Should Penicillin Allergy Testing Be Included as Part of Preoperative Testing?

INTRODUCTION

Penicillin allergy is the most commonly reported drug allergy in the United States. Patients labeled with penicillin allergy are at risk of receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics for surgical site infection prophylaxis, which can lead to increased antibiotic resistance, higher morbidity, suboptimal antibiotic therapy, and higher medical costs. This study aimed to determine the true prevalence of penicillin allergy among surgical patients and to decrease the unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who underwent urogynecologic surgery in 2017. In 2018, a quality initiative was started, and all patients reporting penicillin allergies were offered antibiotic allergy testing as part of their preoperative testing.

RESULTS

In 2017, 15% of patients reported penicillin allergy and 52% of them received surgical prophylaxis with broad-spectrum antibiotics. In 2018, 463 patients underwent surgery, 55 of whom reported penicillin allergy and were offered penicillin allergy testing. 35 (64%) agreed to proceed with testing, and of those tested, 33 (94%) tested negative for penicillin allergy.

CONCLUSIONS

94% of patients with stated penicillin allergy who consented to allergy testing proved to have negative test. Penicillin allergy testing should be considered as part of preoperative management.

A prospective, randomized trial comparing intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to bupivacaine, triamcinolone, and heparin (BTH), for newly diagnosed interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS)

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The primary aim of this study was to compare the effect of bladder instillations using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with triamcinolone versus bupivacaine, triamcinolone, and heparin (BTH) in women with newly diagnosed interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. The primary outcome was improvement in symptoms measured using the O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (ICSI) score. Secondary comparisons included changes in urinary frequency, nocturia, and bladder capacity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized study. Patients with a recent diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) were randomized 1:1 to treatment with either 6 weekly bladder instillations of DMSO with triamcinolone or BTH. During follow-up visits, patients completed the ICSI questionnaire, and bladder capacity was determined through the retrograde filling of the bladder. The χ² test or Student's t test were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients were randomized, and final analysis included 70 participants who completed the 6 weekly instillations (42 DMSO, 28 BTH). The groups were similar in baseline demographics and clinical characteristics, except for cystometric maximum capacity (DMSO 338.62± 139.44 mL, BTH 447.43 ± 180.38 mL, p = 0.01). In the DMSO group, 63% of patients had a greater than 29.5% reduction in total ICSI score versus 43% in the BTH group (p = 0.15). Nocturia and pain were significantly reduced in the DMSO group. There was a significant increase from baseline in bladder capacity for both groups.

CONCLUSION

In women with newly diagnosed IC/PBS, bladder instillations with DMSO and triamcinolone provide greater improvement in pain and nocturia compared to BTH.

Long term surgical outcomes of vaginal colposuspension using the Uphold Lite™ mesh system vs. vaginal vault uterosacral ligament suspension for treatment of apical prolapse

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare long-term outcomes (7-10 years) between vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension (VHUSLS) and sacrospinous hysteropexy with the Uphold™ Lite mesh System (SHU) for management of apical prolapse.

METHODS

Patients undergoing VHUSLS or SHU from 2008 to 2012 at a single tertiary referral center were included. Patients were contacted, asked to return for physical examination, and to complete the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) questionnaire. Our primary outcome was anatomic failure defined as Stage 2 POP or higher of any compartment. The secondary outcome was subjective changes in symptoms based upon PFDI-20 responses.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and two women were identified to have undergone the index surgeries from 2008 to 2012. Sixty-three agreed to return for follow up symptom evaluation and examination (30 VHUSLS and 33 SHU). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Clinical cure was high for both groups reaching 93.4 % and 94.0 % for the VHUSLS and SHU groups, respectively (p = 0.721). Anatomical success was lower with 44.7 % and 66.7 % of patients in the VHUSLS and SHU groups, respectively, meeting criteria for success (p = 0.138). There were no mesh complications among patients returning for exams. However, two patients who were contacted and were not interested in this study reported mesh complications and need for additional surgeries. Anterior vaginal wall support was noted to be significantly better supported for SHU (Ba -2.03 ± 0.75 vs -1.42 ± 0.92, p = 0.008). There were no differences between groups for overall PFDI-20 scores postoperatively. However, SHU patients reported higher rates of stress urinary incontinence compared to VHUSLS patients.

CONCLUSION

In women with apical prolapse, VHUSLS and SHU afford similar long-term outcomes. SHU patients reported higher rates of stress urinary incontinence.

Cognitive changes in women starting anticholinergic medications for overactive bladder: a prospective study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To assess cognitive changes in women 12 months after starting anticholinergic medications for overactive bladder syndrome (OAB).

METHODS

We present a prospective cohort study assessing changes in cognition in women seen in a referral urogynecology practice. We compared women who started anticholinergic OAB medications with women not on anticholinergic OAB medications. The primary outcome was change over time on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) screening score. At enrollment, women completed a baseline MOCA screening, a Geriatric Depression Screen (GDS), and an assessment of medications to create an anticholinergic burden score (ACB). At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after enrollment women were administered the MOCA, GDS, and a review of their medications and medical problems. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed effects model taking into account correlated error terms given multiple MOCA assessments at various time points per patient.

RESULTS

A total of 106 women were enrolled, 60 in the OAB medication group and 46 in the control (non-OAB medication) group. The mean age was 77 years, 93% of women were Caucasian, and 98% completed high school, with no difference between groups. Over time there was no difference in change of MOCA score between the OAB and control groups when controlling for age, GDS score, and ACB score (p = 0.78). This association did not change when women with a neurological diagnosis were excluded (n = 6). On average MOCA scores for the OAB group increased by 0.76 over 12 months and the control group increased 0.39, with no difference between the groups (p = 0.53).

CONCLUSIONS

We found no changes in MOCA scores between OAB medication and control groups after controlling for age, depression, and polypharmacy after 12 months of follow-up.

Postoperative pain and perceptions of recuperation after suture- and mesh-based apical sacrospinous ligament suspension

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence of postoperative pain after suture- or mesh-based sacrospinous ligament suspension (SSLS).

METHODS

In a retrospective study, data were reviewed from patients who underwent suture- or mesh-based SSLS at a center in Skokie, IL, USA, between 2006 and 2011. The primary outcome was self-reported postoperative pain scores (range 0-10) on the day of surgery (day 0) and 1 day later (day 1).

RESULTS

Overall, 90 women were included in the study: 66 underwent mesh-based SSLS and 24 underwent suture-based SSLS. Day-0 mean pain score was 4.65 ± 1.57 in the mesh group and 5.24 ± 1.44 in the suture group (adjusted P=0.159). Day-1 mean pain score was 4.06 ± 1.78 in the mesh group and 4.31 ± 1.21 in the suture group (adjusted P=0.596).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative pain did not differ between patients undergoing suture-based and those undergoing mesh-based SSLS. These observations should be considered in preoperative counseling of patients.

Predictive modeling and threshold scores for care seeking among women with urinary incontinence: The short forms of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Urogenital Distress Inventory

AIMS

To further the interpretability of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) and Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) by (i) evaluating the ability of these measures to distinguish between women with urinary incontinence who do and do not seek care, (ii) defining PFDI-20 and UDI-6 threshold scores above which women with urinary incontinence seek care, and (iii) developing a predictive model for incontinence care seeking.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted with two groups of women with urinary incontinence: 256 who had not sought care and 90 seeking initial care at a tertiary center. Sample sizes were based upon the prevalence of care seeking for urinary incontinence and the number of potential predictors for care seeking. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, receiver operating characteristics, and multivariable logistic regression were use to achieve the study aims.

RESULTS

Women with urinary incontinence who sought care had higher median PFDI-20 and UDI-6 scores compared to non-care seekers (73.96 vs. 16.67, P < 0.0001, and 41.67 vs. 8.33, P < 0.0001). A PFDI-20 score of 33.33 (83.33% sensitivity and 79.30% specificity) had very good discriminatory accuracy in distinguishing care and non-care seekers (AUC 0.886 ± 0.019 [95%CI 0.8518, 0.9254] P < 0.0001). A UDI-6 score of 25.00 (83.33% sensitivity and 83.59% specificity) had excellent discriminatory accuracy in distinguishing care and non-care seekers (AUC 0.9025 ± 0.0190 [95%CI 0.8653, 0.9398] P < 0.0001). A multivariable predictive model accurately identified 82.4% of care and non-care seekers.

CONCLUSIONS

A PFDI-20 score of 33.33 and UDI-6 score of 25.00 provide meaningful benchmarks for care seeking among women with urinary incontinence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:949-954, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vesico-ureteral reflux in women with idiopathic high-pressure detrusor overactivity: prevalence, bladder function, and effect on the upper urinary tract

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To assess the prevalence of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) and upper urinary tract damage in women with idiopathic high-pressure detrusor overactivity (IHPDO) and to characterize their bladder function.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of women diagnosed with IHPDO (detrusor pressures > 40 cm H2O during involuntary bladder contractions) from 2007 to 2010 was conducted. Women were assessed for VUR by X-ray voiding cysto-urethrogram. Renal ultrasound or CT urogram, serum BUN/creatinine, and urinalyses were performed if reflux reached the renal pelvices. Cystometric and voiding pressure study data were reviewed for detrusor overactivity pressure and volume, voiding dysfunction, urethral relaxation, compliance, and bladder outlet obstruction.

RESULTS

Sixty-five women were diagnosed with IHPDO, and 50 completed an X-ray voiding cysto-urethrogram. The median (range) detrusor overactivity pressure was 65 (41-251) cm H2O. Four (8.0%) women had IHPDO; none had upper urinary tract deterioration. The majority of women exhibited urethral relaxation with voiding, impaired compliance, and bladder outlet obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with IHPDO are at risk of low-grade vesico-ureteral reflux. However, most women with IHPDO are likely protected from reflux by intermittent exposure to high detrusor pressures and the ability to decompress the bladder by urethral relaxation.

An ileal endometrioma: of carcinoids and cadherin

A 38-year-old woman with history of prior adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome presented with intermittent right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and non-bloody diarrhea for 2 months. Symptoms were not related to her menstrual periods. Examination revealed only an ill-defined mass in the RLQ. Investigations for infectious causes, inflammatory bowel disease, and carcinoid tumor were negative. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a terminal ileal mass with mesenteric stranding and dilatation of the proximal bowel. At laparotomy, a fibrotic, terminal ileal mass with matted adhesions involving the mesentery and retroperitoneum was resected. Histopathological examination identified multiple foci of endometriosis extending from the serosal surface into the mucosa of the terminal ileum. Immunostaining revealed E- and P-cadherin, but not N-cadherin immuno-positivity. Mucosal involvement without cyclical menstrual symptoms and intestinal obstruction is an unusual presentation of intestinal endometriosis. Although the mechanism of endometriosis is not clear, the role of cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins has received attention. Increased expression of E- and P-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin expression in our patient demonstrates differential expression of these cadherins in endometriotic tissue. Future studies may investigate patterns of differential expression of these cadherins in a series of cases to elucidate the mechanisms of migration of endometriotic tissue.