A multicenter, randomized trial comparing pelvic organ prolapse surgical treatment with native tissue and synthetic mesh: A 5-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes in patients who underwent either native tissue repair or monofilament macroporous polypropylene mesh. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized trial included-at the end of 5 years follow-up-122 women with severe pelvic organ prolapse, who were randomly assigned to undergo surgical treatment using native tissue repair (native tissue group, n = 59) or synthetic mesh repair (mesh group, n = 63). Cure criterion was when pelvic organ prolapse-quantification (POP-Q) point was ≤0. Quality of life was assessed using the prolapse quality-of-life questionnaire and sexual function with the quality of sexual function. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous preoperatively with the exception of the previous pelvic surgery variable, which was higher in mesh (P = .019). Cure rate was significantly better for mesh group in the anterior compartment (P = .002) and in the combination of all compartments (P = .001). Native tissue group was significantly better when there was prolapse in the posterior and apical compartment (P = .031). In the quality of life analysis, mesh group showed a significant improvement compared with native tissue group (P = .004). Complications were significantly higher in mesh and recurrence in native tissue. Regarding the reoperation rate, there was no difference between groups, but native tissue had a higher reoperation rate due to recurrence (P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes in women with severe POP were better with mesh use than native tissue repair, both in the anterior compartment and in the multicompartmental prolapse after 5-year follow-up. Complications were more common in the mesh group and recurrences were more frequent in the native tissue group.

A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on pelvic organ prolapse for the development of core outcome sets.

AIMS: In the current climate of evidence-based health care, the aim of this meta-synthesis was to collect and systematically analyse data from primary qualitative studies on pelvic organ prolapse (POP), to identify patient-centered perspectives on the natural course of POP. Information acquired in this study may be useful for ongoing research towards the development of core outcome sets (COS) in pelvic floor disorders. METHODS: A CHORUS Working Group performed a standardized search of three different databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus), from inception to October 2019. We selected qualitative studies on women's perspectives on POP that were published in the English language. Three reviewers independently evaluated the quality of eligible papers and highlighted recurrent themes based on patient perspectives. RESULTS: Eighteen qualitative studies including a total of 497 patients were assessed in this analysis. Our study revealed five superordinate themes, recurrently encountered in qualitative studies on POP: awareness of POP (6 studies), communication (9 studies), treatments (10 studies), effects on quality of life (6 studies), and self-image (3 studies). Five out of 10 quality criteria were met by all the studies included, based on an assessment performed using the critical appraisal skills program. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first synthesis of qualitative studies that address POP-related experiences of women, highlighting five superordinate themes, of which treatment was the most commonly reported one. This synthesis' findings may guide quantitative research priorities and will hopefully contribute to the development of a COS for POP.

An update of a former FIGO Working Group Report on Management of Posterior Compartment Prolapse.

BACKGROUND: The FIGO Working Group (FWG) in Pelvic Floor Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (2012-2015) established a consensus among international opinion leaders in evaluating current evidence and providing practice recommendations. OBJECTIVES: To provide an update of the previous clinical opinion report on conservative and surgical treatment of posterior compartment prolapse. SEARCH STRATEGY: Search of evidence was performed using Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to August 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled trials on posterior colporrhaphy, site-specific defect, transanal, abdominal, laparoscopic, and mesh repair. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Collective consensus on surgical outcomes was based on a decision-making process during meetings and multiple group consultations. MAIN RESULTS: Basic evaluation and conservative treatment precede surgical management. Surgical techniques are performed by vaginal, transperineal, transanal, abdominal, or laparoscopic approach. The transvaginal surgical route without mesh appears superior to the transanal route. No conclusions can be drawn based on clinical studies or randomized controlled trials of posterior colporrhaphy and laparoscopic rectopexy. CONCLUSIONS: Management of rectocele should include patients' history, quality of life questionnaires, and, in case of complex anorectal symptoms, imaging and functional studies. Evidence on the best type of posterior vaginal wall repair is still scarce. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the best approach to achieve safe, effective, and long-term anatomical and functional outcomes.

Prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections: bridging the gap between clinical practice and guidelines in Latin America.

The branches of the immune system work in concert to defend against pathogens and prevent tissue damage due to excessive inflammation. Uropathogens in general, and uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) in particular, have evolved a diverse range of virulence mechanisms to avoid detection and destruction by the mucosal immune system of the urinary tract. Research towards a vaccine active against UPEC continues but has yet to be successful. Orally administered immunomodulatory bacterial lysates both stimulate and modulate the immune response in the urinary tract via the integrated mucosal immune system. The 2018 European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on treating acute uncomplicated cystitis recommend aiming for rapid resolution of symptoms, reduction of morbidity, and prophylaxis against reinfection. Recommended short-term antibiotic therapy has the advantage of good compliance, low cost, few adverse events, and low impact on bacterial flora. Antibiotic treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is only indicated during pregnancy and before invasive interventions. For recurrent infection, prophylaxis using behavioral modification and counseling should be employed first, then nonantibiotic prophylaxis, and, finally, low-dose continuous or postcoital antibiotic prophylaxis. The 2018 EAU guidelines give a strong recommendation for the oral bacterial lysate immunomodulator OM-89. All other nonantibiotic prophylactic strategies require more data, except for topical estrogen for postmenopausal women. For last-resort antibiotic prophylaxis, nitrofurantoin or fosfomycin trometamol are recommended. Guidelines for Latin America are currently being drafted, taking into account the unique ethnicity, availability of medicines, prevalence of antibiotic resistance, and healthcare practices found throughout the region.