A ligamentous explanation for overactive bladder symptoms as defined by International Continence Society in the female

A gynecological perspective of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome may offer cure in selected cases

Introduction

Recent publications of interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome cure by a gynecological prolapse protocol, run counter to traditional treatments such as bladder installations which do not offer such cure. The prolapse protocol, uterosacral ligament (USL) repair, is based on the 'Posterior Fornix Syndrome' (PFS). PFS was described in the 1993 iteration of the Integral Theory. PFS comprises predictably co-occurring symptoms of frequency, urgency, nocturia, chronic pelvic pain, abnormal emptying and post-void residual urine, caused by USL laxity and cured or improved by repair thereof.

Material and methods

analysis and interpretation of published data showing cure of IC by USL repair.

Results

In many women, USL pathogenesis of IC can be explained by the effect of weak or loose USLs weakening two pelvic muscles which contract against them, levator plate (LP) and conjoint longitudinal muscle of the anus (LMA). The now weakened pelvic muscles cannot stretch the vagina sufficiently to prevent afferent impulses from urothelial stretch receptors 'N' reaching the micturition centre where they are interpreted as urge. The same unsupported USLs cannot support the visceral sympathetic/parasympathetic visceral autonomic nerve plexuses (VP). The pathway of multiple referred pelvic pains is explained as follows: groups of afferent VP axons stimulated by gravity or muscle movements fire off 'rogue' impulses, which are interpreted by the cortex as end-organ chronic pelvic pain (CPP) from several end organs; this explains how CPP is invariably perceived in several sites. Reports of cure of non-Hunner's and Hunner's IC are analysed with diagrams which explain co-occurrence of IC with urge and phenotypes of chronic pelvic pain from several different sites.

Conclusions

A gynecological schema cannot explain all IC phenotypes, especially male IC. However, for those women who obtain relief from the predictive speculum test, there is a significant possibility of cure of both the pain and the urge by uterosacral ligament repair. In this context, it may well be in such female patients' interests, at least in the exploratory diagnostic phase, for ICS/BPS to be subsumed into the PFS disease category. It would give such women a significant chance of cure, something denied to them for now.

Tissue Fixation System ligament repair cures major pelvic organ prolapse in ageing women with minimal complications - a 10-year Japanese experience in 960 women

INTRODUCTION

Japan's ageing crisis has brought major prolapse and incontinence problems. We hypothesized the problem was collagen leaching out of ligaments which support organs and could be corrected by the TFS (Tissue Fixation System) minisling which uses 7 mm wide tapes to create new collagen for ligament reinforcement.We analysed our 10-year experience (2009-2019) with TFS minisling prolapse repair with regard to one main question: "Is this technology of benefit to the ageing Japanese population?".

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis from two tertiary referral units; 3100 tapes were implanted (variously) into cardinal, uterosacral, arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP), perineal body ligaments of 960 Japanese women (mean age 69.6 years), to repair POPQ 3rd or 4th degree prolapse (918/960), 50% under local anesthesia/sedation, remainder general/spinal anesthesia.

RESULTS

Patient discharge within 24 hours indicated minimal intra-operative problems. Prolapse cure at 12 months reached 90%. Complications requiring intervention were infected rectal perforation by tape, 3 delayed ileus complications. Eroded tapes (2.4-3.5%) were trimmed in the clinic. De novo long-term pain and major urine loss were virtually absent.

CONCLUSIONS

The TFS system works by restoring ligament support (pubourethral, ATFP, cardinal, uterosacral, perineal body), differently from mesh sheets which work by blocking organ descent, which can lead to fibrosis of the vagina, and may cause chronic pain and massive incontinence. We had no such problems, because tapes have small volume, are applied transversely, with little vaginal contact. Specific ligament reinforcement with collagenopoietic tapes seems to be an important new direction for aged women with major prolapse, with high cure rate, acceptable complications, low erosions and virtually no long-term pain.

Efficacy of Yun-Type Optimized Pelvic Floor Training Therapy for Middle-Aged Women With Severe Overactive Bladder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Yun-type optimized pelvic floor training therapy for middle-aged women with severe overactive bladder (OAB). Methods: This randomized, observer-blinded, parallel-group controlled clinical trial included 108 middle-age women with severe OAB and assigned them to the intervention group (treated with combination of Yun-type optimized pelvic floor training with solifenacin for 12 weeks) and control group (treated with solifenacin for 6 weeks and, after 2 weeks of elution, received the combination of Yun-type optimized pelvic floor training and solifenacin for 6 weeks). The outcomes associated with OAB, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, and sexual function were compared after 6 and 12/14 weeks of treatment. Results: The primary variables were OAB-associated outcomes, including overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), urgent urination, urine, nocturia, urge urinary incontinence, patient's perception of bladder condition, urogenital distress inventory-6, incontinence impact questionnaire-7, voiding volume, average flow rate, and maximum flow rate. The secondary variables were indicators related to PFM function and sexual function. These indicators were significantly improved in both groups after interventions. Notably, the improvements in most of these indicators were superior in the intervention group than in the control group after 6 weeks and 12/14 weeks of treatment. Conclusions: The use of Yun-type optimized pelvic floor training adds to the benefits of solifenacin regarding severe OAB-associated outcomes, PMF function, and sexual function in middle-aged women with severe OAB. Combining Yun-type optimized pelvic floor training with traditional drug therapies may improve clinical outcomes in patients with severe OAB. Trial Registration: ChiCTR-INR-17012189.

Association between overactive bladder and pelvic organ mobility as evaluated by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition, which negatively impacts patients’ quality of life. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), also prevalent in women, has been recognized as an important etiology of female OAB, although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain controversial. In this study, we reviewed findings of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) in 118 patients with POP and investigated the association between dMRI findings, including positions and mobilities of pelvic organs as well as parameters of pelvic organ support and bladder outlet obstruction (urethral kinking), and OAB in order to elucidate the pathophysiology of OAB in patients with POP. Our results showed that compared with non-OAB patients, OAB patients had a significantly higher body mass index, more severe pelvic floor muscle impairment, and more profound supportive defects in the uterine cervix (apical compartment). On the other hand, dMRI parameters showed hardly any significant difference between patients with mild and moderate to severe OAB. These findings may imply that levator ani impairment and defective supports of the apical compartment could be associated with the presence of OAB and that the severity of OAB could be affected by factors other than those related to pelvic organ mobility and support or urethral kinking.

Chronic pelvic pain of unknown origin may be caused by loose uterosacral ligaments failing to support pelvic nerve plexuses - a critical review

Introduction

Chronic pelvic pain of unknown origin (CPPU) affects the quality of life (QoL) of up to 20% of women. The 2005 Cochrane Review, based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), stated that the pathogenesis of CPPU is poorly understood and its treatment is empirical and ineffective. Totally ignored were the high cure rates from uterosacral ligament (USL) repair, the principal subject of this review.

Material and methods

We carried out a review of literature on USL causation, diagnosis, and treatment of CPPU, selecting only the literature relevant to USL.

Results

The first mention of CPPU being caused by lax USLs was in the pre-WWII German literature by Heinrich Martius. In 1993, CPPU was described as one of the 4 pillars of the posterior fornix syndrome (PFS- CPPU, urgency, nocturia, abnormal bladder emptying). Cure/improvement of CPPU was reported by widely geographically separated surgical groups using squatting-based pelvic floor exercises and by shortening and reinforcing USLs with tension tapes, literally a reverse transvaginal tape. Patients can potentially be cured either by native tissue ligament repair or in older women a posterior sling can be tested using a speculum test or even menstrual tampons.

Conclusions

This technology, based on USL pathogenesis, which can be tested for potential cure, non-surgical or surgical, offers hope for women for a condition previously considered incurable. Chronic pelvic pain, bladder and bowel incontinence occur in predictable symptom groupings, which are associated with apical prolapse. USL repair, whether native tissue or (preferably) using a posterior sling has the potential to improve clinical practice, QoL for women and open new research directions.