Biomedical subjects

Cindy L Amundsen

Publications and source records attributed to Cindy L Amundsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

In patients undergoing neuromodulation for intractable urge incontinence a reduction in 24-hr pad weight after the initial test stimulation best predicts long-term patient satisfaction.

AIMS: To evaluate long-term patient satisfaction of sacral neuromodulation and to correlate satisfaction with incontinence parameters. METHODS: Patients at least 1-year remote from sacral neuromodulation were mailed a questionnaire to evaluate satisfaction and assess incontinence symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were consecutively enrolled in the study. Forty-nine questionnaires (94.2%) were returned. The average interval between implantation and questionnaire completion was 27.2 (range 12-52) months. 83.7% of respondents were satisfied and 79.6% of patients would "do it all over again." Compared to dissatisfied subjects during test stimulation, the satisfied patients had a significant decrease in 24-hr pad weight (84.5% vs. 60.6%, P = 0.002) but did not differ in daily pad usage (4.5 fewer pads per day vs. 3.4, P = 0.190). At long-term follow-up, satisfied patients noted significantly greater improvement in their Incontinence Impact Questionnaire score versus dissatisfied patients (mean improvement 53 vs. 10 points, P = 0.0003). Using multiple logistic regression, change in 24-hr pad weight, but not change in average daily pad usage, was correlated with long-term satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Eighty-four percent of patients were satisfied with sacral neuromodulation at a mean of 27 months. An 84.5% reduction in 24-hr pad weight correlated with long-term patient satisfaction. In addition to lack of efficacy, device pain was a contributing factor to dissatisfaction.

Aged↗

PubMed2007

Predicting implantation with a neuromodulator using two different test stimulation techniques: A prospective randomized study in urge incontinent women.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a percutaneous needle electrode (PNE) technique or a surgical first stage lead placement (FSLP) better predicted whether a patient would progress to implantation of a pulse generator (IPG) in older urge incontinent women. METHODS: Thirty subjects > or =55 years with refractory urge incontinence who had been selected to undergo a test stimulation procedure were randomized to either PNE or FSLP. Thirteen underwent PNE placement and seventeen underwent FSLP placement. If during the test stimulation period subjects had greater than 50% improvement in their incontinence parameters they qualified for permanent lead and/or IPG implantation of the Interstim device. RESULTS: Twenty-one subjects (70%) responded to the test stimulation and underwent implantation, 15/17 (88%) in the FSLP group and 6/13 (46%) in the PNE group. Subjects who were randomized to the FSLP group were significantly more likely to proceed to implantation of the IPG (P = 0.02) than those in the PNE group. There was no significant difference in demographics, pre-test stimulation incontinence parameters or post-stimulation visual analog pain scores between the randomized groups or between test stimulation responders and non-responders. When comparing FSLP and PNE responders, there was no significant difference in the percent improvement in 24-hr pad weight, daily pad usage, or daily incontinence. CONCLUSION: FSLP better predicted progression to implantation of the IPG than a test stimulation with a PNE in an older urge incontinent cohort.

Aged↗

PubMed2007

A statistical comparison of pad numbers versus pad weights in the quantification of urinary incontinence.

AIMS: Pad per day (PPD) usage is a frequently utilized measure of urinary incontinence. The 24-hour pad weight test (24PWT) is a reproducible test for quantifying incontinence volumes. We investigated whether PPD validly reports the magnitude of urinary incontinence. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients undergoing stress incontinence surgery from July 2002 to 2005. Inclusion criteria were a documented 24PWT and patient-reported PPD usage. Grams of urine loss per pad (GPP) provided a third measure of incontinence. Descriptive statistics and correlations between all variables and significance were noted. Factor analysis was performed on the three measures of leakage and age for all patients over age 50. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five male and 116 female patients met inclusion criteria. Correlated against 24PWT, GPP has the strongest association with a correlation of 0.80 for males and 0.88 for females. PPD has a weaker correlation of 0.64 for males and 0.61 for females (R2 = 0.38 overall). Factor analysis identified two components associated with incontinence. A "leakage" component correlated best with 24PWT and GPP. Additionally, an "age" component implies that despite stable 24PWT values, older patients increase GPP while PPD decreases. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported PPD is an unreliable measure of incontinence as this variable only measures 38% of the variation of urinary incontinence volume. Patients at a given PPD level present with a wide range of 24PWT values. Older patients have higher per-pad leakage. Future incontinence studies should report 24PWT to ensure the most reliable and uniform data.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2006

Quality of life after surgery for genital prolapse in elderly women: obliterative and reconstructive surgery.

The objective of this study was to determine if obliterative and reconstructive vaginal surgery for advanced pelvic organ prolapse improve quality of life in elderly women. Women age 65 years or older with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse who desired surgical correction were prospectively enrolled. The subjects underwent either obliterative or reconstructive vaginal surgery based on their personal preference and sexual expectations. The subjects received a pelvic organ prolapse quantitation examination and completed the pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI), the pelvic floor impact questionnaire (PFIQ), the SF-36, and the Beck depression inventory preoperatively, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Seventy-nine subjects were enrolled, 70 of whom completed follow-up: 30 in the obliterative group and 40 in the reconstructive group. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the pelvic organ prolapse, urinary, and colorectal scales of the PFDI and PFIQ 6 and 12 months after surgery with no differences between the two treatment groups. In addition, there were significant and clinically important improvements noted in the bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health summary scales of the SF-36 in both groups after surgery, with no significant difference between groups. In appropriately selected elderly women, both obliterative and reconstructive vaginal surgery for advanced pelvic organ prolapse significantly improved health-related quality of life.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Sensory nerve injury after uterosacral ligament suspension.

OBJECTIVE: Uterosacral ligament suspension is a technique that is performed commonly to suspend the prolapsed vaginal apex. This case series describes our experience with the clinical evaluation and management of lower extremity sensory nerve symptoms after uterosacral ligament suspension. STUDY DESIGN: Hospital and office medical records from our 2 institutions were reviewed from January 2002 to August 2005, and all women who underwent uterosacral ligament suspension through a vaginal approach were identified. Women with symptoms of buttock and posterior thigh pain during the 6-week postoperative period were identified, and detailed clinical information was abstracted from the charts. RESULTS: From 182 uterosacral ligament suspension procedures, 7 women were identified. The age range was 42 to 70 years. Concurrent procedures included 6 vaginal hysterectomies, 5 anterior repairs, 4 posterior repairs, 2 slings, and 1 bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Within 24 hours of the surgical procedure, all the women experienced similar, substantial sharp buttock pain and numbness that radiated down the center of the posterior thigh to the popliteal fossa in 1 or both lower extremities. The ipsilateral uterosacral ligament suture was removed within 2 days of the procedure in 3 women who had immediate subjective reduction in their pain and complete resolution of pain by 6 weeks. The remaining 4 women were treated with gabapentin and narcotics. Three women had resolution of the pain by 12 to 14 weeks after the operation, and the last woman's pain resolved gradually by 6 months. CONCLUSION: Women who undergo uterosacral ligament suspension are at risk of postoperative pain and numbness in a S2-4 distribution. These symptoms appear to be related to the placement of uterosacral ligament sutures and may be relieved either by prompt removal of the ipsilateral uterosacral ligament suture or with prolonged medical therapy.

Adnexa Uteri↗

PubMed2006

The utility of magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and surgical planning before transvaginal periurethral diverticulectomy in women.

The objective of this paper is to report the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of urethral diverticulum in women. Medical records were identified by a query of urethral diverticulectomy billing data from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2004. Patient demographics, preoperative evaluation data, and surgical outcomes were collected. Twenty-seven women were diagnosed with a urethral diverticulum during the study period. The cohort presented with a variety of symptoms. The mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of a urethral diverticulum was 47 months. Seven (26%) women had a history of one or more prior diverticulectomies, and 8 (30%) had prior incontinence or other urethral surgery. Twenty-one (78%) had undergone a preoperative MRI, which detected the diverticulum in all cases. In three women, multiple other prior imaging studies had failed to identify the diverticulum despite clinical suspicion of its presence. MRI revealed an unsuspected intradiverticular carcinoma in one patient. Twenty-six women were treated with periurethral diverticulectomy, and one patient was treated with cystourethrectomy. Average follow-up was 9 (range 1-60) months. No patients had significant intraoperative complications. One patient was diagnosed (by MRI) with a recurrent diverticulum. The use of preoperative MR imaging altered the management in 15% of our patients. Furthermore, this study cohort had a long duration of complex symptoms with one-third having had prior urethral surgery. The use of MR imaging allows for accurate diagnosis and improved surgical planning.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Bladder diary volume per void measurements in detrusor overactivity.

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical usefulness of adjusting reference volume per void values for a recently reported strong tendency for volume per void to increase with increasing 24-hour volume in asymptomatic individuals. Our approach was to 1) test whether the adjustment increases the separation between volume per void measurements in patients with detrusor overactivity and an asymptomatic reference population, and 2) compare by regression analysis volume per void vs 24-hour volume relationships in patients with detrusor overactivity and asymptomatic volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 3-day bladder diaries in 29 patients with detrusor overactivity and without genuine stress incontinence, an age matched control group of 29 asymptomatic women and a reference population of 161 asymptomatic women. Minimum, maximum and average volume per void measurements were calculated. The incidence of volume per void measurements below the 10th reference percentile was used as the measure of separation between the detrusor overactivity and asymptomatic populations. RESULTS: In patients with detrusor overactivity volume per void showed a highly significant positive relationship to 24-hour volume (p <0.0005). However, patient data points tended to lie below and parallel to control data points. Adjusting for the 24-hour volume relationship significantly increased the incidence of volume per void measurements below the 10th reference percentile in patients with detrusor overactivity (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting for the 24-hour volume relationship increased the separation of patients with detrusor overactivity volume per void measurements from the reference population. Adjusting volume per void percentiles for the 24-hour volume relationship decreased the incidence of false-negative volume per void percentiles above the 10th percentile in patients with detrusor overactivity and false-positive volume per void percentiles below the 10th percentile in asymptomatic volunteers.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Obstruction after Burch colposuspension: a return to retropubic urethrolysis.

We compare our postoperative outcomes of a vaginal vs abdominal urethrolysis after an obstructed Burch colposuspension. We performed a retrospective review of all women who had undergone a Burch urethrolysis from 1997 through 2003. Data collected included pelvic examination, cystoscopic and urodynamic findings, surgical morbidity, and pre- and postoperative urogynecologic symptomatology. Sixteen women underwent Burch urethrolysis. Preoperative symptoms were obstructive in 6, overactive in 2, and both (obstructive/overactive) in 8. All had an acute retropubic angulation of the urethral axis as well as a retropexed urethra that prohibited sagittal rotation of a rigid cystoscope. Seventy-eight percent of the women with urodynamic information met urodynamic criteria for urethral obstruction. Average follow-up was 7 months, and of those undergoing a vaginal urethrolysis, three out of seven (43%) had resolution of their obstructive or overactive symptoms postoperatively. In contrast, seven out of nine women (78%) who underwent a retropubic urethrolysis had relief of their obstructive or overactive bladder symptoms. In our cohort study, an abdominal retropubic urethrolysis was more successful in relieving urethral obstruction than a vaginal urethrolysis.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2005

Patient characteristics and management of dermal allograft extrusions.

The objective of this study was to describe our rate of extrusion of dermal allograft material when used in anterior or posterior colporrhaphy and to review our success in treating extrusions with conservative management. A retrospective review of all subjects who underwent vaginal reconstruction using dermal allograft material from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2003 was performed. Demographics, medical history, and follow-up were evaluated. For subjects who developed an extrusion, treatment details were recorded. Sixty-nine subjects underwent colporrhaphy using dermal allograft material during the defined time period: 21 anterior, 45 posterior, and 3 both. Five subjects did not appear for follow-up. Seven subjects (10.9%) developed an extrusion: three subjects anteriorly and four subjects posteriorly. There were no differences between subjects with and without extrusions based on recorded risk factors. Median time to the discovery of extrusion was 4 weeks (range: 1-6 weeks). All patients were managed with estrogen vaginal cream. Median documented healing time was 13 weeks (range: 5-40 weeks), and no serious morbidity was encountered. Graft extrusion is an uncommon complication when reinforcing vaginal tissue with dermal allograft material and can be safely and effectively managed with vaginal estrogen and expectant management.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

Vascular anatomy of the presacral space: a fresh tissue cadaver dissection.

OBJECTIVE: To assess variability in the vascular structures of the presacral space and to estimate the risk of injury because of blind suture placement during sacral colpopexy. STUDY DESIGN: Ten fresh frozen female cadavers were evaluated. Three 0-polyester sutures were placed blindly through the peritoneum and around the midline of the anterior longitudinal ligament. The presacral space was dissected and the sutures examined for injury to vessels. The midline of the anterior longitudinal ligament was marked from the promontory to its inferior edge, and measurements were taken to the leading edge of vessels proximal to the presacral space. On a template, all vessels larger than 2 mm were drawn to scale and overlaid on the template. RESULTS: Unequivocal vascular injury was found in 5 cadavers because of blind sutures. Four injuries occurred to the middle sacral artery and 1 to the left common iliac vein. There was significant variability in location of vessels, particularly on the left side of the ligament. CONCLUSIONS: The vascular pattern of the presacral space is variable, and major vessels may deviate significantly from their expected positions. Surgeons should carefully expose this space prior to placing sutures during sacral colpopexy.

Arteries↗

PubMed2005

Abdominal sacral colpopexy with allograft fascia lata: one-year outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess 1-year outcomes of sacral colpopexy with the use of allograft fascia lata. STUDY DESIGN: Records of all subjects who underwent sacral colpopexy with allograft fascia lata from May 1, 2001, to April 30, 2003, were reviewed. Subjects underwent pre- and postoperative evaluation of prolapse with the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system. The Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the results. RESULTS: Allograft fascia lata was used for 24 colpopexies during this period. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications or graft erosions occurred. Five subjects were lost to follow-up after 3 months. Analysis was performed on the remaining 19 subjects. Prolapse of stage 2 or more in compartments Aa, Ba, Ap, Bp, and C was preoperatively 50%, 74%, 78%, 84%, and 68% and postoperatively 11%, 16%, 21%, 26%, and 5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Allograft fascia lata may be a suitable alternative to permanent mesh for sacral colpopexy, but longer-term outcomes and larger studies are needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Nocturnal polyuria in women with overactive bladder symptoms and nocturia.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of nocturnal polyuria in women complaining of nocturia and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and to identify clinical and health characteristics associated with nocturnal polyuria. STUDY DESIGN: Women presenting to a urogynecology clinic with complaints of nocturia and OAB symptoms were asked to participate. They completed a health characteristic summary, 3-day voiding diary, Nordic sleep questionnaire, urinary distress inventory (UDI), and a nocturia distress visual log (NDVL). The 24-hour urine production, nighttime urine volume, and maximum bladder capacity were calculated from the bladder diary. Nocturnal polyuria was defined as production of greater than 33% of the 24-hour urine volume during an 8-hour sleep period. A histogram was performed to analyze at what age the prevalence of nocturnal polyuria increased. Women were then divided by presence or absence of nocturnal polyuria and compared by the health and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Fifty-five women met the qualifications and participated in the study. Average age of the cohort was 65.8 +/- 13.5 years. The risk of nocturnal polyuria increased with age 65 years or older (prevalence for age 65-74 = 0.86 [0.62-1.00]) and with white race. On the basis of the mean population values for UDI, NDVL, sleepiness scores, and insomnia scores, all women were bothered by their nocturia. Median number of nighttime voids, 24-hour urine production, maximum bladder capacity, nocturnal index, UDI, NDVL, sleepiness scores, and insomnia scores did not differ, based on presence or absence of nocturnal polyuria. CONCLUSION: Among women complaining of nocturia and overactive bladder symptoms, age 65 years or older and white race appear to be risk factors for nocturnal polyuria.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Sacral neuromodulation for the treatment of refractory urinary urge incontinence after stress incontinence surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the response to sacral neuromodulation in women with refractory, nonobstructive urinary urge incontinence after stress incontinence surgery. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the medical records of women in whom sacral neuromodulation was performed for worsening or de novo urinary urge incontinence after a stress incontinence procedure. All patients had undergone preliminary test stimulation. Demographics, surgical and urogynecologic history, including bladder diary and pad weight test, and urodynamic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 34 women, 22 (65%) responded to the test stimulation and underwent permanent lead implant. There was no difference between responders and nonresponders with respect to type of stress incontinence surgery. Incontinence or urodynamic parameters were not different between responders and nonresponders. Factors that were predictive of a positive response were women aged less than 55 years (P = .01), the test stimulation performed within 4 years of the stress incontinence procedure (P = .01), and evidence of pelvic floor muscle activity (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Sacral neuromodulation is a viable option for the treatment of refractory urinary urge incontinence that occurs after stress urinary incontinence surgery. Older women with no pelvic floor activity who are remote from their incontinence surgery may have a suboptimal response.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗

PubMed2005

Sacral neuromodulation for intractable urge incontinence: are there factors associated with cure?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the variables that affect the cure rate in patients with urge incontinence treated with sacral neuromodulation. METHODS: This prospective analysis of patients with refractory urinary urge incontinence who underwent placement of a neuromodulator lead and generator was undertaken between October 2000 and December 2003. Quantitative assessment of the severity of their urinary leakage was assessed by preoperative and postoperative 3-day bladder diaries documenting leakage episodes, number of pads used per day, and a 24-hour pad weight assessment. Cure was defined as no daily leakage episodes after permanent implantation. Subjective outcome was assessed using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire. Two-sample independent t tests, two-way chi-square tests, and tests of two proportions were performed when appropriate, with P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: The mean postimplantation follow-up was 29 months, and the average age was 60 years (range 29 to 83). The cure rate was associated with age, with individuals younger than 55 years having a statistically significant greater cure rate (65% versus 37% for older individuals; P < 0.05). Having three or more chronic conditions was associated with a lower cure rate in both younger and older individuals. Patients with a neurologic condition also had a lower cure rate, but no specific neurologic condition was associated. CONCLUSIONS: Age older than 55 years and more than three chronic conditions were independent factors associated with a lower cure rate in patients implanted with a sacral neuromodulator for refractory urge incontinence. A neurologic condition may be associated with a decrease in the cure rate.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Functional outcomes of primary and secondary repairs of vesicovaginal fistulae via vaginal cuff scar excision.

Hospital and office charts of patients who underwent vaginal cuff scar excision for vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) repair from February 1998 to December 2002 at our institution were reviewed. Preoperative demographics and fistula characteristics were gathered. Intraoperative data included use of tissue flaps, blood loss, OR time and anesthetic type. Postoperative review included time to discharge, successful repair and postoperative urinary or sexual dysfunction. Forty fistula repairs were identified. Ninety-three percent occurred after a hysterectomy and no subjects had a history of radiation. Forty-two percent had failed at least one surgical repair of their fistula and 12% had failed two or more attempted repairs. Twenty percent of the fistulae measured 1 cm or more in diameter and the remaining 80% were 5 mm or less. Peritoneal flaps and martius flaps were performed in 32% and 5%, respectively. Postoperatively, 100% of subjects were evaluated at 3 weeks when the suprapubic catheter was removed and 93% were evaluated at 3 months or later. All subjects were cured of their fistulae at last contact. At 3 months postoperatively, 94% percent denied any urinary dysfunction and 85% had resumed sexual intercourse. Two sexually active subjects reported mild deep dyspareunia. Transvaginal cuff scar excision is an effective method for the primary and secondary repair of vesicovaginal fistulae and does not appear to cause postoperative irritative voiding symptoms or dyspareunia.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Transvaginal endoscopic removal of eroded mesh after abdominal sacral colpopexy.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal sacral colpopexy with permanent mesh has become the preferred abdominal technique for correcting posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Although rare, mesh erosion after sacral colpopexy is often challenging to manage. We report on 3 cases of mesh erosion after abdominal sacral colpopexy managed by transvaginal endoscopic removal of the mesh. CASES: The cases involve patients who underwent an abdominal sacral colpopexy and had vaginal mesh erosions within 3 years of their surgeries. Conservative and traditional transvaginal techniques failed, and the patients continued to complain of vaginal discharge. All patients underwent transvaginal endoscopic removal of the mesh and are cured of their chronic discharges. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal endoscopic removal is an effective, minimally invasive option for removal of eroded mesh after abdominal sacral colpopexy.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2004

The effect of botulinum-A toxin on patients with severe urge urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: We determined the effect of 150 units of botulinum-A toxin (Botox, Allergan, Irvine, California) on subjects with severe urge urinary incontinence (UUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an open label uncontrolled clinical trial. Subjects were recruited from the female urology and urogynecology clinics at Duke University. Inclusion criteria included evidence of UUI on 3-day bladder diary, a 24-hour pad weight of 100 gm or greater, absent or minimal stress leakage, absent detrusor dysfunction, and a history of failed anticholinergic and physical therapies. Exclusion criteria included evidence of a urinary tract infection, or other correctable or neurological etiology for UUI. The detrusor of each subject was injected with 150 units of botulinum-A toxin. Evaluations were performed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after injection. Outcome measures included daily incontinence episodes, Urogenital Distress Inventory and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, 24-hour pad weights, daily pad usage and urinalysis at all visits. Urodynamic studies were performed at the 6-week and 3-month visits. RESULTS: Three subjects had uncomplicated urinary tract infections during followup. No other adverse effects occurred. Statistically and clinically significant decreases greater than 50% were seen in virtually all outcome measures at all visits up to 3 months. Most subjects showed signs of recurrent UUI by 6 months. All subjects reported remarkable subjective improvement in incontinence. No significant changes in maximal cystometric capacity, maximal detrusor pressure, peak flow or post-void residual volumes were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum-A toxin can significantly decrease urge urinary incontinence and improve quality of life for 3 months after injection. Additional studies are needed to determine ideal doses, dosing intervals, safety and cost-effectiveness of this therapy.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Delayed presentation and successful repair of a recurrent vesicovaginal fistula after hysterectomy and primary abdominal repair.

Urogenital fistulae are an uncommon consequence of gynecologic surgery. Vesicovaginal fistulae due to gynecologic surgery generally appear 1-6 weeks after surgery and recurrent fistulae within 3 months of their repair. The pathogenesis of vesicovaginal fistula formation remains unclear. We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with a spontaneously recurring vesicovaginal fistula 21 months after abdominal repair of a vesicovaginal fistula caused by a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. During the repair of the fistula and excision of the vaginal cuff, two small fluid-filled cysts between the bladder mucosa and the vaginal epithelium were encountered. Vesicovaginal fistulae can occur spontaneously and remote from surgery. The finding of small fluid-filled cysts in the cuff suggests that rupture of a similar cyst may have led to the formation of the fistula.

Adult↗