Anterior colporrhaphy: a standard operation? Systematic review of the technical aspects of a common procedure in randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior colporrhaphy (AC) is considered a standard procedure and is performed all over the world. However, not a single step of the procedure has ever been truly standardized and the rates of failure show a wide range in the literature from 0% up to 92%. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the differences in technique and procedure worldwide. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search up to March 2016 using the MeSH terms "(anterior AND (colporrhaph* or colporhaph* or repair* or cystocel*)" using Preferred Reporting Items for Sytematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included in the systematic review. A 14-point checklist was used to assess the quality of surgery undertaken in each RCT. RESULTS: Forty RCTs from all over the world were included in the review. The indication for AC was urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse. A detailed description of colporrhaphy was not provided even in the well-conducted RCTs. The review showed differences in each step of the procedure, in perioperative care, in anesthesia and in surgeon' experience. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the problems concerning AC with the great range in postoperative outcomes. There is diversity in the anatomical structures used in the repair, in perioperative care and in the procedure itself.

Pain perception during outpatient cystoscopy: a prospective controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Rigid cystoscopy is a common diagnostic tool in the assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms, but it is an invasive procedure which can cause distress. Data exist about pain perception during cystoscopy in male patients but only a few data are available in women. The purpose of this study was to investigate pain perception in urogynecologic patients during cystoscopy and compare it with pain perception during urodynamics. We also investigated the difference between anticipated and actual pain perception. STUDY DESIGN: A cooperative, non-randomized cohort study was performed including 109 women with pelvic floor dysfunction scheduled for outpatient cystoscopy or urodynamic testing. Patients completed a questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10 cm) before and after examination. Patients were called one day after examination and asked about pain and their general state of health. According to power calculation, a sample size of 52 patients per group was needed to detect a 2 cm difference in pain scores on the VAS - judged as a clinically significant - with 95% power and a two-sided significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: In 57 patients undergoing cystoscopy versus 52 patients undergoing urodynamics, the main pain scores on VAS were 1.9 cm for cystoscopy and 1.2 cm for urodynamics (p=0.03). Patients in both groups anticipated more pain than they actually experienced: 2.7±2.4 before versus 1.9±1.8 after cystoscopy (p<0.01) and 2.1±2.4 before versus 1.2±1.6 after urodynamics (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients experience cystoscopy as more painful than urodynamics. Patients anticipate both cystoscopy and urodynamics to be more painful than they actually are.

Pelvic organ support, symptoms and quality of life during pregnancy: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Prevalence studies show an increase in lower urinary tract and pelvic floor symptoms during pregnancy. The aim of our prospective study was to evaluate changes in pelvic organ support, pelvic floor symptoms and their effect on quality of life (QOL) during the first pregnancy using validated measures. We hypothesised that pregnancy is associated with worsening of pelvic floor function. METHODS: Objective assessment of pelvic organ support using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system and subjective evaluation of symptoms of pelvic floor disorders and related QOL with the electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire-Pelvic Floor (ePAQ-PF) were performed in the second trimester and then repeated at 36 weeks gestation. RESULTS: A total of 182 nulliparae attended the first visit at 20 weeks and 150 (82.4%) women returned for follow-up at 36 weeks gestation. There were no significant changes in POP-Q points or stage between the two visits except for a significant increase in genital hiatus (p = 0.0001) and perineal body length (p = 0.0001). The vaginal symptoms did not show any changes. Symptoms and bother with voiding difficulties and stress urinary incontinence increased during pregnancy. Constipation (p = 0.02) and evacuation subdomains improved significantly (p = 0.009). In the sexual domain, the only subdomain that worsened significantly (p = 0.03) was "sex and vaginal symptoms". None of the pelvic floor symptoms impacted the QOL. CONCLUSIONS: In our group of nulliparae, pelvic floor-related QOL and prolapse stage did not change significantly from the second to the third trimester of pregnancy.

Effect of childbirth on pelvic organ support and quality of life: a longitudinal cohort study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Although childbirth is known to be a major risk factor for pelvic floor disorders, there is a paucity of prospective, long-term data addressing this issue. The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes of pelvic organ support, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) after childbirth. METHODS: Pelvic organ support was objectively assessed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification method (POP-Q) and pelvic floor symptoms were subjectively evaluated using a validated questionnaire performed in the second trimester, 14 weeks, 1 and 5 years after delivery. RESULTS: We recruited 182 nulliparae and 97 (53.3 %) returned for follow-up at 5 years. POP-Q stage after vaginal delivery (VD) worsened at all time points. After caesarean the worsening in POP-Q stage was temporary at 14 weeks. Prolapse symptoms worsened at 14 weeks (p<0.001) and 1 year (p=0.006) after VD but not at 5 years. No changes in prolapse symptoms occurred after caesarean. Significant increase in faecal incontinence was observed in both delivery groups 5 years after delivery. For all pelvic floor disorder domains there were no significant changes in QOL irrespective of mode of delivery, except for worsening in general sexual QOL after VD. CONCLUSIONS: Five years after childbirth the stage of prolapse worsened after VD but not after caesarean. However, there was no impact on prolapse symptoms or QOL. After VD women were more likely to experience a worsening in general sex score, but no other difference in QOL measures.

Relaxin and gonadal steroid receptors in uterosacral ligaments of women with and without pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study evaluates the expression of estrogen receptor isoforms alpha (ERα) and beta (ERß), progesterone receptor (PR), and relaxin receptor isoforms 1 and 2 (LGR7, LGR8) in uterosacral ligament (USL) tissue of women with pelvic organ prolapse and controls. METHODS: Tissue samples of USL from women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were subjected to immunohistochemistry against ERα, ERß, PR, and LGR7 proteins. The respective mRNA expression as well as of LGR8 was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The cellular distribution of the receptor proteins was different due to cell types, independent of POP: ERα and PR were found in smooth muscle cells, but not in endothelial cells, whereas ERß was found in endothelial cells, but not in connective tissue. ERα, ERß, PR, and LGR7 mRNAs could be detected in all patients of both groups. ERα mRNA expression was significantly and ERß mRNA borderline significantly higher in USL of patients with POP: ERα: p < 0.001, ERß: p = 0.057. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced effects of estrogen via altered mRNA expression patterns of ERα and ERß--but not those of progesterone--may exist in USL of patients affected by POP. A local effect of relaxin needs to be further clarified because of this first report of prevalent ligamental expression of LGR7.

The greatest taboo: urinary incontinence as a source of shame and embarrassment.

INTRODUCTION: While urinary incontinence is often labeled as a taboo in the literature, we found no scientific data addressing this issue exclusively. The aim of our study was to measure the perception of urinary incontinence as a taboo and how this compares to other medical conditions that may be embarrassing. METHODS: 150 test persons completed a self-administered 13-item questionnaire about perception and knowledge of urinary incontinence. Data were analysed with the SPSS 10.0.5 software package using the U-test, Chi-square-test, Yates-correction, Fisher's exact test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. RESULTS: Eighty-six (60.6%) of 142 respondents thought that urinary incontinence constituted a taboo in Austria. To be incontinent was considered significantly more embarrassing than depression or cancer, respectively (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite its high prevalence, urinary incontinence is still considered a taboo in up to 60% of our Austrian test persons. The level of shame and embarrassment of urinary incontinence is significantly higher than that of depression and cancer.