Gynaecologists’ views on the management of Vaginal Vault Prolapse: A qualitative study

Objective: This study examined gynaecologists’ experience and views on the management of vaginal vault prolapse (VVP) using laproscopic sarcocolpopexy (LSCP) versus open sarcocolpopexy (OSCP). Methods: In a qualitative study conducted at the University of Surrey and Homerton University Hospital, UK, from 2016 to 2017, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 consultants experienced in minimal access surgery or urogynecology. Interviews were recorded and transcripts were analyzed using the qualitative description (QD) approach. Results: Eight broad themes emerged: VVP management, LSCP for management of VVP, OSCP and vaginal surgery with or without mesh use in VVP management, laparoscopic training and support as well as surgeons’ attitude towards LSCP. All participants acknowledged the importance of LSCP in the management of post-hysterectomy VVP as benefits outweighed risks in their view. OSCP was considered suitable in very specific circumstances. Vaginal surgery could be an excellent alternative to OSCP bearing in mind long-term efficacy and sexual activity in young women. Most participants agreed with national recommendations to avoid use of mesh in vaginal surgery for VVP and expressed the view that it should be done in specialised centres by trained surgeons who do such operations. Conclusions: This study showed that the acceptability of LSCP was dependent on participants’ experience and consideration of the balance between patient’s goals and potential risks. It provides useful guidance for future large-scale projects. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5215 How to cite this:Al-Baghdadi O, Barnick C, Srivastava G, Elbiss HM. Gynaecologists’ views on the management of Vaginal Vault Prolapse: A qualitative study. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5215 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Comparison of transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation with abdominal sacrocolpopexy in treatment of post-hysterectomy vault prolapse-a prospective randomized study

Background: Vaginal vault prolapse is a common condition following abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy causing negative impact on women’s quality of life. The study compares the efficacy of abdominal and vaginal route surgery in correcting post-hysterectomy vault prolapse by postoperative assessment and at least twelve months follow up.Methods: A prospective comparative study among post-hysterectomy patients attending the GOPD of Midnapore Medical College diagnosed as vaginal vault prolapse at least stage2 between January 2013 to December 2019. The study population included 31 women divided into two groups-group A included 16 women underwent unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSF) and group B included 15 women underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC).Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean age, mean weight, mean parity and BMI, hence both groups are comparable. The mean operating time was 117±19.68 min in ASC group and 83.25±11.28 min in SSF group (p<0.005); significant mean blood loss was reported in ASC group (373±97.79 ml in ASC group versus 193.125±98.97 ml in SSF group, p<0.005), more hospital stays in ASC group (p<0.005) and more post operative complications in ASC group than SSF group. At follow up, the mean vaginal length showed significantly longer for ASC group than that of SSF group (p<0.005).Conclusions: ASC and SSF, both techniques are effective in management of vault prolapse in hands of an expert though recovery time is much quicker in SSF group.

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.

COMPARISON OF LAPAROSCOPIC AND ABDOMINAL SACROCOLPOPEXY FOR POST HYSTERECTOMY VAGINAL VAULT PROLAPSE REPAIR: META ANALYSIS

Objective: Comparing the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and abdominal sacrocolpopexy in vaginal vault prolapse post-hysterectomy’s patient. Method: Systematic search data is performed on medical database (PUBMED, Cochrane Database) using keyword:(1) vault prolapse [title] AND (2) laparoscopic[title] AND sacrocolpopexy[title]. Inclusion criteria:(1) randomized controlled trial and observational studies, (2) women with vaginal vault prolapse post hysterectomy, (3) intervention studied: laparoscopic (LSC) and abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC), (4) the entire fully accessible papers can be accessed and data can be accurately analyzed. Comparison about clinical outcomes of LSC and ASC was performed using narrative analysis and meta-analysis (RevMan). Results: Three studies compared clinical outcomes of LSC and ASC with a total of 243 samples (118 in LSC and 125 in ASC group). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between LSC and ASC (OR 1.10;95%CI 0.58-2.08). LSC was associated with less blood loss (MD 111.64 mL,95%CI-166.13 - -57.15 mL) and shorter length of hospital stay (MD -1.82 days;95%CI -2.52- -1.12 days) but requires a longer operating time (MD 22.82 minutes,95%CI 0.43-45.22 minutes). There was no statistically significant difference to anatomical outcomes (measurement of point C on POP-Q), subjective outcomes measured by PGI-I and reoperation numbers (repeat surgical interventions) for prolapse recurrence between LSC and ASC groups after one year of follow-up. Conclusions: LSC showed similar anatomic results compared to ASC with less blood loss and shorter length of hospital stay in management patient with vaginal vault prolapse.

A cohort study on safety for oocyte retrieval in IVF using the same 20G needle for local analgesia and retrieval. Vaginal cleaning did not add to the safety of the procedure

Aim of study: What is the effectiveness and safety of using a 20G single lumen needle (SLN) for both applying local analgesia (LA) in the vaginal vault and ovarian capsule and oocyte retrieval (OR) using a simple syringe? And will thoroughly cleaning (TC) of the vagina before reducing the risk of the puncture procedure? Using a thin SLN has been postulated to jeopardize cumulus oocyte complexes (COC). Further applying LA in the same needle without retracting the needle before OR has been claimed to harm oocyte development. Also, many clinics extensively clean the vagina before OR. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including 4983 women. 877 underwent no cleaning (nonTC) of the vagina and 4106 underwent TC using NaCl. All had OR with a 20G SLN attached to a syringe for local anaesthesia and egg collection. The treatments were done in one centre during the period from January 2016 to June 2019. We studied women undergoing IVF treatment aged 18–45 years. Women had either thoroughly vaginal cleaning before OR or no cleaning depending on the physicians preferences. All women had LA using Citanest Dental Octapressin 2ml. placed in the vaginal vault in the direction of the intended puncture including in the ovarian capsule. Therefore, only one puncture was needed in both sides, left and right. All punctures were hereafter followed by OR using the same 20G SLN. Aspiration was done by a 20ml syringe handled manually by the physician. All women underwent a conventional antagonist protocol with FSH stimulation and Ovitrelle 250IU for induction or Mild Stimulation using Tamoxifen, FSH and Ovitrelle. Outcome measurement were bleeding measured by the necessity of applying compression after the puncture or infection observed up to 1 month. Results: Baseline characteristics including age, BMI and type of stimulation were comparable between the groups. In the nonTC group no infections, bleedings or abscesses were found. In the TC group there were 1 abscess observed. Intact COC was similar in the two groups as well as pregnancy rates. Conclusion: During OR in ART the use of a 20G SLN using the same needle for LA and hereafter, without changing needle in the puncture channel, continue with the egg collection (EC) is simple and safe. In this situation TC is not necessary before puncture, making the procedure more patients friendly. In women undergoing oocyte retrieval for IVF, we found the use of a 20G SLN for both applying LA and retrieving COC safe, effective and simple. Additional TC of the vagina before puncture did not add more to the safety of the procedure.