Comparing Ketorolac With Ibuprofen for Postoperative Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify differences in pain perception and satisfaction with pain control in women receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs postoperatively. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial including urogynecology surgical patients. After surgery, all patients were randomized to receive either intravenous (IV) ketorolac or ibuprofen. The patients completed 3 visual analog scales (VAS) assessing pain at rest, pain with ambulation, and satisfaction with pain control. Postoperative opioid use was also measured. RESULTS: A total of 224 patients (112 in each arm) were included. Pain scores (SD) at rest in all patients who received ketorolac versus those who received ibuprofen was 2.30 (2.1) versus 2.68 (2.34) (P = 0.20). Pain scores (SD) with ambulation was 3.94 (2.57) versus 4.16 (2.73) (P = 0.57) in patients who received ketorolac and ibuprofen, respectively. Patients who received ketorolac rated their satisfaction with their pain regimen similarly to those who received ibuprofen (P = 0.50). The average amount (SD) of hydromorphone used in the ketorolac and ibuprofen arm was 3.68 (4.58) mg and 4.04 (4.97) mg, respectively (P = 0.58). A subgroup analysis based on type of surgery showed decreased pain at rest (VAS, 2.77 vs 4.88; P = 0.04) and increased satisfaction (VAS, 1.69 vs 4.67; P = 0.003) in patients who had laparotomy and received ketorolac. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in pain and satisfaction with IV ketorolac compared with IV ibuprofen in patients who underwent all modalities of urogynecologic surgery. A subgroup of patients who underwent laparotomy had less pain with ketorolac.

Characteristics of Providers Performing Urogynecologic Procedures on Medicare Patients 2012-2014.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of providers performing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) procedures in the United States. METHODS: The Centers for Medicare Services public database, released for years 2012 through 2014, was queried for SUI-related and POP-related Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. Providers were categorized as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) providers and non-FPMRS providers, using a list of FPMRS board-certified providers compiled through the American Board of Medical Subspecialties website. Other physician specialties that submitted SUI and POP procedures claims were tabulated. RESULTS: Six hundred twenty-nine FPMRS and 833 non-FPMRS providers submitted claims for SUI and POP procedures. The SUI procedures claims had the following provider specialty distribution: obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN)-FPMRS, 46.7%; urology, 26.3%; OB/GYN, 12.2%; and urology-FPMRS, 13.9%, with the remaining 0.9% being performed by other specialties. The POP procedures had the following specialty distribution: OB/GYN-FPMRS, 63.4%; OB/GYN, 16.7%; urology, 8.3%; and urology-FPMRS, 7.1%, with the remaining 4.5% being performed by other specialties.Provider distribution was compared between transvaginal mesh and sling insertion procedures to transvaginal mesh and sling removal procedures. The FPMRS providers claimed 63.6% of sling and transvaginal mesh insertion procedures and performed 84.9% of mesh and sling removal procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Medicare reimbursement data provides a unique insight into the distribution of provider specialties performing SUI-related and POP-related procedures in the Medicare population. The OB/GYN-FPMRS providers submitted the majority of claims for SUI and POP procedures from 2012 to 2014. The FPMRS providers are also performing the majority of mesh removal procedures.

Increasing Age Is a Risk Factor for Decreased Postpartum Pelvic Floor Strength.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine factors associated with decreased pelvic floor strength (PFS) after the first vaginal delivery (VD) in a cohort of low-risk women. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective study examining the risk of pelvic floor injury in a cohort of primiparous women. All recruited participants underwent an examination, three-dimensional ultrasound and measurement of PFS in the third trimester and repeated at 4 weeks to 6 months postpartum using a perineometer. RESULTS: There were 84 women recruited for the study, and 70 completed the postpartum assessment. Average age was 28.4 years (standard deviation, 4.8). There were 46 (66%) subjects with a VD and 24 (34%) with a cesarean delivery who labored. Decreased PFS was observed more frequently in the VD group compared with the cesarean delivery group (68% vs 42%, P = 0.03).In modified Poisson regression models controlling for mode of delivery and time of postpartum assessment, women who were aged 25 to 29 years (risk ratio = 2.80, 95% confidence interval, 1.03-7.57) and 30 years and older (risk ratio = 2.53, 95% confidence interval, 0.93-6.86) were over 2.5 times more likely to have decreased postpartum PFS compared with women younger than 25 years. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, women aged 25 years and older were more than twice as likely to have a decrease in postpartum PFS.

The significant morbidity of removing pelvic mesh from multiple vaginal compartments.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate perioperative complications of mesh removal performed in the operating room from a single-site, tertiary care center with a large volume of referrals for mesh removal and to compare the morbidity associated with single-compartment mesh removal compared with removal from multiple vaginal compartments. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent mesh removal from January 2008 to April 2014. Patients were identified based on Current Procedural Terminology codes for removal of vaginal mesh or sling. Summary statistics were calculated for the patient population. Complications were compared between single-compartment mesh removal surgery and multicompartment mesh removal surgery. A P value of <.05 was considered significant for all analyses. RESULTS: During a 75-month period, a total of 398 procedures were performed for the removal of vaginally placed mesh. A total of 326 (82%) patients underwent single-compartment surgery, 48 (12%) underwent multicompartment surgery, and in 26 (6%), the type of surgery was unclear. The indications for mesh removal included: pain (63%), dyspareunia (57%), mesh exposure (54%), and voiding dysfunction (39%). The mean length of mesh removed was 4 cm (standard deviation±2.8). Those with multicompartment surgery had approximately three times higher estimated blood loss compared with single-compartment surgery (P<.001). The odds of blood transfusion after multicompartment surgery were more than nine times higher than the odds of transfusion after a single-compartment surgery (odds ratio 9.7, 95% confidence interval 2.1-44.6; P<.01). CONCLUSION: Bleeding complications are higher with concomitant removal of mesh from multiple vaginal compartments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Teaching robotic surgery skills: comparing the methods of generalists and subspecialists.

BACKGROUND: To compare opinions of general and subspecialty obstetricians and gynecologists regarding teaching robotic surgery (RS) to residents. METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval, 2189 gynecologic surgeons trained on the DaVinci Surgical System® (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnydale, CA) were asked to complete an online survey. Anonymous responses were obtained and compared using the chi-squared test, including opinions on training residents in RS. RESULTS: Of these 303 respondents, 161 practiced general obstetrics and gynecology ('generalists'), and 138 were self-described 'subspecialists' (+/- fellowship training). The majority of subspecialists (82%) taught residents, and 63% allowed resident participation. Only 44% of generalists taught residents, and 36% allowed participation. Regarding ideal RS training time, generalists favored residency (39%), while subspecialists favored fellowship. (46%, P < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: While many generalists and subspecialists incorporate training residents into their robotic cases, there is still disparity regarding the extent of participation. Standardized training curriculums should be a goal of residencies with RS.

Avoiding major vessel injury during laparoscopic instrument insertion.

Major vessel injuries during laparoscopy most commonly occur during insertion of Veress needle and port trocars through the abdominal wall. This article reviews methods for avoiding major vessel injury while gaining laparoscopic access, including anatomic relationships of abdominal wall landmarks to the major retroperitoneal vessels. Methods for periumbilical placement of the Veress needle and primary trocar are reviewed in terms of direction and angle of insertion, and alternative methods and locations are discussed. Methods for secondary port placement are reviewed in terms of direction, depth, and speed of placement.