Dynamic Interaction Involved in the Tension-Free Vaginal Tape Obturator Procedure

Ultrasound in Female Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common health condition that may interfere with the quality of life. A comprehensive evaluation of female UI helps with effective and safe treatments. Ultrasound has gained popularity to explore UI recently because it can collect crucial information for treatment planning and counseling. Translabial and introital approaches are commonly and reliably applied to ultrasound. The images can be obtained using two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasounds. Ultrasound is the only modality capable of confirming the presence or absence of a mid-urethral sling (MUS) and is able to demonstrate bulking agents as well. Although some of the ultrasound findings may only be incidental or supplementary to the patient's symptoms, ultrasound benefits for investigating the pathophysiology of UI and surgical outcomes of MUS procedures. It is anticipated that standardization in terminology, measurement techniques, and reporting can be established in the near future.

Significance of 4D US parameters for the clinical treatment of female patients with stress urinary incontinence

Background

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that has been associated with abnormal pelvic floor muscle function or morphology is a common condition. This research aimed to study the impact of the four-dimensional (4D) pelvic floor ultrasound on the treatment of female patients with clinical diagnosis of SUI and to evaluate its clinical significance on SUI.

Methods

We enrolled 51 women with SUI. Before transobturator suburethral tape procedures, the patients underwent 4D pelvic floor ultrasonography. The measurements include residual urine volume, bladder detrusor thickness in resting state, the vertical distance from the bladder neck to the posterior inferior edge of pubic symphysis at rest and Valsalva movement, posterior angle of bladder urethra, and urethral rotation angle. The degree of movement of the bladder neck (the difference between the vertical distance from the bladder neck to the posterior inferior edge of the pubic symphysis under the resting state and the maximum Valsalva movement) and the formation of a funnel at the internal orifice of the urethra were calculated.

Results

The mean bladder detrusor thickness was 2.6 ± 0.9 mm, the vertical distance from the bladder neck to the posterior inferior edge of pubic symphysis was 27.7 ± 4.5 mm, the posterior angle of the bladder was 122.7 ± 18.9°, the vertical distance from the rectal ampulla to the posterior inferior edge of pubic symphysis was 18.5 ± 4.6 mm, and the mean area of hiatus of the levator ani muscle was 22.1 ± 6.0 cm2. The mean posterior angle of the bladder on Valsalva was 159.3 ± 23.1°, and the mean urethral rotation angle was 67.2 ± 21.4°.

Conclusions

The 4D pelvic floor ultrasound is a reliable method in evaluating preoperational morphological characteristics of patients with SUI. With the help of the 4D pelvic floor ultrasound, the individualized treatment regimen can be developed and, more importantly, the inappropriate surgical decision can be avoided.

Translabial ultrasound: a non-invasive technique for assessing "technical errors" after TOT failure

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The aims of this study were to evaluate by transperineal ultrasound if there were ultrasound-detectable changes over time in the dynamic behavior of the sling in patients who underwent transobturator tape (TOT), and to evaluate if dynamic translabial ultrasonography recognized factors that may be associated with failed surgery.

METHODS

This was a single-center prospective study. We included women who underwent "out-in" TOT for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A dynamic translabial ultrasound was performed 6 months post-surgery and again at the last visit. The objective cure for SUI was defined as the absence of urine leakage during the stress test. We evaluated the bladder neck mobility at rest and during Valsalva; the position of the mesh along the urethra; the concordance of urethral movement with the sling during Valsalva; the symmetry of the lateral arms of the sling during straining; and the presence or absence of bladder neck funneling.

RESULTS

From December 2012 to February 2016, 80 consecutive patients were included. Six months after surgery, incontinent women compared with continent women had the sling in a proximal or distal position, that moved discordantly with the urethra (p < 0.0001), with asymmetry arm and bladder neck funneling (p < 0.0001). Continent patients had a significant improvement of urethrocele grade both at rest (p = 0.036) and during Valsalva (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Technical and positioning errors can lead to the failure of anti-incontinence surgical treatment. Translabial ultrasound allows the correct positioning of the sling to be evaluated and any errors that need to be analyzed in order to then solve the failure.

The role of TVT position in relation to the pubic symphysis in eliminating the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence and urethral funneling

The introduction of suburethral sling was a breakthrough in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. The method is highly effective. However, the mechanism of action of a sling and the reasons for surgical failures are not fully understood. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of sling-pubic symphysis distance on eliminating the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence and urethral funneling. Materials and methods: The analysis included 106 patients who reported 3 to 6 months after sling placement for a follow-up visit encompassing clinical examination and standard ultrasonography. We evaluated the position of sling in relation to the pubic symphysis, urethral length, as well as urethral funneling length and width. Results: Cure criteria were met by 91 patients. Elimination of urethral funneling was achieved in 76.9% (n = 70) of cured patients. Urethral funneling was still present, yet shorter by a mean of 10.2 mm (p = 0.02) than before surgery in the remaining cured patients. There was a 32.5% reduction in the mean relative length of urethral funneling (p = 0.002). No significant differences were found in the pre- and postoperative funneling width. The tape-pubic symphysis distance was lower in cured women: 23.2 mm vs. 26.1 mm in failed women (p = 0.04). Similar observations were made for cured patients with persistent urethral funneling vs. failed patients (22.47 mm vs. 26.0 mm, p = 0.027). There were no differences between cured patients without urethral funneling and cured patients with persistent postoperative funneling (23.5 mm; 22.5 mm; p = 0.417). Conclusions: Tape position in relation to the pubic symphysis is important for the elimination of stress urinary incontinence. Sling location closer to the pubic symphysis reduces the length of urethral funneling, but has no effects on its width in cured patients with persistent postoperative funneling.

Ultrasound imaging in urogynecology - state of the art 2016

The role of ultrasound imaging in urogynecology is not clearly defined. Despite significant developments in visualization techniques and interpretation of images, pelvic ultrasound is still more a tool for research than for clinical practice. Structures of the lower genitourinary tract and pelvic floor can be visualized from different approaches: transperineal, introital, transvaginal, abdominal or endoanal. According to contemporary guidelines and recommendations, the role of ultrasound in urogynecology is limited to the measurement of post-void residue. However, in many instances, including planning and audit of surgical procedures, management of recurrences or complications, ultrasound may be proposed as the initial examination of choice. Ultrasound may be used for assessment of bladder neck mobility before anti-incontinence procedures. On rare occasions it is helpful in recognition of pathologies mimicking vaginal prolapse such as vaginal cyst, urethral diverticula or rectal intussusception. In patients subjected to suburethral slings, causes of surgery failure or postsurgical voiding dysfunctions can be revealed by imaging. Many reports link the location of a tape close to the bladder neck to unfavorable outcomes of sling surgery. Some postoperative complications, such as urinary retention, mesh malposition, hematoma, or urinary tract injury, can be diagnosed by ultrasound. On the other hand, the clinical value of some applications of ultrasound in urogynecology, for example measurement of the bladder wall thickness as a marker of detrusor overactivity, has not been proved.

Transversal incision of the vagina favors the remaining of the tape in the middle-third urethra compared to longitudinal incision during transobturator sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence

Background

To describe a new type of incision of the vagina during transobturator sling procedure and to evaluate by ultrasound the tape position at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

We conducted a prospective study including 51 patients with urinary stress incontinence who underwent sling procedure using the transversal vaginal incision. Tape position was evaluated by ultrasound at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and expressed as a percentage of the urethral length (the proximal third of the urethral length 0–39 %, the middle third 40–60 %, and the distal third 60–100 %).

Informed consent was obtained from all patients prior to their inclusion in the study. All procedures have been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments and were approved by the Institutional Review Board and Ethical Committee of “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara before the beginning of the study (no 7/17.04.2012).

Results

At 3 months after surgery, 3.92 % of the slings were located in the proximal third of the urethra, 88.23 % in the middle third of the urethra and 7.84 % in the distal third. At 6 and 12 months after surgery we obtained similar results: 9.81 % of the slings were located in the proximal third of the urethra, 82.35 % in the middle third and 7.84 % in the distal third of the urethra.

Conclusion

The transversal incision of the vagina offers a minimal dissection along the long axis of the urethra favoring the remaining of the tape in the middle third of the urethra.

Clinical and ultrasonographic study of patients presenting with transvaginal mesh complications

AIM

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical and ultrasonographic findings of women who had three-dimensional endovaginal ultrasound (EVUS) for the management of vaginal mesh complications.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients that had EVUS due to mesh complications at a tertiary care center. The clinical charts were reviewed. The stored 3D volumes were reviewed regarding mesh information by two examiners independently. The predictive value of physical examination for detection of vaginal mesh was calculated. Patient outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients presented to our center because of their, or their physicians' concern regarding mesh complications. Forty-one (51.9%) had vaginal/pelvic pain, and 51/62 (82.2%) of sexually active women experienced dyspareunia. According to ultrasonographic findings, mesh or sling was not demonstrated in six patients who believed they have had mesh/sling implantation. The positive predictive value for vaginal examination was 94.5% (95% CI: 84.9%-98.8%), negative predictive value was 12.5% (95% CI: 2.8%-32.4%), sensitivity was 72.2% (95% CI: 59.4%-81.2%), and specificity was 50.0% (95% CI: 12.4%-87.6%). Fifty-four patients were indicated for surgical treatment. Median postoperative review was 12 (range, 3-18) months and 38/53 (71.7%) patients were satisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common complaints of vaginal mesh complications were pain and dyspareunia. EVUS appeared to be helpful for assessing mesh presence, location, and extent including planning for surgical intervention.

Both the middle and distal sections of the urethra may be regarded as optimal targets for 'outside-in' transobturator tape placement

Purpose

To investigate whether the position of the tape under the urethra may influence ‘outside-in’ transobturator sling (TOT) outcome.

Methods

The study comprised 141 women who underwent TOT for clinically and urodynamically proved stress urinary incontinence. The postoperative ultrasound examination with an endovaginal biplane probe was performed before discharging the patients from hospital. The measurements obtained described the position of the tape relative to the urethra and pubic symphysis, as well as anatomical relationships in the anterior compartment.

Results

Ninety-six (68.1 %) patients were cured, 27 (19.1 %) significantly improved, and in 18 cases (12.7 %), the surgery failed. The tape position under the midurethra (40–70th percentile of the urethral length) or distal urethra (>70th percentile) coincided with better results (cure rate 67.1 and 82.4 %, respectively) than the location in the proximity of the bladder neck (<40th percentile) (21.4 % cured, p = 0.0015 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the risk of failure was the lowest when the tape was located under the distal urethra. Other ultrasonographic findings were not related to treatment results.

Conclusions

The highest failure rate for ‘outside-in’ TOT is associated with the location of the tape under the proximal third of the urethra. Both the middle and distal sections of the urethra may be regarded as targets for transobturator tape placement.

Intraoperative Observation of the Degree and Pattern of Urine Leakage before Adjustment of the Mesh during a Transobturator Tape Procedure

Most intraoperative provocative tests previously reported were performed after mesh adjustment to confirm the absence of urine leakage. Instead, our test was performed before adjustment of the mesh to control the tape tension after observing the pattern of the urine leakage. We studied whether this method had an effect on the success rate of transobturator tape (TOT) procedures. A total of 96 patients were included: 47 patients underwent TOT procedures without intraoperative testing (Group I) and 49 patients underwent TOT procedures with testing (Group II). Bladder filling was performed with at least 300 ml of normal saline during the test. After observing the pattern of the urine leakage before adjustment of the mesh by coughing or manual pressure on the suprapubic area, we controlled the mesh tension. In Group I, which did not undergo the intraoperative test, the Valsalva leak-point pressure, cough leak-point pressure, preoperative and postoperative peak flow velocity (Qmax), and postvoiding residual urine (PVR) were 86.46 cmH₂O, 101.91 cmH₂O, 20.82 ml/s, 22.74 ml/s, 19.77 ml, and 45.98 ml, respectively. Changes in the postoperative and preoperative Qmax and PVR were 1.92 ml/s and 26.21 ml, respectively. In Group II, in which the test was applied, the corresponding results were 85.50 cmH₂O, 100.45 cmH₂O, 25.60 ml/s, 26.90 ml/s, 17.16 ml, and 29.67 ml, respectively. Changes in the postoperative and preoperative Qmax and PVR were 1.3 ml/s and 12.51 ml, respectively. The two groups showed no significant differences in any of the variables. In Group I, the cure and improvement rates were 70.2% and 27.7%, respectively. In Group II, the rates were 91.8% and 8.2%, respectively. Group II had a significantly higher success rate than Group I (p value= 0.011). In the univariable logistic regression analysis, Group II exhibited a higher odds ratio (4.771) than Group I in terms of cure rate, and Group II had a higher success rate than Group I (p value=0.011). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, Group II exhibited a higher odds ratio (4.700) than Group I in terms of cure rate under calculation of the variables (namely, age, hypertension, preoperative Qmax, and PVR), and the cure rate of Group II was verified to be significantly higher than that of Group I (p value=0.019). We suggest that our test is an effective method to confirm whether adequate tension is being applied to the tape. Our method presents some advantages in that surgeons can control and adjust the tension of the mesh after observing the degree and pattern of the urine leakage.

Matched-pair analyses of resting and dynamic morphology between Monarc and TVT-O procedures by ultrasound

OBJECTIVE

To determine morphologic differences between Monarc and TVT-O procedures in axial and coronal planes by three- and four-dimensional (3D and 4D) ultrasound.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart audits and ultrasound analyses were conducted on 128 women who had undergone either Monarc or TVT-O procedures for urodynamic stress incontinence. Thirty matched pairs of the two successful procedures were randomly selected and compared. Matched variables were age, parity, body mass index, cesarean status, menopausal status, and primary surgeries. Six-month postoperative 3D and 4D ultrasound results obtained at rest, on straining, and during coughing in these 60 women were analyzed. Assessed ultrasound parameters included the axial tape urethral distance (aTUD), axial central urethral echolucent area (aUCEA), axial tape angle (aTA), and coronal tape angle (cTA), all of which were measured at three equidistant points along the tapes. Paired t-tests were used to compare differences in ultrasound parameters between women after the two procedures and a P value <0.004 was considered significant after Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

At rest, women subjected to Monarc procedures had a significantly wider aTA at one-fourth of the tape and a wider cTA at one-, two-, and three-fourths of the tape than did those subjected to TVT-O procedures. There were no significant differences in other resting ultrasound parameters between these two procedures. Additionally, after both procedures women had comparable straining and coughing ultrasound manifestations as well as respective dynamic changes.

CONCLUSION

Despite flatter resting tape angulations in women following Monarc procedures, both Monarc and TVT-O tapes had equivalent dynamic patterns and changes assessed by 4D ultrasound.

Functional and morphological differences following Monarc and TVT-O procedures

OBJECTIVE

To explore function of the lower urinary tract and morphology of tape and urethra following Monarc or TVT-O suburethral tape placement for urodynamic stress incontinence (USI).

METHODS

We recruited prospectively women undergoing either Monarc or TVT-O placement for USI. Before and 3 months after the procedure, participants were evaluated by a question-directed interview, the measures of Sandvik Incontinence Severity Index (SISI), Incontinence Bother Scale (IBS), Ingelman-Sundberg Score (ISS) and short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), physical examination, a cough stress test and 4D ultrasound investigation. The primary outcome was participants' responses to clinical assessments and the secondary outcome was ultrasound findings.

RESULTS

A total of 67 women with Monarc procedures and 60 women with TVT-O procedures completed the survey both preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. There were significant improvements in scores of SISI, IBS, ISS, UDI-6 and IIQ-7 after both Monarc and TVT-O procedures. At the 3-month follow-up, both procedures had similar success rates, SISI scores, IBS scores, ISS scores, UDI-6 scores and IIQ-7 scores, and similar incidences of postoperative voiding difficulty and overactive bladder symptoms. After Bonferroni correction, all ultrasound parameters representing tape location, tape tension and urethral mobility were similar between the two procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

At short-term follow-up, Monarc and TVT-O procedures are comparable in both functional outcome of the lower urinary tract and morphology on ultrasound as assessed by parameters representing tape location, tape tension and urethral mobility.

Impact of concomitant anterior vaginal reconstructive surgery on transobturator suburethral tape procedures

OBJECTIVE

To explore the functional and morphological impact of concomitant anterior vaginal reconstructive surgery on outcome of transobturator suburethral tape (TOT) procedures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review and analysis of data from 196 women who had undergone a TOT procedure with or without concomitant anterior vaginal reconstructive surgery during a 30-month period. Retrieved data included clinical information and ultrasound findings. Ultrasound examinations assessed the tape location and tape tension at rest, on straining and during coughing. Ultrasound parameters representing tape location comprised the sagittal tape-symphysis pubis distance, sagittal tape-symphysis pubis angle and tape percentile (an indication of tape position along the urethra with respect to urethral length); those representing tape tension included urethral encroachment, sagittal tape-urethra distances at the upper end, central point and lower end of the tape and axial urethral central echolucent area at the center of the tape.

RESULTS

Of the 196 women, 117 had undergone a TOT procedure without concomitant anterior vaginal surgery (Group 1), 44 had undergone TOT placement with anterior colporrhaphy (Group 2) and 35 had undergone TOT placement with a transobturator vaginal mesh procedure (Group 3). At the 3-month follow-up, functional outcomes as well as resting and dynamic ultrasound findings were similar between women following TOT procedures without (Group 1) and with (Groups 2 and 3) concomitant anterior vaginal surgery. However, a significantly higher rate of urethral encroachment at rest was noted in Group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant anterior vaginal reconstructive surgery neither aggravates the functional outcome nor affects the ultrasound findings of TOT procedures.

Correlation of tape location and tension with surgical outcome after transobturator suburethral tape procedures

OBJECTIVE

To explore, using 4D ultrasound, the importance of location and tension of transobturator sub- urethral tape (TOT) with respect to surgical outcome.

METHODS

Enrolled into the study were 56 women who had undergone TOT placement in the treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence. Tape location and tension were assessed by 4D ultrasound with the women at rest, during straining and during coughing. Ultrasound parameters representing tape location included the sagittal tape-symphysis pubis distance (sTSD), sagittal tape-symphysis pubis angle (sTSA) and tape percentile (an indication of tape position along the urethra with respect to urethral length), while those representing tape tension included urethral encroachment, sagittal tape-urethra distances at the upper end (sTUDu), center (sTUDc) and lower end (sTUDl) of the tape and axial urethral central echolucent area at the tape center (aUCEAc).

RESULTS

In women in whom the tape procedure had been successful, during increased intra-abdominal pressure sTSA and the incidence of urethral encroachment increased, while sTUDu, sTUDc, sTUDl and aUCEAc decreased. Compared with those reporting no stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptoms, women who reported SUI postoperatively had lower tape percentile. Women with SUI postoperatively demonstrated no manifestation on ultrasound of urethral encroachment at rest or during increased intra-abdominal pressure. Women with postoperative overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms had shorter resting sTSD and larger resting sTSA than did women without OAB symptoms. Women reporting postoperative de novo or worsening voiding difficulty had larger resting sTSA and higher incidence of urethral encroachment at rest than did women without this difficulty.

CONCLUSIONS

Both tape location and tape tension are associated with surgical outcome of TOT procedures. Assessment of tape location and tension can be achieved using 4D ultrasound.

Reliability of a new method for assessing urethral compression following midurethral tape procedures using four-dimensional ultrasound

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the intra- and interobserver reliability of a new method of assessing resting and dynamic urethral compression after midurethral tape procedures using three- and four-dimensional (3D and 4D) ultrasound.

METHODS

Thirty-one women who had undergone transobturator midurethral tape procedures at Cathay General Hospital were enrolled in the study and 4D ultrasound was performed pre- and postoperatively. Preoperative ultrasound assessment included measurement of the urethral central echolucent area (UCEA) in the axial plane. Postoperative ultrasound assessment included measurement of the tape-urethral distance (TUD) in the sagittal plane as well as UCEA and tape angle in the axial plane (ATA). The TUD was measured at the upper end (TUDu), central point (TUDc) and lower end (TUDl) of the tape. All pre- and postoperative ultrasound assessments were performed in women at rest, on maximum straining and during strong coughing. 4D ultrasound volume datasets were stored digitally and analyzed offline by two independent investigators blinded to clinical data and to each others' measurements. Intra- and interobserver reliability were evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

There were significant reductions in TUDc, TUDl and UCEA during increased intra-abdominal pressure. ICC values for the measurement of TUD at rest, on straining and during coughing demonstrated very good reliability. ICC values for the pre- and postoperative measurement of UCEA at rest, on straining and during coughing demonstrated good to very good reliability. ICC values for the measurement of ATA at rest, on straining and during coughing demonstrated fair to good reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

4D ultrasound can be used to obtain measurements with good reliability in the assessment of urethral compression.

Tape fixation: an important surgical step to improve success rate of anti-incontinence surgery

PURPOSE

Mid urethral slings are effective surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence. However, 5% to 20% of patients still experience surgical failure with clinically significant recurrent or persistent stress urinary incontinence. Since a subset of these failures may be caused by improper tape position, we elucidated whether additional paraurethral fixation of a tape to prevent displacement during tensioning could improve the transobturator sling outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was done in 463 patients with stress urinary incontinence who were randomly allocated to treatment with a standard transobturator intravaginal monofilament sling procedure (232) or to an intravaginal transobturator monofilament sling with additional 2-point tape fixation (231). Another 2 absorbable sutures parallel to the urethra were added to fix the tape and prevent displacement during tape tensioning. Outcome was assessed by a cough test and a 1-hour pad test at 12 months.

RESULTS

Clinical efficacy of the procedure with fixation was significantly higher with 195 women (95.12%) cured or improved compared to the 199 (88.73%) cured or improved with the standard sling (chi-square 5.71, p = 0.0169). There was no increase in intraoperative or postoperative complications. Also, among patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency we noted a significantly better outcome in the fixation group than in the control group, that is 39 of 41 patients (95.1%) cured or improved vs 31 of 42 (73.8%) (chi-square 10.65, p = 0.0011).

CONCLUSIONS

Tape fixation significantly increases the clinical efficacy of the transobturator sling, especially in patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

Clinical and pathophysiological correlates of the symptom severity of stress urinary incontinence

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is multifactorial. The aim of this study was to explore the factor determining the symptom severity of SUI.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-four women with SUI were retrospectively investigated. Clinical data for analyses included demographics, pelvic organ prolapse quantification, SUI severity using a 4-point Likert scale, ultrasound, 1-h pad tests, and urodynamic studies. Data were analyzed using the Spearman's rho test and Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

The symptom severity was not correlated with risk factors of SUI or the morphologic manifestations representing urethral support defect, but was significantly correlated with urine loss on 1-h pad test, Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) grading, and maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP). Women with higher SUI severity had greater urine loss on 1-h pad tests, worse VLPP grading, and lower MUCP.

CONCLUSIONS

Urethral sphincter function appears to be an important determinant for the symptom severity of SUI.