Protocol for a prospective multisite cohort study investigating hysterectomy versus uterine preservation for pelvic organ prolapse surgery: the HUPPS study

IntroductionPelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descent of pelvic organs into the vagina resulting in bulge symptoms and occurs in approximately 50% of women. Almost 20% of women will elect surgical correction of this condition by age 85. Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) with concomitant vaginal vault suspension is a long-standing practice in POP surgery to address apical (uterine) prolapse. Yet, contemporary evidence on the merits of this approach relative to preservation of the uterus through suspension is needed to better inform surgical decision making by patients and their healthcare providers. The objective of this study is to evaluate POP-specific health outcomes and service utilisation of women electing uterine suspension compared with those electing hysterectomy and vaginal vault suspension for POP surgery up to 1-year postsurgery.Methods and analysisThis is a prospective cohort study planning to enrol 321 adult women with stage ≥2 POP from multiple sites in Alberta, Canada. Following standardised counselling from study surgeons, participants self-select either a hysterectomy based or uterine preservation surgical group. Data are being collected through participant questionnaires, medical records and administrative data linkage at four time points spanning from the presurgical consultation to 1-year postsurgery. The primary outcome is anatomic failure to correct POP, and secondary outcomes include changes in positioning of pelvic structures, retreatment, subjective report of bulge symptoms, pelvic floor distress and impact, sexual function and health service use. Data will be analysed using inverse probability weighting of propensity scores and generalised linear models.Ethics and disseminationThis study is approved by the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board at the University of Calgary (REB19-2134). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at national and international conferences, and educational handouts for patients.Trial registration numberNCT04890951.

Postoperative urinary retention after pelvic organ prolapse surgery: influence of peri-operative factors and trial of void protocol

Purpose Transient postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is common after pelvic floor surgery. We aimed to determine the association between peri-operative variables and POUR and to determine the number of voids required for post-void residuals (PVRs) to normalize postoperatively. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 992 patients undergoing pelvic floor surgery at a tertiary referral centre from January 2015 to October 2017. Variables assessed included: age, BMI, ASA score, anaesthesia type, type of surgery, length of postoperative stay, surgeon, bladder protocol used, and number of PVRs required to “pass” the protocol. Results Significant risk factors for POUR included: placement of MUS during POP surgery, anterior repair and hysterectomy with concomitant sacrospinous vault suspension. A total of 25.1% were discharged requiring catheterization. Patients receiving a concomitant mid-urethral sling (MUS) were 2.2 (95% CI1.6–2.9) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.8–3.1) times more likely to have elevated PVR after their second TOV and third TOV (p < 0.0001), respectively, compared with those without concomitant MUS. Permitting a third TOV allowed an additional 10% of women to pass the voiding protocol before discharge. The median number of voids to pass protocol was 2. An ASA > 2 and placement of MUS were associated with increasing number of voids needed to pass protocol. Conclusions While many women passed protocol by the second void, using the 3rd void as a cut point to determine success would result in fewer women requiring catheterization after discharge. Prior to pelvic floor surgery, women should be counselled regarding POUR probability to allow for management of postoperative expectations.

Table Sugar and Salt for the Reduction of Incarcerated Prolapse with Vescical Calculi- A Case Report

Incarcerated prolapse in association with bladder calculi is a rare occurrence. Table sugar and salt, which are both hygroscopic agents, have been used to reduce incarcerated bowel prolapse. Table sugar and salt was used in the following case of incarcerated procidencia with vescical calculi. Cystotomy with bladder stone removal was done by abdominal route. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoopherectomy was done with pelvic floor repair and vault suspension.

Prevention of vault prolapse in cases of procedentia using combined vaginal and laparoscopic approach for vault suspension: Agrawal’s technique

Background: The objective of the current study was to assess the need of vault suspension after completion of hysterectomy in all cases of procedentia to prevent vault prolapse and to reduce the operating time for sacrocolpopexy using combined vaginal and laparoscopic approach by two surgeons.Methods: A total of 25 women undergoing surgery for procedentia were included. After completion of hysterectomy the need for vault suspension was assessed intraoperatively. In all cases polypropelene mesh was fixed vaginally to the uterosacral and cardinal ligaments. Vaginal vault was closed vaginally. Laparoscopic surgeon did laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC). Intraoperative and post-operative complications were then evaluated.Results: Our average operating time was 35 minutes for vaginal hysterectomy and 15 minutes for LSC. The shorter duration of surgery was because mesh was fixed vaginally and trackers were used to fix the mesh to sacral promontory. Intraoperative complications like bladder, ureteric, bowel injuries and hemorrhage were nil in our series. Postoperative stay in hospital was uneventful and all cases were discharged on second postoperative day. Conversion rate to laparotomy was nil. All cases have completed follow up for 5 years with 100% subjective and objective improvement.Conclusions: Restoration of vagina to its normal anatomic position remains the most important fact to prevent vault prolapse. Our technique is very easy, less time taking with negligible complication rates.