Relationship between urethrovesical junction mobility changes and postoperative progression of stress urinary incontinence following sacrospinous ligament fixation - a subanalysis of a multicentre randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the relationship between urethrovesical junction (UVJ) descent and development of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI following surgery for pelvic organ floor prolapse using the method of sacrospinal fixation (SSF). This was a secondary analysis of the SAME prospective randomized multicentre study (reg. no. NCT03053479) comparing three approaches to surgery for apical defects - sacropexy, SSF and transvaginal mesh. METHODS: The subanalysis included 81 patients with apical defects managed by SSF, either right-sided (N = 14, 17.3%) or bilateral (N = 67, 82.7%). Postoperative follow-up was assessed at 3 months (N = 59), 12 months (N = 47) and 24 months (N = 30). UVJ mobility at rest and with maximum effort, the Valsalva manoeuvre was determined using a standardized 3D/ 4D transperineal ultrasound protocol proposed by Dietz et al. De novo SUI and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI were ascertained from history. RESULTS: Preoperative demographic data (N = 81) were as follows: BMI 27.3 kg/ m2 (16.8-44.5), age 67.0 years (31-85), and parity 2 (1-6). Concomitant anterior repair was performed in 65.4%. Postoperative progression of SUI was 45.8% at 3 months, 21.3% at 12 months, and 23.3% at 24 months. There were significant differences between preoperative and postoperative UVJ descent values at 3, 12 and 24 months (P < 0.0001). Correlations between UVJ descent at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively and de novo SUI or progression of preexisting SUI at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were not statistically significant (P = 0.051-0.883). Correlations between differences (preoperative UVJ descent minus UVJ descent at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively) and de novo SUI or progression of preexisting SUI at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were not statistically significant (P = 0.691-0.779). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed significant changes in UVJ descent values preoperatively and at 3, 12 and 24 months after SSF. There were no significant correlations between UVJ descent and de novo SUI and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI following surgery for pelvic organ floor prolapse at 3-, 12- and 24-month follow-up. There were no signifi cant correlations between differences (preoperative UVJ descent minus UVJ descent at 3, 12 and 24 months postoperatively and de novo SUI and postoperative progression of preexisting SUI following surgery for pelvic organ floor prolapse at 3-, 12- and 24-month follow-up.

Is it possible to estimate urethral mobility based on maximal urethral closure pressure measurements?

OBJECTIVE: Is it possible to estimate urethral mobility based on MUCP measurements? DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, General Teaching Hospital, Prague. METHODS: This retrospective study included 567 patients from three prospective studies within years 2002 to 2009. Ultrasound examination was performed in 560 of them and maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) values were measured in 507 women. The MUCP was defined as the difference between maximum urethral pressure and bladder pressure. An ultrasound examination was performed using the transperineal approach in accordance with the recommendations of the German Urogynecology Working Group and ICS, IUGA terminology. The mobility was expressed as a distance between the position at rest and at the maximal Valsalva manoeuvre. Data were summarized as mean and median, with SD and quantile range for measures of variability. Either a matched pairs t-test or Wilcoxon test was used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Mean MUCP was 47.4 cm H2O (SD 22.2, first quantile 32, third quantile 62). Mean urethral descent was 20.6 mm (SD 8.2, first quantile 14.9, third quantile 25.6 mm). Using regression analysis there was an increase in urethral descent; this difference is statistically significant. For a MUCP increase of 10 cm H2O we could estimate an increase in urethral descent of 1.1 mm. CONCLUSION: We established a statistically significant relationship between urethral descent and MUCP. Unfortunately those differences are not clinically relevant, especially for MUCP over 20 cm H2O. For MUCP below 20 cm H2O low urethral descent is more likely. Clinical use of MUCP as predictor of urethral descent is limited due to the high variability involved.

Classification of descent and mobility of urethrovesic junction in women with stress urinary incontinence - an ultrasound study.

OBJECTIVE: Detect urethrovesical junction descent and mobility values in women with stress incontinence prior to surgical treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTINGS: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, General Teaching Hospital, Prague. METHODS: A retrospective study included 568 patients from three different prospective studies. We have ultrasound data in 560 of them. All of these patients underwent surgical treatment of stress incontinence. During the preoperative examination, patients were subjected to clinical, urodynamic and ultrasound examinations, in which we focused on the urethrovesical junction descent and mobility rate in the maximal Valsavs maneuver. Statistical evaluation of the data was performed by a pair t-test or Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The mean dorsocaudal descent of the urethrovesical junction was 20.6 mm (SD 8.2, first quantile 14.9, third quantile 25.6 mm). We did not find any statistically significant differences in the acquired parameters at different time periods. CONCLUSION: Due to the high variability of urethrovesical junction descent and mobility, ultrasound examination should be part of all urogynecological preoperative examinations to provide the operator with information on urethrovesical junction descent and mobility prior to surgery and then compare it with postoperative results.

Value of UVJ-M in the diagnosis of SUI in late pregnancy and postpartum.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common pelvic floor dysfunctional disorder in which leakage of urine occurs when there is abdominal pressure. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of stress urinary incontinences (SUIs) in late pregnancy and postpartum via detection of the mobility of the ureterovesical junction (UVJ-M) by using transperineal ultrasound. The study involved the continuous and random selection of 120 cases of early pregnant women and single births. The patients were divided into the SUI and non-SUI groups dependent on whether there was leakage of urine when abdominal pressure in the form of coughing, laughing and sneezing, was increased. UVJ-M was measured, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn up and the threshold value was predicted. The results showed that, the SUI prevalence was 7.5 (9/120), 22.5 (27/120), 43.3 (52/120), and 5.8% (7/100), respectively, in 34, 36, and 38 gestational weeks, and 6 weeks after delivery. The SUI prevalence gradually increased with the gestational weeks, and differences were statistically significant. UVJ-M values increased with the gestational weeks, at 3.43±1.52, 6.77±0.98 and 2.35±1.04 mm, respectively. Statistically significant differences were identified. Results of the ROC analysis, based on measurement of UVJ-M between the late pregnancy and non-SUI groups, revealed that the optimal threshold was 8.66 mm, corresponding to a sensitivity of 89.5% and specificity of 66.7%. In conclusion, UVJ-M ≥6.59 mm was identified as the predicted value of SUI during late pregnancy, and UVJ-M ≥8.66 mm the predicted value of SUI after delivery.

Ultrassonografia uretrovesical como método eficaz de avaliação dos parâmetros prognósticos de tratamento cirúrgico da incontinência urinária de esforço / Urethrovesical ultrasonography as an effective method for evaluating prognostic parameters in the surgical management of stress urinary incontinence

OBJETIVO: Comparar parâmetros ultrassonográficos relacionados à junção uretrovesical e uretra proximal em pacientes curadas e não curadas, tratadas cirurgicamente pela técnica de Burch, com a finalidade de estabelecer se há correspondência com fatores prognósticos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trinta pacientes foram selecionadas e divididas em dois grupos: 15 consideradas clinicamente curadas e 15 consideradas não curadas. As pacientes foram submetidas a ultrassonografia transvulvar no pré-operatório e aos 30 e 180 dias do pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: No pré-operatório, o deslocamento da uretra proximal foi maior nas pacientes curadas (15,87 ± 4,55 mm × 12,47 ± 3,52 mm - p < 0,05). No pós-operatório, no esforço, a distância vertical da junção uretrovesical e a uretra proximal foram maiores nas pacientes curadas (12,87 ± 5,80 mm × 5,13 ± 6,55 mm - p < 0,01; e 13,07 ± 6,44 mm × 6,20 ± 6,14 mm - p < 0,01), e o deslocamento vertical da junção uretrovesical e da uretra proximal foi maior nas pacientes não curadas (8,47 ± 3,98 mm × 5,13 ± 2,36 mm - p < 0,001; e 8,33 ± 4,54 mm × 5,20 ± 2,90 mm - p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A ultrassonografia da junção uretrovesical e da uretra proximal pode ser considerada como um método eficaz de avaliação dos parâmetros prognósticos do tratamento cirúrgico de mulheres com incontinência urinária de esforço.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sonographic parameters related to the urethrovesical junction and proximal urethra in cured and not cured patients surgically treated with the Burch technique, for establishing a possible correlation with prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female patients were selected and divided into two groups: 15 patients considered as clinically cured and 15 not cured. The patients were submitted to preoperative transvulvar ultrasonography, with the examination being repeated at the 30th and 180th postoperative days. RESULTS: At the preoperative examination, the proximal urethra displacement was largest in the cured patients (15.87 ± 4.55 mm × 12.47 ± 3.52 mm - p < 0.05). At the postoperative examination, with strain, the vertical distance of the urethrovesical junction and the proximal urethra were largest in the cured patients (12.87 ± 5.80 mm × 5.13 ± 6.55 mm - p < 0.01; and 13.07 ± 6.44 mm × 6.20 ± 6.14 mm - p < 0.01), and the vertical displacement of the urethrovesical junction and proximal urethra was largest in the not cured patients (8.47 ± 3.98 mm × 5.13 ± 2.36 mm - p < 0.001; and 8.33 ± 4.54 mm × 5.20 ± 2.90 mm - p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography of the urethrovesical junction and proximal urethra can be considered as an effective method for evaluating prognostic parameters in the surgical management of women with stress urinary incontinence.

Tension-free vaginal tape versus lata fascia sling: The importance of transvulvar ultrasound in the assessment of relevant anatomical parameters in treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relevance of transvulvar ultrasound in the assessment of anatomical differences induced by the lata fascia sling (LFS) and tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), aged 30 to 60 years, have been treated with either LFS (20 patients) or TVT (20 patients). The transvulvar ultrasound of the urethrovesical junction (UVJ) and proximal urethra (PU) has been used as the main investigational tool both pre- and post-operatively. The studied parameters were the vertical (VUVJD) and horizontal (HUVJD) UVJ distances, the pubourethral distance (PUD) and the PU length. RESULTS: The VUVJD did not vary significantly after the LFS surgery (P=0.10). The PUD became shorter (P=0.001) and the HUVJD became shorter only at rest (P=0.03) after the correction by LFS. The TVT procedure has led to shortening of the VUVJ displacement (P=0.0005) and of the PU length (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The transvulvar ultrasound was of utmost importance in the demonstration that both the LFS and TVT surgical procedures elongate the PU, even though the LFS technique does it more efficiently. The LFS technique focus more on shortening the PUD and the TVT procedure focus more on the correction of the vertical UVJ displacement.

A importância da ultra-sonografia transvulvar na avaliação de parâmetros anatômicos relevantes no tratamento de mulheres com incontinência urinária de esforço / The value of transvulvar ultrasonography in the assessment of major anatomical parameters in the management of female stress urinary incontinence

OBJETIVO: Descrever a importância da ultra-sonografia transvulvar na avaliação das diferenças anatômicas induzidas pelas cirurgias de sling de fáscia lata e tension-free vaginal tape. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Quarenta mulheres com incontinência urinária de esforço, com idades entre 30 e 60 anos, foram tratadas por sling de fáscia lata (20 pacientes) ou tension-free vaginal tape (20 pacientes). A ultra-sonografia transvulvar da junção uretrovesical e da uretra proximal foi a principal ferramenta de investigação pré- e pós-operatória. Os parâmetros estudados foram: distância vertical e distância horizontal da junção uretrovesical, distância pubouretral e comprimento da uretra proximal. RESULTADOS: A distância vertical da junção uretrovesical não variou significativamente após a sling de fáscia lata (p > 0,10). A distância pubouretral e a uretra proximal tornaram-se menores (p < 0,003) e a distância horizontal da junção uretrovesical tornou-se menor só no repouso (p = 0,03) após a sling de fáscia lata. A tension-free vaginal tape diminuiu o deslocamento vertical da junção uretrovesical (p = 0,0005) e o comprimento da uretra proximal (p = 0,02). CONCLUSÃO: A ultra-sonografia transvulvar foi fundamental para documentar que as cirurgias de sling de fáscia lata e tension-free vaginal tape alongam a uretra proximal, sendo a sling de fáscia lata de forma mais eficaz. A sling de fáscia lata enfoca a diminuição da distância pubouretral e a tension-free vaginal tape, o deslocamento vertical da junção uretrovesical.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the role of transvulvar ultrasonography in the assessment of anatomical changes following fascia lata sling or tension-free vaginal tape procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty women in the age range between 30 and 60 years had fascia lata sling (20 patients) or tension-free vaginal tape (20 patients) placement for treating stress urinary incontinence. Transvulvar ultrasonography was utilized, both pre- and post-operatively, as the main investigational tool in these cases for evaluating the urethrovesical junction vertical and horizontal distances, pubo-urethral distance and proximal urethra length. RESULTS: The urethrovesical junction vertical distance did not vary significantly after the fascia lata sling surgery (p > 0.10). Both the pubo-urethral distance and the proximal urethra length became shorter (p < 0.003), and the urethrovesical junction horizontal distance was reduced only at rest (p = 0.03). The tension-free vaginal tape procedure resulted in a reduction of the urethrovesical junction vertical distance (p = 0.0005) and of the proximal urethra length (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Transvulvar ultrasonography was of utmost importance in the demonstration that both the fascia lata sling and tension-free vaginal tape surgical procedures elongate the proximal urethra, even though the fascia lata sling technique does it more effectively. The fascia lata sling technique is more focused on shortening the pubo-urethral distance, and the tension-free vaginal tape, on the correction of the vertical displacement of the urethrovesical junction.

Modificações da uretra proximal e da junção uretrovesical decorrentes da cirurgia do tipo Kelly-Kennedy

The aim of this study was to show the anatomical alterations of the urethrovesical junction (UVJ) and proximal urethra (PU) carried out after Kelly-Kennedy type surgery. It was determined, by transvulvar ultrasonographic, of the UVJ and the PU the measures of the vertical and horizontal distances of the UVJ (DVUVJ and DHUVJ), pubourethral distance (DPU) and of the PU, in the pre-operative period and 30 days after the surgery for handling of patients with stress incontinence. It was concluded that the employed surgery promoted significant improvement of the degrees of stress incontinence, cure of cystocele and of retocele in all the patients. In relation to the lower board of the pubic simphisis, surgey moved the vertical position of UVJ, in the cranial direction, in the rest position, significantly, reducing its mobility in the effort. It also reduced DHUVJ, so much in rest as in effort. Furthermore, it promoted a reduction of PUD in the rest position, creating smaller mobility in effort, in statistically significant figures, as well as an increase in the length of PU, both in rest and the effort.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo mostrar as alterações anatômicas da junção uretrovesical (JUV) e da uretra proximal (UP) decorrentes da cirurgia do tipo Kelly-Kennedy. Foram determinadas por ultra-sonografia transvulvar da JUV e da UP as medidas da distância vertical e horizontal da JUV (DVJUV e DHJUV), distância pubouretral (DPU) e da UP, no período pré-operatório e 30 dias após a cirurgia para tratamento de pacientes com Incontinência Urinária de Esforço (IUE). Os autores concluíram que a cirurgia empregada promoveu melhora significativa dos graus de IUE, cura da cistocele e da retocele em todas as pacientes. Em relação ao bordo inferior da sínfise púbica, houve uma modificação da posição vertical da JUV, no sentido cranial, na situação de repouso, reduzindo significativamente sua mobilidade no esforço, ao passo que, na horizontal, observou-se uma redução da DHJUV, tanto no repouso quanto no esforço. Ainda ficou caracterizada uma redução da DPU na situação de repouso, ocasionando menor mobilidade ao esforço, em valores estatisticamente significantes, assim como um aumento no comprimento da UP, no repouso e no esforço.