Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT) for complex anorectal fistula: efficacy and risk factors for failure at 3-year follow-up

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the 3-year objective and subjective outcomes of patients with complex anorectal fistula treated with Video-Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT). Furthermore, we evaluated the risk factors associated with recurrence. Methods: All consecutive patients with complex anorectal fistula who underwent VAAFT in Beata Vergine Hospital of Mendrisio, Switzerland, from January 2013 to January 2016, were enrolled. Patients with suspicion or diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, malignancy, previous history of radiotherapy or radical pelvic surgery were excluded. Preoperative clinical assessment based upon medical history, physical examination and endosonography, was performed in all patients. Data regarding subjective outcomes (the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, patient satisfaction scores and Wexner score), objective cure rate (absence of fistula at clinical examination), and adverse events were collected during follow-up. Uni and multivariate analysis were performed to investigate outcomes. Results: One hundred and four patients had VAAFT. At 3-year follow-up, 96 patients (92.3%) were available for the evaluation. At 3 years after surgery, 81 of 96 patients (84.4%) declared themselves cured (p = 0.60). Similarly, at 3-year evaluation, 80 of 96 patients (83.3%) were objectively cured (p = 0.52). No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. All recurrences were treated with a repeat VAAFT procedure resulting in a complete healing. Uni and multivariate analysis of variables potentially involved in the failure of VAAFT showed that age ≥ 50 years was the only factor associated at risk of recurrence. Conclusions: VAAFT is a highly effective safe procedure for the treatment of anorectal fistula, with a low recurrence rate at 3-year follow-up. However, our study demonstrated that age ≥ 50 years is a risk factor for failure of VAAFT

What is this vaginal bulge? An atypical case of vaginal paraurethral leiomyoma. A case report and literature systematic review

Aim: Vaginal paraurethral leiomyomas are uncommon benign tumors of the female genitourinary tract. We report a case of anterior vaginal paraurethral leiomyoma. Furthermore, we performed a systematic review of the literature to provide information that can help the physicians in the diagnosis and management of women with this rare pathology. Methods: A case of anterior vaginal paraurethral leiomyoma in 53-year-old, primiparous, caucasian woman with history of pelvic pressure, vaginal bulging and overactive bladder symptoms, was described. Furthermore, a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement was performed between January 1, 2000 to Dec 30, 2019. Only articles that reported cases of vaginal or paraurethral leiomyoma (b) case series and case reports with literature review were included. Results: we screened a total 2281 records; 70 articles published from 2000 to 2019 were included. Conclusion: Vaginal paraurethral leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor of the vagina with a wide spectrum of symptoms and good prognosis. The recurrence and transformation into malignant condition are rare. Histopathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosis, but MRI and US can be help to define the size and localization of the tumor. Management requires surgical vaginal excision in the majority of cases; however, abdominal approach could be considered when it is large and located high in the vagina

Efficacy of 3 Tesla Functional Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Female Urinary Incontinence

Functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) is a new technique for the conservative treatment of Urinary incontinence (UI), based on magnetic induction. It induces controlled depolarization of the nerves, resulting in pelvic muscle contraction and sacral S2-S4 roots neuromodulation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the new 3 Tesla FMS chair, both in patients with pure stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and in women with pure overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. A prospective observational study was conducted in our urogynaecologic unit. All the patients involved were consecutive women with pure SUI or pure OAB symptoms treated by a 3 Tesla electromagnetic chair. The primary outcome was a subjective outcome evaluation by the PGI-I Scale and a patient-satisfaction scale. The secondary outcome was the change score of the UDI-6, IIQ-7, ICIQ-SF and OAB-q SF questionnaires from baseline to final visit. At 2 months follow-up, 28 out of 60 patients (47%) with SUI symptoms and 20 out of 40 patients (50%) with OAB symptoms declared themselves cured. Considering cured and improved patients, the subjective cure rates were 68.3% (41/60) and 70% (28/40) for patients with SUI and OAB symptoms, respectively. The results of this study showed that the 3 Tesla electromagnetic chair may be an effective option for the treatment of UI

The Learning Curve of Urodynamics for the Evaluation of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Background and Objectives: Urodynamics is considered the gold standard for lower urinary tract functional assessment. However, it requires very specific skills and training, which are currently difficult to master due to its reduced use. Moreover, no studies or data are available to define the workload and the learning curve of this diagnostic tool. As a consequence, we aimed to evaluate the learning curve of residents with no previous experience to correctly perform and interpret urody-namics, and properly address and manage patients with pelvic floor disorders based on urodynamics findings. Materials and Methods: This prospective study analyzed a series of proficiency parameters in residents performing urodynamics under consultant supervision, including the following: duration of procedure, perceived difficulty, need for consultant intervention, accuracy of interpretation, and therapeutic proposal. The number of procedures performed was then divided into groups of five to evaluate the progressive grade of autonomy (technical and full management autonomy) reached by each resident. Results: In total, 69 patients underwent urodynamics performed by three residents, with every resident performing at least 20 exams. Duration of procedure, perceived difficulty, need for consultant intervention, accuracy of interpretation, and the appropriateness of the hypothetical proposal of management/treatment based on their interpretation of clinical data and urodynamic findings was shown to be directly related to the number of exams performed. Technical autonomy in the execution of uroflowmetry was reached in the group performing 6\u201310 procedures, while technical autonomy in the execution of cystomanometry with pressure/flow study was obtained in the group of 16\u201320 procedures. The latter corresponded also to the gain of full autonomy which also included an optimal therapeutic proposal. Conclusion: We found that there is a tangible learning curve for urodynamics in terms of several proficiency parameters. A workload of 5 uroflowmetries and 15 cystomanometries with pressure/flow studies may be adequate to complete the learning curve