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Alex Gomelsky

Publications and source records attributed to Alex Gomelsky.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Voiding dysfunction following removal of eroded synthetic mid urethral slings.

PURPOSE: Voiding dysfunction following genitourinary erosion of synthetic mid urethral slings is not clearly reported. We investigated the incidence of voiding dysfunction in patients following sling excision due to vaginal, urethral or intravesical mesh erosion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review identified 19 patients with genitourinary erosion of polypropylene mesh slings. Comprehensive urological evaluation was performed in all patients, and perioperative and postoperative data were analyzed. Voiding dysfunction was defined as refractory storage symptoms, emptying symptoms and pelvic pain. All subsequent medical and surgical interventions were recorded. RESULTS: In 19 patients a total of 11 vaginal, 7 intravesical and 5 urethral erosions occurred. Mean patient age was 52 years (range 32 to 69) and average followup was 8.4 months (range 3 to 34). Average time from symptom onset to sling removal was 10.1 months (range 1.5 to 38). Of the 19 patients 14 (74%) presented with multiple symptoms. Symptoms varied, including refractory pain, recurrent infections and bladder storage/emptying dysfunction. Urodynamic studies were abnormal preoperatively and postoperatively in 9 of 13 (69%) and 4 of 6 patients (67%), respectively. Following surgery lower urinary tract symptoms resolved completely in only 4 of the 19 patients (21%). Stress incontinence recurred in 8 of the 19 patients (42%). Five patients underwent simultaneous pubovaginal sling, of whom none had recurrent stress urinary incontinence. Only 9 patients (47%) considered themselves dry with no pads following surgery. Four patients required further surgery for refractory voiding symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Voiding dysfunction is not an uncommon finding after sling excision in the setting of genitourinary erosion. It may cause additional patient morbidity.

Adult↗

Histopathological evaluation of the uterosacral ligament: is this a dependable structure for pelvic reconstruction?

OBJECTIVE: To explore, by histological examination, whether the uterosacral ligament complex is an adequate support structure for vaginal vault suspension and other reconstructive procedures of the female pelvis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We dissected 14 fresh hemipelves from seven adult female cadavers. The uterosacral complexes were excised from the pelvic sidewall immediately beneath the uterosacral pedicle. The specimens were stained with connective tissue-specific Movat stain and evaluated microscopically for the presence of collagen and/or elastin. RESULTS: Uterosacral tissue similar to that identified during pelvic reconstructive surgery was obtained in all cases. Six of the women had had a hysterectomy. A ligamentous structure with clearly aligned collagen and interspersed elastin was identified in only three specimens, two from one cadaver of a young woman who had not had a hysterectomy. The other specimens had an attenuated, poorly organized layer of collagen immediately beneath the peritoneum. CONCLUSION: We could not consistently identify normal ligamentous tissue in the uterosacral complexes. The overwhelming majority of specimens from women who had had a hysterectomy showed disorganized tissue with reduced cellularity. This reinforces doubts about the integrity of these tissues as structural supports in pelvic reconstructive surgery, particularly in elderly women who have had a hysterectomy.

Adult↗

Porcine dermis interposition graft for repair of high grade anterior compartment defects with or without concomitant pelvic organ prolapse procedures.

PURPOSE: Recent literature suggests that graft interposition may decrease the incidence of cystocele recurrence. We describe our experience with porcine dermis interposition grafts for the repair of high grade cystoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all women who underwent surgical repair of high grade cystocele. Prolapse was graded with the Baden-Walker and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitation systems, and all patients were evaluated with multichannel videourodynamics. Concomitant stress urinary incontinence was corrected with a pubovaginal sling and vault prolapse was corrected with iliococcygeus vault suspension. Postoperatively patients were evaluated at 2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months and annually thereafter. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients underwent cystocele repair with a porcine dermis interposition graft. Concomitant procedures included a pubovaginal sling in 65 patients and vaginal vault suspension in 50. Mean followup was 24 months. There were no intraoperative complications. Of the patient 59 (91%) are currently dry. One patient had recurrent vault prolapse without cystocele (C -2), which was successfully repaired with abdominal sacral colpopexy. Six patients (8.6%) experienced recurrent grade II (Ba 0) cystocele but continued to be asymptomatic. Three others (4.3%) had recurrence of grade III (Ba +2) cystocele and elected not to undergo reoperation. Two of 6 de novo rectoceles (grade II, Ap and -1 and Bp 0) were repaired with site specific repairs. Superficial vaginal wound separation in 1 case was successfully treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of high grade cystocele interposition of porcine dermis represents a successful and safe treatment option. Cystocele recurrence is typically low grade and it frequently may not require additional surgery.

Animals↗

Urodynamic patterns following ischemic spinal cord events.

PURPOSE: The nature of bladder function following ischemic injuries to the spinal cord (vSCI) is poorly understood. We describe urodynamic (UD) findings in patients with vSCI and determined the optimal management of voiding dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1997 through September 2001, 18 patients were diagnosed with vSCI. All underwent neurological and urodynamic evaluation. The etiology of vSCI was abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in 10 patients, another surgical procedure in 4 and a spontaneous spinal cord infarct in 2. RESULTS: Two patients (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] class A) had detrusor areflexia or hyporeflexia and performed clean intermittent catheterization. Of the 10 patients assigned to ASIA class C 50% had UD evidence of abnormal compliance, unstable detrusor contractions and detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD). All 10 patients had thoracic or cervical sensory levels and 60% had detrusor hyporeflexia or areflexia. A single patient voided spontaneously, while the remainder performed continuous or intermittent catheterization. Five patients assigned to ASIA class D had no abnormal compliance, unstable detrusor contractions or DESD. Four patients voided spontaneously or by abdominal straining. The patients with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were a heterogeneous population. CONCLUSIONS: While the etiology or sensory level of vSCI does not appear to predict UD patterns with consistency, greater preservation of motor function may be associated with improved parameters. All patients with vSCI and lower urinary tract symptoms require thorough UD evaluation and ongoing surveillance is mandated because deterioration may develop with time. Clean intermittent catheterization may represent the most effective method of bladder emptying for patients unable to void voluntarily. However, early evidence of abnormal compliance and DESD has also been seen in these patients, underscoring the need for close UD surveillance.

Aged↗

Antibiotic prophylaxis in urologic prosthetic surgery.

The implantation of prosthetic devices is an ever-increasing practice in urologic surgery. The most common devices are penile prostheses, artificial urinary sphincters, synthetic pubovaginal slings, and bone anchors used for pelvic floor reconstruction and incontinence surgery. While their efficacy has been supported over time, infection and rejection are severe complications. Explantation of the entire prosthetic device has been the standard treatment of such complications, often necessitating long-term antibiotics and prolonged recovery before future reimplantation. The dense inflammatory response associated with prosthetic surgery may obliterate tissue planes and further complicate reoperative efforts. These factors support the need for effective antibiotic prophylaxis, with the goal of preventing bacterial seeding of the prosthesis during implantation. Antibiotic regimens should be effective against biofilm-forming bacteria, especially S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa, and vancomycin should be a mainstay. Prevention of intraoperative infection by treating existing skin and urinary tract reservoirs and employing strict sterile technique cannot be overemphasized. While data is scant, it appears that routine prophylaxis prior to dental procedures, in patients with urologic prostheses, is unwarranted; however, if the patient is immunocompromised or has severe comorbidities, prophylaxis should be employed.

Animals↗