Short-term outcomes of single port robotic hysterectomy with concomitant sacrocolpopexy.

The Da Vinci single port® (SP) robotic platform heralds a new era of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The primary objective of this study was to assess short-term outcomes in patients undergoing SP robotic hysterectomy with concomitant sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We performed a retrospective case series at two tertiary care centers between January 2021 and August 2023. Patients with POP electing to undergo SP robotic hysterectomy with concomitant sacrocolpopexy were included. Chart abstraction was used to collect patient demographics and clinical outcomes. Recurrent POP was defined as new bothersome vaginal bulge symptoms and evidence of POP beyond the hymen on postoperative examination. 69 patients were included. Median operative time was 209 min (135-312) and estimated blood loss was 100 mL (20-2000). 1 (1.4%) patient sustained a major vascular injury resulting in laparotomy. Median pain score and morphine equivalents administered in PACU were low at 3 (0-7) and 3.2 (0-27) respectively. At 3 months, 60 (86.9%) patients were seen either in person or via telemedicine for their follow up appointment. 59/60 (98.3%) reported no vaginal bulge symptoms and 50/51 (98.0%) had stage 0 or 1 prolapse on exam. One (1.4%) patient had recurrent prolapse and underwent an additional repair. Postoperative complications included 2 (2.9%) cases of ileus/small bowel obstruction, 1 (1.4%) pelvic hematoma requiring a blood transfusion, and 1 (1.4%) umbilical hernia. The SP robotic platform is a safe and feasible platform for MIS hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy with good short term anatomic and symptomatic outcomes.

Activity Restrictions After Gynecologic Surgery.

Gynecologic surgeons have traditionally restricted the physical activity of postoperative patients. Minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery programs have contributed to decreased hospital stays and more expeditious recovery. In this narrative review, we review the current state of postoperative activity restrictions in gynecology and other specialties, the purported risks and potential benefits of postoperative activity, the available evidence to refute or support activity in the postoperative activity, and, finally, the potential benefit of added activity in the postoperative period.

Successful Use of Acellular Small Intestinal Submucosa Graft in Vaginal Reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Various techniques for neovaginal construction have been employed in the pediatric and adult populations, including the use of intestinal segments, buccal mucosal grafts, and skin grafts. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) extracellular matrix grafts have been described as a viable alternative, though prior experience is limited. Our purpose was to assess operative characteristics and patient outcomes with neovaginal construction using SIS grafts. METHODS: Thirteen patients underwent vaginoplasty with acellular porcine SIS grafts at our institution between 2018 and 2022. Operative and clinical data, postoperative mold management, vaginal dilating length, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Age at time of repair ranged from 13 to 30 years (median 19 years). Patient diagnosis included cloacal anomalies (n = 4), Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (n = 4), isolated vaginal atresia with or without a transverse vaginal septum (n = 4), and vaginal rhabdomyosarcoma requiring partial vaginectomy (n = 1). Following dissection of the neovaginal space, a silicon mold wrapped with SIS graft was placed with retention sutures and removed on postoperative day 7. Median (IQR) operative time was 171 (118-192) minutes, estimated blood loss was 10 (5-20) mL, and length of stay was 2 (1-3) days. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 47 months (median 9 months). Two patients developed postoperative vaginal stenosis that resolved with dilation under anesthesia. Mean vaginal length on latest follow-up was 8.97 cm. All thirteen patients had successful engraftment and progressed to performing self-dilations or initiating intercourse to maintain patency. There were no cases of graft reaction or graft extrusion. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that acellular small intestinal submucosa grafts are effective and safe alternatives for mold coverage in neovaginal construction. Our experience demonstrates minimal perioperative morbidity, early mold removal, and progression to successful dilation with maintenance of a functional vaginal length. Future study on sexual outcomes, patient satisfaction, and comparison against alternative techniques has been initiated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Study.

Longitudinal urinary microbiome characteristics in women with urgency urinary incontinence undergoing sacral neuromodulation.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to evaluate the stability of the urinary microbiome communities in women undergoing sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). We hypothesized that clinical response to SNM therapy would be associated with changes in the urinary microbiome. METHODS: Women completed the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short-Form, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, and the Female Sexual Function Index at baseline and 3 months post-SNM implantation. Transurethral urinary specimens were obtained for microbiome analysis at baseline and 3 months postoperatively. The V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene (515F-806R) was amplified with region-specific primers, and Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) were identified with a closed-reference approach of taxonomic classification. Alpha-diversity was calculated using the phylogenetic (i.e., Faith's phylogenetic diversity) and nonphylogenetic metrics (i.e., Shannon diversity, and Pielou's evenness) using the QIIME2 plugin. Longitudinal paired volatility analysis was performed using the DEICODE and Gemelli plugin to account for host specificity across both time and space. RESULTS: Nineteen women who underwent SNM and provided both baseline and 3-month urine samples were included in this analysis. Women reported improvement in objective (number of UUI episodes) and subjective (symptom severity and health-related quality of life) measures. Ninety percent of the bacteria were classified as Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. No significant differences were observed in each subject's beta-diversity at 3 months compared with their baseline microbiome. CONCLUSIONS: Our descriptive pilot study of a cohort of women who had achieved objective and subjective improvements in UUI following SNM therapy demonstrates that the urinary microbiome remains relatively stable, despite variability amongst the cohort.

Characterization of the GU microbiome in women with self-perceived bladder health over the life course.

BACKGROUND: A variety of factors influence bladder health, including environmental factors, life experiences, biologic foundations, and coexistent medical conditions. A biologically diverse microbial community exists in the urine that is likely influenced by the microbial inhabitants of the vagina. The relationship between the genitourinary (GU) microbiome and self-perceived bladder health is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally define the GU microbiome in women with self-percieved bladder health sampled across multiple time points over a year. STUDY DESIGN: Women with no reported lower urinary tract dysfunction or symptoms (LUTS) were recruited from six clinical sites and assessed every 6 weeks for 1 year. Voided urine and vaginal samples were longitudinally collected. Self-perceived bladder health was assessed with select items from the LURN comprehensive assessment of self-reported urinary symptoms (CASUS) tool. We defined four life phases as follows: young (18-34 years, nulliparous), midlife (35-45 years, menstruating), transitional (46-60 years, perimenopausal), mature (>60 years, not using vaginal and/or systemic hormone replacement therapy). DNA was extracted from samples, and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified with region-specific primers. The 16S rRNA sequencing on an Illumina NovaSeq. Microbial beta-diversity was calculated using DEICODE to identify microbial taxa that cluster in the samples. Longitudinal volatility analysis was performed using the gemelli plugin. Log-abundance ratios of microbial features were explored and visualized in Qurro. RESULTS: Fifty-four (N = 16 young, N = 16 midlife, N = 15 transitional, N = 7 mature) women were enrolled and provided baseline data. Most women in each life phase (93%-98%) continued to report self-perceived bladder health throughout the 1-year follow-up as assessed by CASUS items. Temporal-based microbial diversity of urinary and vaginal microbiome remained relatively stable over 1 year in all subjects. The GU microbiomes of mature women were distinct and microbially diverse from that of young, midlife, and transitional women, with genera of Gardnerella, Cupriavidus, and Dialister contributory to the microbial features of the mature microbiome. The mature GU microbiome was statistically different (p < 0.0001) from the midlife, transitional, and young microbiome for the log ratio of Gardnerella and Cupriavidus (in the numerator) and Lactobacillus (in the denominator) for voided samples and Gardnerella and Dialister (in the numerator) and Lactobacillus (in the denominator) for vaginal samples. Differences in the GU microbiome were also demonstrated via longitudinal beta-diversity between women developing urinary frequency as reported by CASUS responses or objectively on bladder diary compared to women without urinary frequency. CONCLUSION: In women with a self-perceived healthy bladder, the GU microbiome remained stable in all age groups over a 1 year period. Differences were seen with respect to life phase, where mature women were distinct from all other groups, and with respect to self-reported LUTS.

Sex Differences in Commercial Patient Reviews of Women and Men Urogynecologic Surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe differences in commercial patient reviews of women and men urogynecologic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reviews of surgeons on Healthgrades.com in 4 metropolitan areas were included. Based on the qualitative assessment using qualitative content analysis of major and minor elements, we defined 4 theme categories: global experience, social interaction, technical skills, and ancillary aspects, each embedded with discrete elements. Differences in proportions of mentioned themes as well as quantitative ratings were evaluated by sex with the appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-four patient reviews (51% for women surgeons and 49% for men surgeons) were identified for 141 gynecologic surgeons self-identifying as "urogynecologists." The majority of the cohort (77%) held subspecialty certification in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Reviews of women demonstrated a lower mean quantitative "likelihood to recommend" score compared with men (4.0 vs 4.3, P = 0.002) on the 5-point scale. Women received more mention in comfort (52% vs 40%, P = 0.023) and professionalism (19% vs 9%, P = 0.007) themes and less mention with respect to surgical outcomes (28% vs 53%, P < 0.001) and technical skills (5% vs 15%, P = 0.011) compared with men. CONCLUSIONS: Commercial online patient reviews for urogynecologic surgeons reveal sex bias with women receiving lower scores overall and more comments related to social interaction and fewer comments related to surgical outcomes and technical skill compared with men.

Neuromuscular urethral function and urethral urodynamic parameters between urgency and stress incontinence do not differ.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To describe and compare urethral neuromuscular function using concentric needle electromyography (CNEMG) and urodynamic (UDS) parameters between stress incontinent (SUI) and urge incontinent (UUI) women. METHODS: Incontinent women were recruited from a urogynecology clinic if they answered "sometimes" or "always" to one of the items on the Medical, Epidemiologic, and Social Aspects of Aging questionnaire. Participants were categorized by MESA scores into stress (SUI) or urgency (UUI) incontinence groups. Participants underwent CNEMG of the striated urethral sphincter at three insertion sites using Medtronic multiple motor unit action potential analysis. UDS was performed with Laborie microtip catheters: urethral pressure profiles were obtained at baseline and 300 ml. Data were analyzed in SPSS. Continuous variables were compared with independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U, categorical variables with chi-square test. A logistic regression was performed to control for variables found to be significant on univariate analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-six women (37 SUI, 19 UUI) with mean ± SD age of 53 ± 13 years participated. At baseline, patients with SUI were younger, more likely to be premenopausal and had lower BMIs. There were no differences in urethral EMG or UDS parameters between UUI and SUI women except lower maximum cystometric capacity in women with UUI. When controlling for age, BMI and MCC on logistic regression, there remained no differences between SUI and UUI groups on EMG or UDS parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Women with UUI and DO show similar evidence of denervation-reinnervation injury to the striated urethral sphincter muscle as women with SUI.

Incidence of and Risk Factors for Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Benign Hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Describe the incidence of and risk factors associated with postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications with emphasis on the impact of route of surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Database. PARTICIPANTS: Data of women aged 18 years and older who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications between 2014 and 2018 were abstracted. INTERVENTIONS: Cases were identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes and International Classification of Diseases codes. Patient demographics, preoperative comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification system scores, total operating time, length of stay, readmission, reoperation, VTE including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were collected. Cases were stratified by route of hysterectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: t test and multivariable logistic regression were used for analysis. A total of 94 940 patients underwent hysterectomy, of which 23 081 (24.3%) underwent abdominal hysterectomy, 56 656 (59.7 %) laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 15 203 (16.0%) vaginal hysterectomy. The overall incidence of VTE was 0.4%. The incidence of VTE was higher for abdominal (0.7%), than laparoscopic (0.3%, p <.001), and vaginal hysterectomy (0.2%, p <.001). Higher ASA classification was independently associated with postoperative VTE. Age, race, body mass index, uterine weight, operative time, multiple medical comorbidities, and smoking status were not independently associated with increased risk of VTE. CONCLUSION: Postoperative VTE after hysterectomy for benign indications is rare. The risk of postoperative VTE is higher in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy compared with minimally invasive hysterectomy including laparoscopic and vaginal routes of surgery. In addition, the risk of VTE may be higher with higher ASA class.

Surgical Outcomes in Benign Gynecologic Surgery Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic (SOCOVID study).

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of perioperative coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in women undergoing benign gynecologic surgery and to evaluate perioperative complication rates in patients with active, previous, or no previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. DESIGN: A multicenter prospective cohort study. SETTING: Ten institutions in the United States. PATIENTS: Patients aged >18 years who underwent benign gynecologic surgery from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, were included. All patients were followed up from the time of surgery to 10 weeks postoperatively. Those with intrauterine pregnancy or known gynecologic malignancy were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Benign gynecologic surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the incidence of perioperative COVID-19 infections, which was stratified as (1) previous COVID-19 infection, (2) preoperative COVID-19 infection, and (3) postoperative COVID-19 infection. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and mortality after surgery and predictors for postoperative COVID-19 infection. If surgery was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reason for postponement and any subsequent adverse event was recorded. Of 3423 patients included for final analysis, 189 (5.5%) postponed their gynecologic surgery during the pandemic. Forty-three patients (1.3% of total cases) had a history of COVID-19. The majority (182, 96.3%) had no sequelae attributed to surgical postponement. After hospital discharge to 10 weeks postoperatively, 39 patients (1.1%) became infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The mean duration of time between hospital discharge and the follow-up positive COVID-19 test was 22.1 ± 12.3 days (range, 4-50 days). Eleven (31.4% of postoperative COVID-19 infections, 0.3% of total cases) of the newly diagnosed COVID-19 infections occurred within 14 days of hospital discharge. On multivariable logistic regression, living in the Southwest (adjusted odds ratio, 6.8) and single-unit increase in age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2) increased the odds of postoperative COVID-19 infection. Perioperative complications were not significantly higher in patients with a history of positive COVID-19 than those without a history of COVID-19, although the mean duration of time between previous COVID-19 diagnosis and surgery was 97 days (14 weeks). CONCLUSION: In this large multicenter prospective cohort study of benign gynecologic surgeries, only 1.1% of patients developed a postoperative COVID-19 infection, with 0.3% of infection in the immediate 14 days after surgery. The incidence of postoperative complications was not different in those with and without previous COVID-19 infections.

How Does the Urethra Respond to Bladder Filling in Continent and Incontinent Women?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe mean urethral pressure (MUP) during filling cystometry in continent and incontinent women. METHODS: Incontinent women were recruited from a urogynecology clinic if they answered "sometimes" or "always" to 1 of the items on the Medical, Epidemiologic, and Social Aspects of Aging questionnaire. Participants were categorized by Medical, Epidemiologic, and Social Aspects of Aging scores into stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) groups. Continent women were recruited from the community. Multichannel urodynamics were performed using microtip catheters. Urethral pressure profiles were obtained with an empty bladder and at 100-mL increments during filling. Data were analyzed in SPSS. Continuous variables were compared with independent t test or analysis of variance, categorical variables with the χ2 test, and multivariable comparisons were made with linear regression. RESULTS: Eighty-six women (30 continent, 56 incontinent: 37 SUI, 19 UUI) with a mean ± SD age of 48 ± 15 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 31 ± 9 participated. Sixty-nine percent were White, 43% were postmenopausal, and 80% were parous. Continent women were younger (P < 0.001) and had a lower BMI (P = 0.004). Mean cystometric capacity was higher in women with SUI and continent women than in women with UUI (430 ± 142, 448 ± 101, and 332 ± 160, P = 0.04). Continent women had higher MUP at baseline when controlling for age, BMI, and parity (84 ± 35 cmH2O vs 62 ± 28 cmH2O; aR2 = 0.2, P = 0.02) compared with incontinent women. During filling, MUP in continent women was 20-30 cmH2O higher at all bladder volumes than incontinent women. Mean urethral pressure increased significantly between baseline and 300 mL in continent women (P < 0.005) and women with SUI (P = 0.04), but not in women with UUI (P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Continent women have greater baseline MUP and greater increases in MUP during bladder filling than incontinent women.

Vaginal Electrical Stimulation for Postpartum Neuromuscular Recovery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare 3-month postpartum anal incontinence symptoms in women who sustain obstetric anal sphincter injuries and begin immediate vaginal electrical stimulation versus sham therapy. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, women who sustained obstetric anal sphincter injuries were randomized to receive self-administered vaginal electrical stimulation using a commercial device or sham therapy with an identical device. Anal incontinence symptom severity was assessed at 1 week (baseline) and again at 13 weeks postpartum using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index. The primary outcome was anal incontinence symptom severity measured by the total Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score at 13 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Between February 2016 and September 2018, 48 women completed a 13-week follow-up. At 13 weeks postpartum, median Fecal Incontinence Severity Index scores were higher (more severe) in the vaginal electrical stimulation group (12; interquartile range, 0-23) than in the sham group (4; interquartile range, 0-10) (P = 0.04). Unlike the vaginal electrical stimulation group, the improvement in Fecal Incontinence Severity Index scores in the sham group (vaginal electrical stimulation: 12 [interquartile range, 8-22] to 12 [interquartile range, 0-23] [P = 0.12] vs sham: 12 [interquartile range, 6-18] to 4.0 [interquartile range, 0-11] [P < 0.001]) met the threshold for clinical significance based on the minimum important difference of the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index. CONCLUSION: At 13 weeks postpartum, women who underwent postpartum vaginal electrical stimulation reported more anal incontinence symptoms compared with those receiving sham therapy. Vaginal electrical stimulation after obstetric anal sphincter injury was not beneficial in reducing anal incontinence symptoms and may impede recovery.

Do gender and racial differences exist in letters of recommendation for obstetrics and gynecology residency applicants?

BACKGROUND: Studies in several fields demonstrate gender and racial differences in descriptions of applicants in letters of recommendation. However, gender and racial biases in obstetrics and gynecology residency letters of recommendation are understudied. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether there are differences in the letters of recommendation written for medical students applying for obstetrics and gynecology residency based on applicant gender and underrepresented in medicine status. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed all letters of recommendation submitted to a single obstetrics and gynecology residency program during the 2019-2020 application cycle using a computerized text analysis software to evaluate the presence of 25 word categories. Multivariable regression was used to compare differences in the frequency of word categories by gender and underrepresented in medicine status. Concurrently, we performed a qualitative content analysis of letters from a random sample of applicants balanced for gender and underrepresented in medicine status and explored emerging themes until thematic saturation was reached. RESULTS: We analyzed 3060 letters written for 834 applicants, 721 (87%) of whom were women and 198 (24%) of whom were underrepresented in medicine. Men authored 1605 letters (53%). There was no difference in word categories used in letters written for men and women applicants on multivariable analysis. Similarly, there was no word category difference between letters written for applicants who were underrepresented in medicine compared with White and Asian applicants. However, women letter writers used more communal (relationship-oriented) words compared with men letter writers (P<.001). Moreover, on the qualitative analysis of letters from a random sample of 30 applicants, comments about personality traits were frequent in all letters. Comments on surgical skills, work ethic, and leadership were found more in letters for White and Asian applicants, and phrases that were doubt raisers were found more in letters written for underrepresented medicine applicants. CONCLUSION: On linguistic analysis, letters of recommendation written for obstetrics and gynecology residency applicants were similar overall compared with applicant race and gender.

Baseline Characteristics, Evaluation, and Management of Women With Complaints of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of women presenting for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) who met the diagnostic criteria (culture-proven UTI ≥3 in 1 year or ≥2 in 6 months) and to assess advanced testing utilization, preventive therapy use, and risk factors. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of women seen as new urogynecology consults for recurrent UTI (rUTI) between April 1, 2017, and April 1, 2018, followed through April 1, 2019. Exclusion criteria included catheter use, cancer treatment within 2 years, and prior organ transplant, urinary diversion, conduit, or bladder augmentation. RESULTS: Of 600 women, 71% had follow-up with a median of 179 days. Urinary tract infection symptoms included frequency (50%), dysuria (46%), urgency (43%), and malodorous urine (7%). One third met the rUTI diagnostic criteria. Two hundred thirty-four (39%) underwent advanced testing, and 9% (21/234) of women who underwent advanced testing had a change in clinical care. Preventive therapy use increased after consultation (P < 0.001), with vaginal estrogen (47%) being most common. Compared with women not meeting the rUTI criteria, women meeting the rUTI criteria were more likely to be older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.03/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.04), have a prior history of gynecologic cancer (aOR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.02-16.25), or report UTI symptoms of dysuria (aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.57-3.27), or malodorous urine (aOR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.47-5.94) and, while equally likely to be receiving preventive treatment prior to consultation, were more likely after consultation (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 2.05-4.55). DISCUSSION: Thirty-seven percent of women seen for rUTI met the diagnostic criteria. Advanced imaging rarely changed care. Education about diagnostic criteria and preventive therapy is warranted.

The Influence of Patients' Goals on Surgical Satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe patients' surgical goals and determine if goal attainment is associated with postoperative satisfaction and regret. METHODS: Women undergoing surgery for pelvic floor disorders between June and December 2019 were recruited. At their initial visit, patients listed up to 4 surgical goals. Three months after surgery, patients completed the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, Satisfaction with Decision Scale, and Decision Regret Scale. They were also shown their initial goals and asked, "Did you achieve this goal by having surgery?" Women who achieved all goals were designated "goal achievers," and those who did not achieve even 1 goal were "goal nonachievers" (GNAs). RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients listed a median of 1 (range, 1-4) goals. Goals were categorized as follows: symptom improvement (52%), treatment achievement (23%), lifestyle improvement (17%), and information gathering (6%). Ninety-one percent of patients were goal achievers, and 9% were GNAs. Goal achievers had higher Satisfaction with Decision Scale scores (5.0 [4.7-5.0] vs 4.0 [3.8-4.8], P = 0.002), lower Decision Regret Scale scores (1.0 [1.0-1.4] vs 2.0 [1.1-2.7], P = 0.001), and better Patient Global Impression of Improvement scores (1.0 [1.0-2.0] vs 2.0 [1.0-4.0], P = 0.004). In prolapse surgery patients, postoperative Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory scores were similar; however, GNAs had higher postoperative Urinary Distress Inventory scores (17.0 ± 18.0 vs 45.8 ± 20.8, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Ninety-one percent of women achieved their presurgical goals, the most common being symptom relief. Goal achievers have higher satisfaction and less regret; however, those with worsening or de novo urinary symptoms are more likely to be GNAs and be unsatisfied.

Prevalence of childhood trauma and its association with lower urinary tract symptoms in women and men in the LURN study.

AIMS: To describe the association between childhood traumas (death of a family member, severe illness, sexual trauma, parental separation) reported by women and men and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: In this secondary analysis of the Lower Urinary Tract Research Network Observational Cohort Study, participants completed the LUTS tool, childhood trauma events scale (CTES), PROMIS depression and anxiety and perceived stress scale. LUTS tool responses were combined to quantify urinary urgency, frequency, incontinence, and overall LUTS severity. Multivariable linear regression tested associations between trauma and LUTS; mental health scores were tested for potential mediation. RESULTS: In this cohort (n = 1011; 520 women, 491 men), more women reported experiencing at least one trauma (75% vs. 64%, p < .001), greater than three traumas (26% vs. 15%, p < .001), and childhood sexual trauma (23% vs. 7%, p < .001), and reported higher impact from traumatic events compared with men (median [interquartile rnage] CTES score = 10 [5-15] vs. 6 [4-12], p < .001). The number of childhood traumatic events was not associated with severity of overall LUTS (p = .79), urinary frequency (p = .75), urgency (p = .61), or incontinence (p = .21). Childhood sexual trauma was significantly associated with higher incontinence severity (adjusted mean difference 4.5 points, 95% confidence interval= 1.11-7.88, p = .009). Mental health was a mediator between trauma and LUTS among those with at least one childhood trauma. CONCLUSION: Although total childhood trauma is not associated with LUTS, childhood sexual trauma is associated with urinary incontinence severity. For patients with childhood trauma, half of the effect of CTE Impact score on overall LUTS severity is mediated through the association between trauma and the patient's mental health.

Satisfaction with a rechargeable sacral neuromodulation system-A secondary analysis of the ARTISAN-SNM study.

AIM: To describe factors associated with satisfaction with the Axonics sacral neuromodulation (SNM) System at 1 year. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data collected in the ARTISAN-SNM study-a single arm, prospective, multicenter trial of the Axonics r-SNM System™. ARTISAN-SNM recruited participants with urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) to undergo a single, nonstaged implant of the lead and rechargeable neurostimulator. Participants were considered therapy responders if they had ≥50% reduction in UUI episodes in a 3-day period at 1-month post-implant. Bladder diaries and satisfaction (7-point Likert scale) were assessed at 1 year. RESULTS: In all, 124 participants (110 "responders" and 14 "non-responders") had complete data at baseline, 1 month and 1 year following implant. Most participants were satisfied with Axonics at 1 year: 68.5% were "very satisfied," 25.8% were "moderately satisfied," and 2.4% were "slightly satisfied." At 1 year, treatment efficacy, as measured by electronic bladder diaries, was significantly associated with satisfaction. Participants who were "very satisfied" had a larger reduction in voids per day (p = .01), leaks per day (p = .004), urgent leaks per day (p = .04), and voids in which the urgency was desperate per day (p = .03) compared to those less satisfied. Twelve of the 14 "non-responders" continued to see improvements in symptom reduction from 1 month to 1 year; 9/14 (64%) were "responders" at 1 year with six reporting being "very satisfied" and one reporting being "moderately satisfied." CONCLUSION: Satisfaction 1 year after implantation of Axonics SNM is extremely high and correlates with the degree of symptom improvement, which increases over time.

Mind the Gap: Changes in Levator Dimensions After Sacrocolpopexy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare levator hiatus (LH) and levator area (LA) on transvaginal 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) and genital hiatus (GH) size by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examination before and after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy. METHODS: Women with prolapse (POP) beyond the hymen undergoing minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy without concomitant POP repairs completed Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory short form (PFDI), POP-Q, and transvaginal 3D US before and 14 weeks after surgery. Data were analyzed by 2 urogynecologists, blinded to US image sequence and to corresponding POP-Q scores. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were enrolled; 35 with complete data are included. Patients had a mean ± SD age of 55 ± 11 years. Most were white (89%), vaginally parous (94%), postmenopausal (66%), sexually active (63%), and had stage 3 POP (86%). The majority (89%) had concomitant hysterectomy, and 60% had midurethral slings. At baseline, the mean ± SD PFDI and Prolapse subscale of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory scores were 98 ± 50 and 42 ± 22. The median (interquartile range) POP-Q stage decreased after surgery from 3 (3) to 0 (0-1, P < 0.001) and the mean ± SD PFDI scores decreased to 55 ± 42 (P = 0.002). At baseline, the mean ± SD GH and perineal body measurements were 3.5 ± 0.7 and 2.4 ± 0.6 cm. Although the GH size decreased by 0.5 cm after surgery, perineal body was unchanged. Levator hiatus remained unchanged between the baseline and 14-week visits (P = 0.07), whereas LA increased by 0.8 cm2 (P = 0.03). At 14 weeks, the change in LA was not correlated with the change in GH (ρ = -0.2, P = 0.2) or POP stage (ρ = -0.2, P = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Restoring the apex with sacrocolpopexy alone reduces GH size on clinical examination; however, it does not impact the size of the underlying LH on US.

The First Injection: Rates of Urinary Retention in Women With Urgency Incontinence Treated With Intravesical OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the rate of symptomatic and asymptomatic urinary retention and catheterization in women undergoing initial intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (BnTA) injection for urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). METHODS: This retrospective chart review included women receiving initial 100 U of BnTA injection for UUI for 5 years. Straight-catheterized postvoid residuals (PVRs) were performed 2 weeks after the injection. Women without the sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, worsened urgency, inability to void, or suprapubic pain but with PVR of greater than 300 mL were characterized as having asymptomatic retention, whereas women with a PVR of greater than 150 and any of these symptoms were diagnosed with symptomatic retention. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-seven 187 patients received initial BnTA injection. The majority were postmenopausal (89%) and white (82%) with a mean age of 65 years and body mass index of 30 kg/m2. One-third of the cohort underwent baseline urodynamic studies. At 2 weeks after injection, 163 patients (87%) followed up, and 17 (10%) had either asymptomatic or symptomatic retention (2% and 8%, respectively). There were no differences in demographic or pretreatment urodynamic parameters in women with and without retention except that women who had previous anti-stress urinary incontinence procedures were more likely to experience retention (53% vs 18%, P = 0.002) despite similar baseline PVRs. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the rate of retention requiring catheterization after 100 U BnTA may be as high as 10% although only 5% develop PVRs for 300 mL and only 2% have asymptomatic retention for 300 mL.

Does a Hysterectomy Hurt? Comparing Narcotic Requirements and Pain Scores in Patients Undergoing Apical Prolapse Repair With or Without Hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare narcotic requirements with early postoperative pain scores in women undergoing apical prolapse surgery with or without hysterectomy. METHODS: All cases of apical prolapse repair at our institution in 2016 were identified. The following was abstracted from the health record: demographics, comorbidities, procedure details, baseline and postoperative care unit (PACU) pain scores, and operating room (OR) and PACU narcotic doses. Doses were converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for analysis. Correlations are reported using Pearson ρ. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six cases were identified. Seventy-eight percent of participants were white and the mean ± SD age was 59 ± 11 years. One hundred seventeen patients (75%) underwent laparoscopic/robotic sacrocolpopexy, 35 (22%) native tissue vaginal repairs, and 4 (3%) open sacrocolpopexy. One hundred twenty-two patients (78%) underwent concomitant hysterectomy: 93 (76%) were laparoscopic, 25 (20%) vaginal, and 4 (4%) abdominal.The groups were similar, with the exception of younger age and longer OR time in the hysterectomy group. Hysterectomy by any route was not associated with increased OR MMEs (29 vs 22, P = 0.22), PACU MMEs (13 vs 13, P = 0.54), 4-hour PACU pain scores (2.5 vs 2.0, P = 0.22), or 6-hour PACU pain scores (2.6 vs 2.3, P = 0.54). After controlling for age and OR time, there remained no differences in these variables. Likewise, when analyzing laparoscopic or vaginal groups separately on multivariate regression, there were no differences in MMEs or postoperative pain scores in patients with and without concomitant hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant hysterectomy at the time of prolapse repair does not increase pain medication requirements or patient-reported postoperative pain scores.

A Blueprint for Creating Mentored, Collaborative Networks for Early-Career Physician-Scientists.

OBJECTIVES: The objective is to improve the high-quality collaborative research of early-career investigators, the American Urogynecologic Society/Pelvic Floor Disorders Foundation funded and developed the Junior Faculty Research Network (JFRN). The purpose of this report is to describe the process of development of the network, discuss barriers, acknowledge accomplishments, and provide a framework for future collaborations. METHODS: The development of the JFRN provided sponsorship and mentorship, supported collaboration, and created a network structure for early-career investigators. A request for applications was circulated, requiring a competitive submission process, and 6 physician-scientists were selected to participate in a multicenter trial whose initial focus was on the urinary microbiome and its interaction with sacral neuromodulation. RESULTS: The JFRN infrastructure consisted of early-career investigators, senior advisors, and research support staff. Study development and roll-out progressed over monthly conference calls. Initial barriers included the development of institutional participation agreements, logistics of funding disbursement, and coordination of support staff. In addition to the inaugural research project, the network continued to collaborate, and the initial grant provided pilot data for a National Institutes of Health-funded project. CONCLUSIONS: The JFRN is a successful mentored collaborative of early-career investigators. The creation of this self-sustaining, independent research network may serve as a blueprint for other early-career physician-scientists to participate in productive multicenter research.