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McKinlay KA, Oxlad M. 'I have no life and neither do the ones watching me suffer': women's experiences of transvaginal mesh implant surgery. Psychol Health 2024; 39:947-968. [PMID: 36134476 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2125513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Many women are affected by pelvic floor disorders, such as stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. In recent years, these disorders have been treated with transvaginal mesh implant surgeries involving the vaginal insertion of woven netting. We explored women's experiences of transvaginal mesh implant surgery through a biopsychosocial lens. Design: We analysed women's submissions to an Australian Parliament Senate Inquiry on transvaginal mesh implant surgery using thematic analysis. Main Outcome Methods: One-hundred and fifty-three publicly available submissions detailing women's experiences of transvaginal mesh implant surgery to an Australian Parliament Senate Inquiry were analysed. Adverse and positive accounts were eligible for inclusion. Results: We generated nine themes in three categories relating to the Biopsychosocial Model: Physical Health - comprising three themes; Psychological Health - comprising two themes; and Social Wellbeing - comprising four themes. Physical, psychological and social experiences interacted, resulting in reduced quality of life for women. Conclusion: Most women who made submissions to an Australian government inquiry about transvaginal mesh implant surgery described devastating impacts on physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. We provide recommendations to guide psychologists in assisting women with adverse transvaginal mesh-related outcomes. Further research should explore women's long-term experiences of the various transvaginal mesh procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate A McKinlay
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Melissa Oxlad
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Motamedi M, Degeling C, M Carter S. Patients' perspectives on quality and patient safety failures: lessons learned from an inquiry into transvaginal mesh in Australia. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:436. [PMID: 38600470 PMCID: PMC11005218 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10791-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgeries emerged as an innovative treatment for stress urine incontinency and/or pelvic organ prolapse in 1996. Years after rapid adoption of these surgeries into practice, they are a key example of worldwide failure of healthcare quality and patient safety. The prevalence of TVM-associated harms eventually prompted action globally, including an Australian Commonwealth Government Senate Inquiry in 2017. METHOD We analysed 425 submissions made by women (n = 417) and their advocates (n = 8) to the Australian Senate Inquiry, and documents from 5 public hearings, using deductive and inductive coding, categorisation and thematic analysis informed by three 'linked dilemmas' from healthcare quality and safety theory. We focused on women's accounts of: a) how harms arose from TVM procedures, and b) micro, meso and macro factors that contributed to their experience. Our aim was to explain, from a patient perspective, how these harms persisted in Australian healthcare, and to identify mechanisms at micro, meso and macro levels explaining quality and safety system failure. RESULTS Our findings suggest three mechanisms explaining quality and safety failure: 1. Individual clinicians could ignore cases of TVM injury or define them as 'non-preventable'; 2. Women could not go beyond their treating clinicians to participate in defining and governing quality and safety; and. 3. Health services set thresholds for concern based on proportion of cases harmed, not absolute number or severity of harms. CONCLUSION We argue that privileging clinical perspectives over patient perspectives in evaluating TVM outcomes allowed micro-level actors to dismiss women's lived experience, such that women's accounts of harms had insufficient or no weight at meso and macro levels. Establishing system-wide expectations regarding responsiveness to patients, and communication of patient reported outcomes in evaluation of healthcare delivery, may help prevent similar failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Motamedi
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - Chris Degeling
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Stacy M Carter
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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Palmieri S, Kuria E, Gonzales G, Sarfoh R, Elneil S. Postoperative outcomes and urodynamic findings after continence mesh removal. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 164:334-338. [PMID: 37571911 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze urodynamics findings and patient-reported outcomes after removal of a mid-urethral mesh because data regarding outcomes following mesh removal vary in different studies, and mesh removal itself may have risks. METHODS Women who were referred to the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Department of University College London Hospital and underwent vaginal removal of a continence mesh between January 2014 and January 2020, were included. Patient clinical data and results of video-urodynamics investigations performed 4 months after mesh removal were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS In all, 204 patients were included in the study. After mesh removal, 80.5% of patients reported recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 10.1% reported prolapse symptoms, 8% reported voiding dysfunction and 2.9% reported overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. Video-urodynamics investigations confirmed the presence of SUI (67.6%), mixed urinary incontinence (14.3%), detrusor overactivity (DO) (6.8%) and voiding dysfunction in one patient. In two women a urethral stricture was described, and 10 women were deemed to have a significant cystocele. CONCLUSION Recurrence of SUI was the most frequent finding after continence mesh removal, both symptomatically and objectively. Women seldom reported OAB symptoms, but urodynamics showed evidence of DO despite this. On the other hand, voiding dysfunction was often reported but less often proven on urodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Palmieri
- London Complex Mesh Centre, Directorate of Women's Health, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Esther Kuria
- Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Research Group, Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gwendoline Gonzales
- Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Research Group, Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Uro-Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Raymond Sarfoh
- London Complex Mesh Centre, Directorate of Women's Health, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sohier Elneil
- London Complex Mesh Centre, Directorate of Women's Health, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Research Group, Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Uro-Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
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Zilberlicht A, Karmakar D, DwyeR PL, Murray C, Kugelman N. Predictors of Surgical Failure of Open Burch Colposuspension Versus Retropubic Midurethral Sling for Stress Urinary Incontinence. Urology 2023; 177:69-73. [PMID: 37141976 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and compare long-term predictors for 'surgical failures' in matched groups of Midurethral sling (MUS) and Burch colposuspension (BC). METHODS A secondary analysis of patients with urodynamic stress incontinence who were treated either by open BC or retropubic MUS. The study had a cohort of 1344 women with a ratio of 1:3 (BC: MUS). We defined surgical success or failure by combining Patient Reported Outcome Measures and the need for repeat surgery. Risk factors for failure identified by multivariate analysis. RESULTS Of the 1344 women included, 336 had BC, and 1008 had MUS. Patients were followed-up for 13.1 and 10.1 years, and the rate of failure was 22% and 20%, for BC and MUS, respectively (P = 0.35). Significant predictors for MUS failure were Body mass index (BMI) > 30, preoperative anticholinergic medication use, smoking, diabetes, and previous surgery for incontinence (Hazard ratio 3.6, 2.6, 2.5, 1.8, 2.3, respectively). BMI > 25, preoperative use of anticholinergic medication, age > 60, previous surgery for incontinence, and loss of follow-up>5 years (Hazard ratio: 3.2, 2.8, 2.6, 2.5, 2.1, respectively), were significant predictors of BC failure. CONCLUSION This study shows similar predictors for surgical failure for BC and MUS, with high BMI, mixed urinary incontinence, and previous continence procedures being the most important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Zilberlicht
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Peter L DwyeR
- Department of Urogynaecology, Mercy Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Nir Kugelman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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Motamedi M, Carter SM, Degeling C. Transvaginal mesh in Australia: An analysis of news media reporting from 1996 to 2021. Health Expect 2023; 26:1189-1201. [PMID: 36811617 PMCID: PMC10154800 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transvaginal mesh (mesh) surgeries have been used to treat stress urinary incontinence (incontinence) and/or pelvic organ prolapse (prolapse). In Australia, as in many other countries, the harms caused by mesh eventually prompted individual and collective attempts to achieve redress. The rise of mesh surgery as a procedure, the experience of mesh-affected women and the formal inquiries and legal actions that followed all occurred in social, cultural and discursive contexts. One strategy to understand these contexts is to track how the mesh and key actors in the mesh stories have been portrayed in mass media sources. We conducted a media analysis of the most highly read Australian newspapers and online news media platforms, focusing on how mesh and the interaction of stakeholders in mesh stories were presented to the Australian public. METHOD We searched systematically in the top 10 most-read print and online media outlets in Australia. We included all articles that mentioned mesh, from the date of first use of mesh in Australia to the date of our final search (1996-2021). RESULT After early scant media reporting focusing on the benefits of mesh procedures, major Australian medicolegal processes created a hook to shift reporting about mesh. The news media then played a significant role in redressing women's experienced epistemic injustice, including by amplifying previously ignored evidence of harm. This created an opportunity for previously unreported suffering to be revealed to powerful actors, in settings beyond the immediate control and epistemic authority of healthcare stakeholders, validating women's testimony and creating new hermeneutic resources for understanding mesh. Over time, media reports show healthcare stakeholders responding sympathetically to these new understandings in public discourse, contrasting with their statements in earlier media coverage. CONCLUSION We argue that mass media reporting, in synergy with medicolegal actions and the Australian Senate Inquiry, appears to have provided women with greater epistemic justice, giving their testimony privileged epistemic status such that it was considered by powerful actors. Although medical reporting is not recognised in the hierarchy of evidence embedded in the medical knowledge system, in this case, media reporting appears to have contributed to shaping medical knowledge in significant ways. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION We used publicly available data, print and online media outlets, for our analysis. Therefore, this manuscript does not contain the direct contribution of patients, service users, caregivers, people with lived experience or members of the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Motamedi
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Stacy M Carter
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Chris Degeling
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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Zilberlicht A, Karmakar D, Dwyer PL, Chan G, Schierlitz L. Counseling for stress urinary incontinence in the era of adverse publicity around mesh usage: Results from a large-sample global survey. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2023; 160:579-587. [PMID: 35986609 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate doctors' opinions of the use of synthetic mesh for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and the effect on patient's attitude following recent adverse publicity and legal findings. METHODS Electronic survey approved by International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), distributed to their members. RESULTS A total of 593 respondents completed the survey. The preferred initial surgical treatment for SUI was retropubic midurethral sling (MUS) (62%), followed by trans-obturator MUS (19%), mini-slings (10%), and then bulking agents (5%). Despite prolongation of consultation, most respondents (87%) believed that clinicians should provide a patient information leaflet (PIL) for their patients. However, only 70% of respondents were doing this. Most participants would use either the IUGA PIL or their institution PIL (61%). Only 8% felt that patients have a positive preconception of synthetic mesh for SUI. Eighty-three per cent of respondents had not changed their recommendations for treatment and the consent process. A logistic regression model identified preferences of certain geographic areas as predictors of consenting practices. CONCLUSION Despite the negative publicity and the current medicolegal litigation involving MUS for SUI treatment, the majority of respondents still prefer this as the initial surgical treatment. Most clinicians value PIL in the surgical consent process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Zilberlicht
- Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center, Technion University, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
| | - Debjyoti Karmakar
- Department of Urogynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter L Dwyer
- Department of Urogynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Garson Chan
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Lore Schierlitz
- Department of Urogynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Temperley HC, Davey MG, O'Sullivan NJ, Ryan ÉJ, Donlon NE, Donohoe CL, Reynolds JV. What works best in hiatus hernia repair, sutures alone, absorbable mesh or non-absorbable mesh? A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Dis Esophagus 2022:6958659. [PMID: 36563005 DOI: 10.1093/dote/doac101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair (HHR) and fundoplication is a common low risk procedure providing excellent control of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and restoring of normal anatomy at the hiatus. HHR may fail, however, resulting in hiatus hernia (HH) recurrence, and the use of tension-free mesh-augmented hernioplasty has been proposed to reduce recurrence. Previous research on this topic has been heterogeneous, including study methods, mesh type used and technique performed. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were carried out. An electronic systematic research was carried out using 'PUBMED', 'EMBASE', 'Medline (OVID)' and 'Web of Science', of articles identifying HHR with suture cruroplasty, non-absorbable mesh (NAM) and absorbable mesh (AM) reinforcement. Eight RCTs with 766 patients were evaluated. NAM had significantly (P < 0.05) lower early recurrence rates (OR: 0.225, 95% CI 0.0342, 0.871) compared with suture repair alone; however, no differences in late recurrences were evident. For AM, no difference in early (0.508, 95% CI 0.0605, 4.81) or late (1.07. 95% CI 0.116, 11.4) recurrence rates were evident compared with the suture only group. Major complication rates were similar in all groups. NAM reinforcement significantly reduced early HH recurrence when compared with sutured cruroplasty alone; however, late recurrence rates were similar with all techniques. Given the limited data in comparing AM with NAM, this study was unable to conclude which composition was significant. We emphasize caution when interpreting small sample size RCTs, and recommend more research with larger randomized studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo C Temperley
- Department of Surgery, Trinity College and St James's Hospital, Dublin D08 NHY1, Ireland
| | - Matthew G Davey
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - Niall J O'Sullivan
- Department of Surgery, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin DO2 YN77, Republic of Ireland
| | - Éanna J Ryan
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - Noel E Donlon
- Department of Surgery, Trinity College and St James's Hospital, Dublin D08 NHY1, Ireland.,Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - Claire L Donohoe
- Department of Surgery, Trinity College and St James's Hospital, Dublin D08 NHY1, Ireland
| | - John V Reynolds
- Department of Surgery, Trinity College and St James's Hospital, Dublin D08 NHY1, Ireland
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Oxlad M, Edwards G, McKinlay KA. Patients' perspectives about doctor-patient communication regarding transvaginal mesh implant surgery. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:3534-3539. [PMID: 36114043 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Many women experience pelvic floor disorders which may require medical intervention such as transvaginal mesh implant surgeries (TVM; the abdominal or vaginal insertion of woven netting to support pelvic tissue). We examined women's perceptions of communication with their health professionals concerning TVM. DESIGN We analysed 153 women's written submissions to an Australian Government Inquiry regarding their experiences of transvaginal mesh surgery to explore their perceptions of TVM-related doctor-patient communication. Data were analysed using deductive and inductive reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Women expressed several challenges in their communication with their health professionals. Three themes regarding communication were generated: Insufficient information was abundant; Normalisation and minimisation of the procedure and risks; and, Desired communication interactions. CONCLUSIONS According to women's accounts, doctor-patient communication was poor. Health professionals must be knowledgeable about medical procedures and their potential complications and provide their patients with adequate, accurate information to make informed choices about their health. Health professionals should also document informed consent. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Health professionals should be well-informed about TVM, including best-practice treatments for pelvic floor disorders, indications for TVM, the risks, outcomes and potential complications from various forms of TVM, and ways to adequately communicate sufficient information to women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Oxlad
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Georgina Edwards
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Kate A McKinlay
- School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Fuschi A, Martoccia A, Al Salhi Y, Maggi M, Capone L, Suraci PP, Antonioni A, Bozzini G, Illiano E, Costantini E, Zucchi A, Cervigni M, Carbone A, Pastore AL. Sexual and functional outcomes after prolapse surgery: a randomized prospective comparison of trocarless transvaginal mesh and pelvic organ prolapse suspension. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2022; 407:1693-1700. [PMID: 35113228 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-022-02458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) related to pelvic organ prolapse represents a common condition that negatively impacts female sexual activity. Laparoscopic pelvic organ prolapse surgery (POPs) and the anterior repair with a trocar-less trans-vaginal mesh (TTMs) represent two different surgical techniques to treat SUI secondary to POP. This study aimed to report the results of these techniques comparing the sexual and functional outcome improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-nine sexually active female patients, complaining of urodynamic stress incontinence, were enrolled in this prospective study, and simply randomized in two groups: 29 POPs and 30 TTMs. All patients were studied at baseline and 6 months after surgery. Preoperative evaluation included medical history, urodynamic test, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and pelvic magnetic resonance defecography. Six months after surgery, all patients completed the FSFI and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and were investigated with a uroflowmetry test with post-void residual volume (PVR). RESULTS At 6 months after surgery, 87% of POPs patients and 79% of TTMs subjects resulted dry. No statistically significant results were obtained in terms of urinary outcomes between the two surgical groups. Regarding sexual function, POPs group exhibited a significant greater improvement of global FSFI (mean: 27.4; SD: 4.31) compared to TTMs group (mean FSFI: 23.56; SD: 2.28; p-value ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that POPs and TTMs lead to satisfactory and safe functional outcomes with a good recovery of urinary continence. Furthermore, POPs, when compared to TTMs, led to a greater improvement of sexual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fuschi
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
- ICOT - Surgery, Orthopedy, Traumatology Institute, Latina, Italy
| | - Alessia Martoccia
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Yazan Al Salhi
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
- ICOT - Surgery, Orthopedy, Traumatology Institute, Latina, Italy
| | - Martina Maggi
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
- Department of Urology, Sapienza Rome University, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Capone
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Paolo Pietro Suraci
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Alice Antonioni
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bozzini
- Department of Urology, ASST Valle Olona, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy
| | - Ester Illiano
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Science, Andrological and Urogynecological Clinic, Santa Maria Terni Hospital, University of Perugia, Terni, TR, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Costantini
- Department of Surgical and Biomedical Science, Andrological and Urogynecological Clinic, Santa Maria Terni Hospital, University of Perugia, Terni, TR, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zucchi
- Department of Translationals Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Cervigni
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
- ICOT - Surgery, Orthopedy, Traumatology Institute, Latina, Italy
| | - Antonio Carbone
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Antonio Luigi Pastore
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Urology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, ICOT, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.
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10
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Motamedi M, Carter SM, Degeling C. Women's Experiences of and Perspectives on Transvaginal Mesh Surgery for Stress Urine Incontinency and Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Qualitative Systematic Review. PATIENT-PATIENT CENTERED OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2021; 15:157-169. [PMID: 34609727 PMCID: PMC8866356 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-021-00547-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Trans Vaginal Mesh (TVM) surgeries have been used to treat stress urine incontinency (SUI) and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Systematic reviews of clinical studies of outcomes suggest that the procedures have benefited a majority of women, while noting that a small minority of women have experienced harms. To provide a more complete picture of outcomes, we conducted a systematic review of the qualitative literature to provide a comprehensive analysis of women’s own accounts of their experience. Method We conducted a systematic review and thematic synthesis of the evidence from the international qualitative literature on women’s experiences of and perspectives on TVM surgery for SUI and/or POP between 1996 and 2020. We retrieved 6587 papers from PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Sociological Abstracts. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria and full-text review of eligible articles, five articles were included in our systematic review. Results Findings from included articles were organised under three main themes: women’s everyday lives were transformed by TVM surgery; women’s expectations of and approach to their future lives; and women’s critiques of TVM surgery. The transformation of women’s everyday lives included a struggle to obtain recognition and support for their injuries before and after corrective surgery, ongoing limitations on their social, professional and personal lives, and compounding medical and psychological trauma as a result. Women’s approaches to their future lives changed because of this transformation; we identified five main approaches, four were ways of accommodating change, a fifth involved being unable to accommodate life changes. Women’s critiques included that TVM surgeries were overused, consent processes were poor, and surgeons’ definitions of success were deficient. Women expressed concerns about the safety of TVM products and future risks of further complications and discussed multiple system failures in the health care they received. Conclusion This review suggests that discounting women’s experiences has caused compound trauma and skewed the clinical evidence base; while harms occurred in a minority of women, we suggest they should be recognised as an ethically significant potential outcome. Approaches to TVM injury should attend to historical epistemic injustice and recognise women’s agency. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40271-021-00547-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Motamedi
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - Stacy M Carter
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Chris Degeling
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement Evidence and Values (ACHEEV), School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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11
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Offiah I, Freeman R. Long-term efficacy and complications of a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing retropubic and transobturator mid-urethral slings: a prospective observational study. BJOG 2021; 128:2191-2199. [PMID: 34478604 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are concerns regarding the risks of mid-urethral slings (MUS) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), particularly because of the lack of long-term data. We compare patient-reported outcomes of a multicentre randomised controlled trial of retropubic (TVT, GYNECARE™) versus transobturator (TOT, MONARC™) tape surgery at 12 years. DESIGN AND SETTING A multicentre study was performed in 11 tertiary referral centres. POPULATION A cohort of 180 participants from the original trial, the majority of whom had mixed urinary incontinence. METHODS Postal questionnaire survey of patient-reported outcome measures using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Improvement questionnaire (PGI-I) and a numeric rating scale pain questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Comparison of the efficacy and complications between the TVT and TOT procedures in the long term. RESULTS A total of 110/180 responses were received: 55 for TVT and 55 for TOT. The mean follow-up was 12.8 ± 0.29 years (SD). TVT was significantly superior to TOT: 41.8% TVT with no SUI, versus 21.8% TOT (P = 0.04). Urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) was the most bothersome urinary symptom: 14.5% of respondents reported UUI after TVT and TOT. This was an improvement from the baseline levels: 61.8% TVT and 76.4% TOT. Seventeen patients (9 TVT and 8 TOT) out of 121 reported moderate or severe pain with severe pain in 3 with TVT and 2 with TOT. Overall, 80% TVT and 77% TOT participants reported their symptoms as improved on the PGI-I. CONCLUSIONS TVT is superior to TOT for SUI cure. Efficacy is reduced by 12 years. There is low incidence of severe vaginal or groin pain. Careful patient counselling on long-term outcomes is required. The Retropubic tape appears to be an effective treatment for the majority of women with SUI. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Retropubic tape has superior efficacy to transobturator tape. Complications are comparable with low rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Offiah
- University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.,University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
| | - R Freeman
- University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK
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Zee RA, Clancy AA, Khalil H. Patient attitudes toward pooled surgical waitlists in urogynecology. Int Urogynecol J 2019; 31:311-317. [PMID: 31346655 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-019-04050-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS Pooled surgical waitlists are used to maximize the use of surgical resources; however, patients' views of this strategy are poorly understood. We sought to evaluate patients' attitudes toward a pooled waitlist for urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgical procedures. METHODS Patient and provider focus groups were used to inform the design of a survey that was distributed to patients at the time of consent for female pelvic reconstructive surgical procedures. All responses were collected anonymously. Patient attitudes toward surgical wait times and the potential for a pooled surgical waitlist were explored. Grouped responses by age, procedure type, and perceived disease severity were examined. RESULTS One hundred seventy-six patients were surveyed. Thirty-four percent were amenable to the option of a pooled surgical waitlist; 86% agreed or strongly agreed that they preferred to have their surgery performed by their own care provider. Only 18% would agree to be on a pooled surgical waitlist if it shortened their wait time. Older women (≥ 65 years) were more likely to disagree or strongly disagree that they "would like the option of having surgery done by the next available skilled surgeon" (56.2% vs. 72.0%, p = 0.028). Self-perceived severe disease and mid-urethral sling surgery were not associated with a higher acceptance of pooled surgical waitlists. CONCLUSIONS Acceptance of pooled surgical waitlists among urogynecology patients was overall low, irrespective of disease severity. Improving our understanding of urogynecology patients' concerns and potentially negative perceptions of surgical waitlists is needed to ensure patient comfort and satisfaction are not compromised if this strategy is adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah A Zee
- Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, 1967 Riverside Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1H 1A2, Canada
| | - Aisling A Clancy
- Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, 1967 Riverside Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1H 1A2, Canada
| | - Hisham Khalil
- Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, 1967 Riverside Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1H 1A2, Canada.
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