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Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020 May 19;251:98-105. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Objective: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) symptoms are prevalent during pregnancy and are mostly reversible thereafter. The pelvic floor muscles and their surrounding connective tissue support are estrogen-responsive. Breastfeeding is a condition of estrogen deficiency. Read More

Turk J Med Sci 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Background/aim: To investigate the risk of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurrence in women who were treated for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) in addition to vaginal hysterectomy (VAH) and antero-posterior colporrhaphy (CAP) over a 24 month follow up period.

Materials And Methods: A prospective randomized study was designed. Women without occult or obvious SUI were randomized into either one of the study groups: Group1: VAH+CAP, and Group2: VAH+CAP+SSLF. Read More

Obstet Gynecol Sci 2020 May 30;63(3):370-378. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Sophie-Marceau Women's Clinic, Daegu, Korea.

Objective: Dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) is associated with sexual dysfunction in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The EasyK7 device was developed to stimulate the PFM by surface electrical stimulation during sitting (SESdS). We investigated the effects of SESdS on PFM function and sexual function in women with SUI. Read More

Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the associated factors associated with pessary dislodgment in women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: A cohort study with women (N = 98) with advanced POP who chose conservative treatment with ring pessary between December 2016 and 2018 identified by screening. Demographic data, history of POP, urinary, and/or bowel symptoms were collected. Read More

Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Objectives: Traditionally, sacrospinous ligament fixation is performed unilaterally with a posterior dissection for correction of apical vaginal prolapse. There is limited information on alternative techniques including bilateral application and use of anterior vaginal dissection for this procedure. The objective of this study is to evaluate the anatomic and perioperative outcomes in women who have undergone bilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation through an anterior approach. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences Diyarbakir Gazi Yasargil Researchand Training Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Aim: We aimed to present the outcomes of five pregnant women who had laparoscopic pectopexy in their past.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed all female patients who underwent modified laparoscopic pectopexy between 2016 and 2018 at our hospital. Polypropylene monofilament mesh was used for the pectopexy procedure in 36 cases of women suffering from apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Read More

J Clin Med 2020 May 28;9(6). Epub 2020 May 28.

Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and the associated functional disorders are a major epidemiological problem that compromises the quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to POP and vaginal native tissue repair (VNTR) on QoL. Two hundred patients with symptomatic POP were stratified into four groups according to the dominant storage phase function disorders: Urgency; stress urinary incontinence (SUI); mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), and without clinically significant symptoms from lower urinary tract (LUT). Read More

Int Urogynecol J 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Neonatology, Sydney Medical School Nepean, The University of Sydney, 62 Derby Street, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Tears of the levator ani muscle are common after vaginal birth and associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Although such trauma is usually attributed to the first vaginal birth, epidemiological evidence suggests an additional effect of subsequent vaginal deliveries. Our hypothesis was: "The prevalence of avulsion increases with the number of vaginal births". Read More

Int Urogynecol J 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Gothenburg Continence Research Centre, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Introduction And Hypothesis: A systematic survey on the association between childhood nocturnal enuresis (CNE) and adult pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) has not been presented previously. The aim was to describe the prevalence of PFDs and lower urinary tract symptoms in nulliparous women, with or without a history of CNE, at the age of ≥ 5 years.

Methods: This national survey of urinary (UI) and fecal incontinence (FI) and symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (sPOP) was a random sample of 20,000 nulliparous women aged 25-64 years conducted in 2014. Read More

Int Urogynecol J 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

NorthShore University Health System, Skokie, IL, USA.

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2020 May 28:101795. Epub 2020 May 28.

Baskent University Medical School Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Teaching Hospital, Turkey; Baskent University Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Teaching Hospital, Turkey. Electronic address:

Study Objective: To evaluate the postoperative anatomic and functional outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic nerve-sparing sacrocolpopexy or sacrocervicopexy for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) POP-Q stage III and IV apical prolapse, and to delineate the contributing factors for recurrence. Study Design and Classification: The file records of patients who underwent sacropexy in the last five years were reviewed retrospectively and compared in terms of preoperative and postoperative anatomic findings and symptoms.

Patients: Patients who underwent laparoscopic nerve-sparing surgery for treatment of POP-Q Stage III and IV/prolapse of uterine or vaginal cuff were included. Read More

Neurourol Urodyn 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.

Purpose: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to reduce surgical morbidity and length of stay across various procedures. Our objective was to systematically evaluate the literature for best practices of ERAS elements in abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC), to determine if there is sufficient evidence to create best practice guidelines for this procedure.

Materials And Methods: Following the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, we performed a review using Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Read More

CMAJ Open 2020 Apr-Jun;8(2):E414-E419. Epub 2020 May 28.

Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ross, Fast, Slade) and Family Medicine (Miyagishima, Soos, Taylor, Drummond), University of Alberta; Women & Children's Health Research Institute (Ross), Edmonton, Alta.; Departments of Family Medicine (Garies, Jackson, Doraty, Drummond) and Community Health Sciences (Williamson), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.

Background: To date, there has been no validated method to identify cases of pelvic floor disorders in primary care electronic medical record (EMR) data. We aimed to develop and validate symptom-based case definitions for urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women, for use in primary care epidemiologic or clinical research.

Methods: Our retrospective study used EMR data from the Southern Alberta Primary Care Research Network (SAPCReN) and the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) in southern Alberta. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2020 May 24:101799. Epub 2020 May 24.

Gynecology-Obstetrics Unit, Conception Hospital, 147, Boulevard Baille. 13005, Marseille, France. Electronic address:

Introduction And Hypothesis: Treatment of anterior vaginal and/or apical prolapse by sacrocolpopexy is most often performed by systematic placement of two non-resorbable meshes, anterior and posterior, whether or not there is an associated posterior vaginal prolapse. We believe that isolated correction of an anterior vaginal and/or apical prolapse in the absence of posterior vaginal prolapse is not associated with a higher rate of de novo posterior vaginal prolapse.

Method: A prospective, observational, monocenter study performed in the Gynecology unit of the Conception UHC in Marseille from May 2011 to October 2014. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2020 Jun;135(6):1327-1337

Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of OB/GYN, Kaiser Permanente-San Diego, and the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California.

Objective: To compare the effect of same-day discharge on 30-day readmission risk after minimally invasive pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all minimally invasive pelvic reconstructive procedures with and without concomitant hysterectomy performed within a large managed care organization of 4.5 million members from 2008 to 2018. Read More

Lasers Surg Med 2020 May 26. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Hàalia Hàshnia 8, Technion, Haifa, 3109601, Israel.

Background And Objectives: Vaginal laxity lacks standardized diagnosis and severity criteria. It is considered as a subjective complaint that reflects decreased sexual satisfaction due to vaginal loosening. Treatment modalities have included physiotherapy and plastic surgery. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020 May 26. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Urogynecology, Santa Maria Dei Battuti Hospital, Conegliano, Treviso, Italy.

Purpose: To assess the subjective and objective outcomes of combined stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) and urogynecological surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse, with a 10-year follow-up.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study analyzing prospectively collected data from 53 consecutive patients who underwent combined stapled transanal rectal resection and urogynecological surgery, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007 at a tertiary referral Pelvic Floor Unit of an Italian hospital.

Results: Fifty-three patients with a median age of 60 years (interquartile range (IQR) 67-52t), underwent STARR and concomitant urogynecological surgery. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020 May 17. Epub 2020 May 17.

ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.

Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

From the Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medical College.

Objective: This study was to examine the impact of the July 2011 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety communication on the use of transvaginal mesh in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair by patients' race and ethnicity.

Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study of women undergoing POP repairs in 2008 to 2015 in New York State. We examined the changes in transvaginal mesh use in POP repairs before and after the FDA communication by patients' race and ethnicity. Read More

J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH.; MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.

Study Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the morbidity of vaginal versus laparoscopic hysterectomy when performed with uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS).

Design: Retrospective propensity-matched cohort study.

Setting: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.

Purpose: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) presents a common benign condition in women associated with reduced quality of life (QoL). The use of pessaries is considered a first-line treatment of POP. However, pessaries can cause perforations into adjacent organs resulting in fistulas. Read More

Int Urogynecol J 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.

Introduction: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the percentages of women choosing watchful waiting, pessary use or surgery as first-line treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Second, the rate and cause of discontinuation of pessary use were investigated.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 794 patients referred with POP at a Danish tertiary center for urogynecology at Aalborg University Hospital between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015. Read More

Int Urogynecol J 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

University of Health Sciences Istanbul, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 34180, Istanbul, Turkey.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The association between overactive bladder (OAB) and uterine prolapse remains unclear. The extent of the role of serum nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in this relationship is also not known. Therefore, our study evaluated the association among OAB, high-grade uterine prolapse and serum NGF levels. Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

Section of Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery, Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of anterior colporrhaphy (AC) versus transvaginal polypropylene mesh (PM) for the treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse (AVWP) at long-term follow-up.

Methods: Prospective and randomized controlled trial, 100 women with AVWP stage ≥ II assessed by the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q) underwent AC (control group) or PM insertion (mesh group). At baseline and at 60-month follow-up, safety profile, anatomical outcomes by POP-Q measurements and staging, subjective outcomes and quality of life (QoL) impact by ICIQ (SF and VV) and OAB-V8 questionnaires were assessed RESULTS: 76 women completed the study, 43 in Control versus 33 in Mesh group. Read More

Res Rep Urol 2020 7;12:179-185. Epub 2020 May 7.

Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Pelvic floor dysfunction is one of the most common disorders in women that is associated with social and economic consequences. In general, this disorder imposes direct and indirect costs on the economy of various societies. This review aimed to investigate pelvic floor dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Read More

Urology 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Electronic address:

Objective: To analyze inaccuracies in the news media reporting of the 2019 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban on surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods: We queried the NexisUni media-database for English-language news articles about "transvaginal mesh" or "FDA" published before and after the ban. Content analysis was based on discussion of the ban, indications for surgical mesh, and assessment of bias. Read More

Urology 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California.

Objective: To examine the rates of surgical repair of comorbid rectal prolapse (RP) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) over time in a large population-based cohort.

Methods/materials: We queried Optum®, a national administrative claims database, from 2003-2017. We evaluated female patients age 18 or older with a diagnosis of POP and/or RP. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2020 May 8. Epub 2020 May 8.

Department of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.

Background: Female pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), a common disease affecting women, has attracted a significant amount of attention in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in recent years. Pelvic floor disorders can induce urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse and other dysfunction, which seriously affect the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to analyze the current status of PFD in urban women in Xi'an City. Read More

Intern Med J 2020 May;50(5):523-526

The University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

On 10 October 2018, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt issued a national apology to the Australian women who experienced 'horrific outcomes' following surgery using transvaginal mesh-acknowledging the 'historic agony and pain that has come from mesh implantation'. This apology followed many decades of 'innovative' use of transvaginal mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. We use the case of transvaginal mesh to explore how clinical innovation may not only harm patients, but also entrench vulnerability and exacerbate existing inequities-in this case, those relating to gender. Read More

BJOG 2020 May 19. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Background: The use of mesh is controversial in the treatment of female pelvic organ prolapse.

Objectives: To systematically review the outcomes of sacrocolpopexy compared with transvaginal mesh surgery and to provide evidence-based suggestions.

Search Strategy: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials. Read More

World J Surg 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

Background: This study aimed to compare ventral mesh rectopexy (VMR) and pelvic organ prolapse suspension surgery (POPS) in management of patients presenting with rectal prolapse.

Methods: Our study was a prospective cohort trial in which 120 female patients with complete rectal prolapse were included, 60 patients had had VMR and the other 60 had had POPS as a surgical management for complete rectal prolapse. Results had been compared 6 months postoperatively regarding operative time, postoperative pain, hospital stay, complications of surgery including recurrence of the rectal prolapse, the efficacy of each operation in treatment of rectal prolapse and associated symptoms. Read More

Transl Androl Urol 2020 Apr;9(2):959-970

Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Departments of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.

The purpose of this article is to perform a scoping review of the medical literature regarding the efficacy, safety, and cost of robotic-assisted procedures for repair of pelvic organ prolapse in females. Sacrocolpopexy is the "gold standard" repair for apical prolapse for those who desire to maintain their sexual function, and minimally-invasive approaches offer similar efficacy with fewer risks than open techniques. The introduction of robotic technology has significantly impacted the field, converting what would have been a large number of open abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) procedures to a minimally-invasive approach in the United States. Read More

Prog Urol 2020 Apr 20. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Service d'urologie et transplantation rénale, hôpital de la Conception, Aix-Marseille université, AP-HM, 147, boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France. Electronic address:

Aim: The management of urology patient is currently disrupted by the COVID-19 epidemic. In the field of functional urology, there are clinical situations with a high risk of complication if management is delayed and a great heterogeneity of advisable reprogramming times after cancellation. A prioritization of functional urology procedures is necessary to adapt management during the COVID-19 crisis and to better organize post-epidemic recovery. Read More

J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020 May 13. Epub 2020 May 13.

Division of Urogynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Study Objective: To determine the objective and subjective outcomes of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using modified SureLIFT®, and to evaluate surgical complications and post-operative impact on quality of life (QOL) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Design: Retrospective cohort study SETTING: Tertiary-care university hospital PATIENTS: Patients with symptomatic anterior or apical pelvic organ prolapse of stage III and above INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery with modified SureLIFT® transvaginal mesh kit.

Measurements And Main Results: 83 women who underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery with modified SureLIFT® for symptomatic anterior or apical prolapse of stage III and above between April 2018 to January 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Read More

Curr Urol Rep 2020 May 15;21(7):26. Epub 2020 May 15.

National Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery, MedStar Washington Hospital Center/ MedStar Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.

Purpose Of Review: This article provides an overview of MRI as a dynamic imaging modality as well as recent updates on the role of MRI in the evaluation of female pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), rectal prolapse, and defecatory dysfunction.

Recent Findings: Pelvic floor disorders in women are common, and demand for treatment is high. Recently, multidisciplinary guidelines for dynamic MRI have been published to reflect this need. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 May 15;21(1):305. Epub 2020 May 15.

Nantes Université, Movement - Interactions - Performance, MIP, EA 4334, F-44000, Nantes, France.

Background: Animal studies have reported an increase in pelvic floor muscle stiffness during pregnancy, which might be a protective process against perineal trauma at delivery. Our main objective is to describe the changes in the elastic properties of the pelvic floor muscles (levator ani, external anal sphincter) during human pregnancy using shear wave elastography (SWE) technology. Secondary objectives are as follows: i) to look for specific changes of the pelvic floor muscles compared to peripheral muscles; ii) to determine whether an association between the elastic properties of the levator ani and perineal clinical and B-mode ultrasound measures exists; and iii) to provide explorative data about an association between pelvic floor muscle characteristics and the risk of perineal tears. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of OB/GYN, Kaiser Permanente-San Diego.

Background: Vaginal mesh attachment can be one of the most time intensive components of minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy.

Objective: To assess the impact on the duration of surgery of using absorbable anchors compared to interrupted sutures for vaginal mesh attachment in robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy.

Study Design: This is a single-masked, randomized clinical trial at 2 clinical sites in women with pelvic organ prolapse undergoing robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 May 13. Epub 2020 May 13.

Division of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY.

Background: Venous thromboembolic events (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are the most common cause of preventable deaths in hospitalized patients in the United States. Although the risk of VTE in benign gynecologic surgery is generally low, the potential for VTE in urogynecologic population is significant because the majority of patients undergoing Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) surgery have increased surgical risk factors.

Objective: To investigate incidence and risk factors for VTE within 30-days after different routes of POP surgery in a large, cohort population using the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP). Read More

Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

From the Northwestern University.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare levator hiatus (LH) and levator area (LA) on transvaginal 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) and genital hiatus (GH) size by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examination before and after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy.

Methods: Women with prolapse (POP) beyond the hymen undergoing minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy without concomitant POP repairs completed Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory short form (PFDI), POP-Q, and transvaginal 3D US before and 14 weeks after surgery. Data were analyzed by 2 urogynecologists, blinded to US image sequence and to corresponding POP-Q scores. Read More

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2020 Jul 19;112:110868. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China. Electronic address:

Biological meshes have always posed a challenge in biological medicine, for which nanocomposites with enhanced biocompatibility and antibacterial activity may be beneficial. In this study, lysozyme (LY) and collagen (Col) were alternately deposited on silk fibroin (SF) and nylon 6 (N6) composite nanofibrous mats using a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. The mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity of the LBL structured mats were characterized systematically to investigate the impact of the LBL process on the biological properties of SF/N6 nanofibrous mats. Read More

J Law Med 2020 Apr;27(3):618-633

Adjunct Fellow, School of Law and School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney.

Media reports suggest that between 2005 and 2014 an estimated 8,500 patients were injured (including 170 deaths) in Australia by defective medical devices. An Australian representative action against two manufacturers and a supplier of certain medical devices used for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse by three women representing over 700 registered class members alleging serious complications of vaginal mesh repair gave rise to a judgment in favour of the plaintiffs in late 2019. The judgment suggests that replacing a set of suspensory components of the levator ani muscle with a rigid matrix of mesh which provided strong support at the expense of flexibility may have been a misguided choice. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020 May 12;20(1):290. Epub 2020 May 12.

College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264000, China.

Ectopia vesicae, or bladder exstrophy, is a rare malformation, more frequently found in males. Very few cases of pregnancy with unrepaired ectopia vesicae have been reported in literature. The majority of these pregnant women with ectopia vesicae have terminated their pregnancies by cesarean section due to malpresentation, preterm labor or other indications. Read More

J Contemp Brachytherapy 2020 Apr 11;12(2):175-180. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.

Purpose: Primary vaginal cancer and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) combination is extremely rare. Although definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and brachytherapy (BT) is the standard treatment for advanced stage primary vaginal cancer, there is a limited data about the treatment of primary vaginal cancer combined with POP due to its rarity. In addition, radiotherapy (RT) process may be difficult in these cases and often result in more toxicity. Read More

Neurourol Urodyn 2020 May 11. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Intercommunal Hospital Center of Poissy-St Germain en Laye, Poissy, France.

Aims: We aimed to assess the value of the Valsalva urethral profile (VUP) in case of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods: Six hundred and ninety-four women without pelvic organ prolapse were included in this prospective monocentric study. SUI was diagnosed from symptoms using the International Continence Society definition, and severity using two validated questionnaires (USP and ICIQ-SF). Read More

Jpn J Nurs Sci 2020 May 11. Epub 2020 May 11.

Division of Nursing Science, Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.

Aim: To assess the effect of a pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) program on postpartum levator hiatus area.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a clinic in Japan. Training and control groups were recruited from outpatient pregnant women at two separate time periods. Read More

J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020 May 8. Epub 2020 May 8.

Department of Medical and Surgical Gynecology (Drs. Haverland and Yi).

Study Objective: To analyze outcomes and postoperative complications in patients undergoing robot-assisted rectus abdominis flap harvest for pelvic floor reconstruction.

Design: Case series.

Setting: Academic setting. Read More

Int Urogynecol J 2020 May 9. Epub 2020 May 9.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18, 1090, Wien, Austria.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Triage has become a valid tool to reduce workload during the first consultation in a specialized clinic. A nurse-led telephone intervention prior to the first urogynecologic visit reduces visit duration and increases patients' and physicians' satisfaction.

Methods: All patients scheduled for their very first visit were recruited. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020 Apr 18;250:48-53. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Service de Gynécologie -Obstétrique, Hôpital Tenon, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), UPMC, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; INSERM UMR_S_707, "Epidémiologie, Information des Systèmes, Modèles", Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6, France; UMR_S938 Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6, France.

Objective(s): With aging population, a rise in anterior wall prolapse surgery is expected. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of genital prolapse repair by the vaginal route using a mixed polypropylene and porcine skin mesh (Avaulta Plus®).

Study Design: Retrospective study conducted at Tenon University Hospital, Paris, France. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020 May 1;250:36-40. Epub 2020 May 1.

University of Turin, Turin, Italy. Electronic address:

Objectives: The association between pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is very common. When POP surgery is indicated and the patient has concomitant SUI, there are two treatment strategies: the one-step strategy (concomitant correction of POP and SUI) and the two-step strategy (correction of POP with subsequent evaluation of SUI). Guidelines from the International Continence Society and International Consultation on Incontinence recommend that a urodynamic assessment (UA) should be performed before surgery as this can reveal the presence of urodynamic SUI, but the role of UA is the subject of debate as it does not seem to improve treatment decisions. Read More

J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020 May 6. Epub 2020 May 6.

University of Miami Health Systems, Jackson Memorial Hospital. 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, Phone: 305-585-3771.. Electronic address:

Study Objective: Recently, there has been a paradigm shift towards uterine conservation during the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), specifically uterine prolapse. There are few reports on transvaginal uterosacral ligament hysteropexy (TULH). This study aimed to describe our surgical technique and outcomes. Read More