[An initial lack of knowledge of the perineal anatomy does not influence the learning of intermittent self-catheterization in women]

AIM

To evaluate the impact of female perineal anatomy knowledge on the success of a first learning of intermittent self-catheterization (ISC).

METHODS

Thirty subjects benefited from educational diagnosis, training and follow-up during 2 visits in a neuro-urology department. Three knowledge anatomical tests were carried out: a freehand drawing, then a diagram to be annotated and a self-location of the following 6 structures (labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral meatus, vaginal orifice, anus) as well as a physiological knowledge test. A correction was made after annotating the diagram to perfect the learning process before performing the procedure.

RESULTS

Of the women studied, 83.3% had a neurological pathology and 77.7% had a gyneco-obstetrical history. Half of them had undergone perineal rehabilitation. Our study shows a lack of knowledge of the perineum prior to learning self-catheterization: 43.3% thought they knew it partially and 46.7% reported that they did not know it. Fifty-three percent of the subjects did not indicate the urethral meatus and 43.3% did not annotate the vaginal orifice on the diagram. Difficulties in anatomical transposition were observed: the urethral meatus was self-located in only 43.3% of subjects and 30% did not locate the vaginal orifice. Previous perineal rehabilitation was not benefical in the self-recognition of anatomical structures. However, all the patients, including those who did not initially locate the urethral meatus, acquired the technique of ISC.

CONCLUSION

Intial perineal anatomy ignorance in women was frequent but was not an obstacle to learning ISC.

LEVEL OF PROOF

4.

Public understanding of female genital anatomy and pelvic organ prolapse (POP); a questionnaire-based pilot study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Health literacy underpins informed consent and shared decision-making. In gynaecology, this includes understanding of normal anatomy and urogenital disease. This study evaluated public knowledge of external female genital anatomy and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

METHODS

A questionnaire study asked participants for their demographics and to label a female external genitalia diagram and included free-text questions on POP, its symptoms and treatment. Questionnaires were distributed at general outpatient (OPD) and urogynaecology (UG) departments at a UK teaching hospital. Differences in the number of correct anatomy labels between participant genders were assessed via chi-squared tests and, within female participants, multivariable linear and logistic regressions assessed associations with increasing correct anatomical labels and an understanding (versus no understanding) of POP, respectively.

RESULTS

Within 191 (n = 160 OPD, n = 31 UG), 9/103 (9%) labelled all anatomical structures correctly. Females had more correct labels (median 1, IQR 0,3) versus males (median 0, IQR 0,1), P = 0.022). Higher education (vs. < secondary) and white ethnicity were associated with greater numbers of correct labels [coefficient (95% CI): 1.05 (0.14, 1.96), P = 0.024, 1.45 (0.58, 2.33), P = 0.001 respectively]. Fifty-three per cent understood POP. POP understanding increased with increasing age, white ethnicity (OR: 4.38, 95% CI: 1.36, 14.08, P = 0.013) and more correct anatomy labels (OR: 1.43, 95% CI 1.14, 1.79, P = 0.002). Of those who understood POP, only 35% identified "bulge" as a symptom and 7% physiotherapy as a treatment option.

CONCLUSION

There was poor public understanding of external female genital anatomy and POP, which may have significant implications for health-seeking, shared decision-making and informed consent.

[Prospective forensic study on the characterization of genital examination in women with consented sexual activity]

OBJECTIVE

The number of women victims of sexual assault remains high, despite prevention and information campaigns. These victims can be adolescent girls, women of childbearing age or postmenopausal women. As part of examinations of victims of sexual assault, the morpho-anatomical diversity of the female genitalia requires knowledge of the physiological variations existing by the practitioners caring for these victims. Our work aimed to describe and characterize the genital examination of women with consented sexual activity.

METHOD

Our cohort consisted of 196 women aged 14 to 81, examined in the context of medical gynecology consultations in two French maternity hospitals.

RESULTS

Recent genital traumatic injuries were found in 12.8% of women whose last sexual intercourse was less than 5 days old. Intact hymens, free from traumatic tearing despite regular sexual activity, were present in 10.7% of these women.

CONCLUSION

Thus, in many cases, genital examination alone cannot confirm or deny the existence of prior sexual intercourse, whether or not it was consented to. The development of work on data on female genital anatomy would make it possible to optimize the medico legal care of victims of sexual assault.

Anatomy of the bulbus vestibuli: A cadaveric study

BACKGROUND

To describe the BV anatomy in detail, to compare previous BV descriptions and illustrations to the current study's findings and photograms, to show the BV topographic relation of the BV to the urethral meatus, to document the BV anatomy using photograms.

METHODS

Ten fresh human female adult cadavers were used. Stratum-by-stratum anatomical dissections in sagittal, transverse, and coronal planes were performed. The BV was dissected-off from the original location of the posterior-distal vaginal wall and the anterior anal wall.

RESULTS

The BV was located within the posterior-distal vagina and composed of two vertical legs, which fused to one another. The inferior pars intermedia fused both descending legs to the anterior-proximal perineal urethral wall, and BV embraced the anterior-proximal urethra. The superior pars intermedia connects the BV to the posterior-distal clitoral body. The BV legs traversed parallel to and aside from the vaginal introitus and the lateral urethra and not crossing the anterior-distal urethra. The tile-end was a tapered end which terminates in the vicinity of Bartholin glands. Laterally, the BV legs outspread to the medial labia minora and attach to the ischiopubic ramus. The anatomical site-specific defect (s) occurs within the BV.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study resolves the BV anatomical controversy and shows that the BV runs parallel to and aside from the anterior-distal urethra and the BV. The site-specific defect(s) can occur within the BV. This study provides important information for anatomy educators and surgeons.