 5-10% (faecal), increasing with age. Pathophysiological factors include childbirth-associated external anal sphincter injury and pudendal nerve damage, pelvic floor descent, menopause, collagen disorders and multiple sclerosis-like conditions. The presence of crossed reflexes between the bladder, urethra, anorectum and pelvic floor in animal studies may explain the comorbidity of urinary and faecal urgency. Surgical treatment is based on aetiology and combined optimum techniques such as colposuspension or suburethral sling with overlapping sphincteroplasty. Other methods for improving sphincteric control include sacral nerve neuromodulation, bulking agents and artificial sphincters.

Pelvic floor dysfunction in morbidly obese women: pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of obesity on pelvic floor function in women. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This was a prospective controlled study of 20 morbidly obese female patients planning to undergo gastric bypass surgery and 20 age-matched female controls. Subjects completed symptom and impact questionnaires, including the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI), the Kobashi Prolapse Symptom Inventory and Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (PSI-QOL), and Index of Female Sexual Function. Data were analyzed with Wilcoxon or ratio chi2 tests. RESULTS: Mean weight was 295.7 +/- 87.9 lbs in the study group and 144.79 +/- 33.07 lbs in the control group. Mean BMI was 52.65 +/-14.49 kg/m2 in the study group and 25.11 +/- 5.27 kg/m2 in the control group. According to the IIQ-7, urinary incontinence significantly affected lifestyle in the study group. The total IIQ-7 score was also significantly affected in the study group (p = 0.03). The UDI indicated more urinary leakage with activity (p = 0.04) and more incidents of small amounts of leakage (p = 0.02) in the study group. According to the PSI-QOL, women in the study group experienced constipation more often because of difficulty in emptying the rectum (p = 0.04). The PSI-QOL score was higher in the study group (6.75 +/- 6.84) than in the control group (2.65 +/- 3.03; p = 0.04). There were no significant differences between groups regarding sexual function. DISCUSSION: Morbid obesity is associated with a significant negative impact on urogenital health. Sexual function did not seem to be affected in women who are morbidly obese.

Management of unscarred ruptured uterus.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Rupture of an unscarred gravid uterus is a rare and dangerous event. We carried out a postal questionnaire survey of the Fellows of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (United Kingdom), to ascertain the past and present management policies in such an event. 210 Fellows responded (43.5%) and 85 of them managed at least one case of uterine rupture in previously unscarred gravid uterus. RESULTS: A total of 108 cases were reported of which 74 (68.5%) were diagnosed during labor. The tear was repaired and the uterus conserved in 56.5% cases. Maternal mortality was 10.2% (95% CI 5.2, 17.5) and perinatal mortality was 34.3% (95% CI 25.4, 44). When asked how they would manage such a case in the absence of life threatening circumstances in future, 80.8% of Fellows would opt for uterine repair. Fellows with previous hands-on experience of uterine rupture would involve urologists more often in operative management (22% v 8%, OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2, 10.1). 48% of Fellows felt that in-patient management is indicated in subsequent pregnancies and 91% would perform an elective cesarean section in subsequent pregnancy.