Is de novo stress incontinence after sacrocolpopexy related to anatomical changes and surgical approach?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to investigate the relationship between new onset postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after sacrocolpopexy (SCP) and anatomical change/surgical approach. METHODS: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of patients with negative preoperative testing for SUI who underwent SCP from 2005 to 2012. Our primary outcome was new onset postoperative SUI. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship among anatomical change, defined as ΔAa, ΔBa, ΔC, and ΔTVL, and surgical approach, categorized as abdominal (ASCP) for open cases and minimally invasive (MISCP) for laparoscopic and robot-assisted cases, and postoperative SUI. RESULTS: Of 795 cases, 33 ASCP (43%) and 44 MISCP (57%) met the inclusion criteria for analysis. New onset SUI was demonstrated by 15 patients (45%) of the ASCP group and 7 patients (15%) of the MISCP group (p = 0.005). New onset SUI was significantly associated with route of SCP and ΔAa (p = 0.006 and p = 0.033 respectively). Controlling for ΔAa, the odds of new onset SUI were 4.4 times higher in the ASCP group compared with the MISCP group (OR 4.37, 95% CI 1.42, 13.48). Controlling for route of SCP, the odds of new onset SUI were 2.2 times higher with moderate ΔAa compared with low ΔAa (OR 2.16 95% CI 1.07, 4.38). The odds of new onset SUI was 4.7 times higher in those with high ΔAa than in those with low ΔAa (OR 4.67 95% CI 1.14, 19.22). ΔBa, ΔC, and ΔTVL were not associated with new onset SUI. CONCLUSIONS: Greater reduction in point Aa and abdominal surgical route are risk factors for new onset postoperative SUI after SCP.

Erosion of pelvicol used in sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION: Biologic graft materials are used more frequently in pelvic reconstructive surgeries. We describe here the complete process of removal of such a biologic graft in the office. CASE: We report a case of a 69-year-old woman with pig dermal graft erosion 1 year after placement. The patient presented with complaints of vaginal discharge. Upon examination, the graft material was seen eroding through the vaginal apex. The pig tissue was removed whole and intact in the office without complications. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal removal of pig tissue in the office relieved the patient's symptoms.

Transvaginal sling release with intraoperative ultrasound guidance.

INTRODUCTION: Visualization of a midurethral sling may be challenging intraoperatively, especially if the sling is deep, well healed, not in the usual location, or made of materials that are not colored. CASE: We present the case of a 71-year-old woman presenting with a history of incomplete bladder emptying and debilitating voiding dysfunction documented by uroflowmetry and postvoid residual after a tension-free vaginal tape placement. Medications in addition to attempts to dilate her urethra failed to provide her with adequate relief. Intraoperative 3-dimensional ultrasound guidance was used to transect the sling that was otherwise unable to be localized with examination alone. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical transection of a tension-free vaginal tape can be safely performed under the guidance of ultrasound. At her 12-month follow-up visit, the patient did not have urinary incontinence or voiding dysfunction.