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Harriette M Scarpero

Publications and source records attributed to Harriette M Scarpero.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Management of refractory urinary urge incontinence following urogynecological surgery with sacral neuromodulation.

AIMS: We sought to explore our patient outcomes utilizing sacral neuromodulation in the management of refractory urinary urge incontinence following urogynecological surgical procedures. METHODS: A total of 25 women with urinary urge incontinence following urogynecological surgery were selected for SNS therapy and retrospectively analyzed. All patients completed a comprehensive urological evaluation. Clinical data was recorded to determine outcomes and identify parameters that would be predictive of response to neuromodulation. Outcomes were determined via subjective patient questionnaire and graded as follows: significant response (> or =80% improvement), moderate response (> or =50% and <80% improvement), and poor response (<50% response). RESULTS: Nineteen patients had a previous pubovaginal sling (10 with concomitant pelvic prolapse repair), 3 a previous retropubic suspension, and 3 a transperitoneal vesicovaginal fistula repair. Urethrolysis was performed in 4 patients to alleviate bladder outlet obstruction prior to sacral neuromodulation. Mean patient age was 59.8 years and length of follow-up was 7.2 months. Twenty-two women (88%) had the IPG placed during a Stage 2 procedure. Twenty patients maintained at least a 50% improvement in clinical symptoms at last follow-up and 6 patients were continent. Overall, the number of pads/day improved from 4.2 to 1.1 (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in response to neuromodulation based upon age, duration of symptoms, type of surgery, or urodynamic parameters. CONCLUSION: Sacral neuromodulation appears to be an effective therapy in patients with refractory urge incontinence following urogynecological surgery. Larger prospective studies with longer follow-up are needed to assess the durability of this therapeutic modality.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Vesicovaginal fistula following a transobturator midurethral sling procedure.

Synthetic mid-urethral slings are currently the most common surgical procedure performed for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. The transobturator mid-urethral sling technique was originally described in 2001 and has since become widely accepted due to its high rate of success and low complication rate. Although complications remain infrequent, when they do occur, there is potential for significant patient morbidity. We report a case of a vesicovaginal fistula following a transobturator mid-urethral sling procedure and describe successful reconstruction with transvaginal sling excision, fistula closure, and placement of an autologous pubovaginal sling.

Female↗
PubMed2006

High yield of urodynamics performed for refractory nonneurogenic dysfunctional voiding in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE: In the pediatric population urodynamic evaluation for nonneurological causes has been previously reported as a low yield endeavor when considering patients with a primary diagnosis of dysfunctional voiding. We evaluated the rate of clinically significant urodynamic findings that would drive therapeutic intervention for a spectrum of urological disorders in pediatric patients without neurological deficit in whom initial conventional management had failed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who had undergone urodynamics in the last 7 years. Patients with known neurological deficits were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 805 pediatric urodynamic evaluations were performed from December 1997 to July 2004 at our institution, including 89 in patients with no known neurological diagnosis and charts available for review. Of the urodynamic studies 33 (37.1%) were reported as normal and 56 patients (62.9%) had clinically significant discoveries. Storage phase abnormalities were the predominant finding in 37 patients (66.1%), including uninhibited detrusor contractions in 31 (55.4%). Emptying phase abnormalities were less common (19 patients or 33.9%). There was no difference in the percent of patients with positive urodynamics findings depending on sex. CONCLUSIONS: In our analysis evaluation of all recent urodynamics performed at a single institution revealed a high rate of pathological findings in patients with various nonneurological diagnoses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

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↗
PubMed2006

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↗
PubMed2006

The effects of isolated posterior compartment defects on lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic findings.

OBJECTIVES: To determine any significant patterns among subjective and/or objective storage or voiding variables in women with isolated rectoceles or posterior enteroceles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 23 women with isolated posterior compartment defects. Patient histories, physical examination findings, catheterized postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) after uroflowmetry, and urodynamic evaluations were reviewed. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were classed as pure storage (urgency, frequency, nocturia, etc.), pure voiding (hesitancy, straining, positional voiding, etc.), or mixed. RESULTS: The mean (range) age of the women was 67 (48-85) years. On physical examination, 15 women had a grade 3 defect, and eight a grade 2 defect. Thirteen women reported symptoms related to their prolapse (vaginal bulge, splinting with defecation): nine reported pure storage symptoms, one pure voiding symptoms, and 12 mixed symptoms; two women relied on catheterization for bladder emptying. Only one woman reported no LUTS. An elevated PVR (>100 mL) was found in 11 women (48%). Urodynamic studies were available for 17 women, and revealed detrusor overactivity in nine of them. There were low maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax < or = 15 mL/s) in 12 of the 17 women, and high voiding pressures at Qmax (P(det.Qmax) > or = 20 cmH2O) in 10. Both findings were present in seven of the 17 women. There was evidence of abdominal straining to void in nine of the 17 women. CONCLUSIONS: The overwhelming majority of women with isolated posterior compartment defects reported bothersome LUTS and most had abnormal urodynamic variables. The findings suggest that significant posterior prolapse defects can cause bladder outlet obstruction.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Are patient symptoms predictive of the diagnostic and/or therapeutic value of hydrodistention?

INTRODUCTION: Hydrodistention (HD) has been utilized as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in patients with refractory and diverse pelvic floor symptoms, including bladder pain with or without irritative bladder symptoms such as urinary urgency and urinary frequency. We sought to determine whether we could better define in whom HD was a more valuable intervention by stratifying patients according to presenting symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 185 patients who underwent HD at our institution by a single surgeon between 1/2002-8/2004. Subjects were placed into groups according to their symptoms. Group 1 (G1) patients reported pain with bladder filling that was relieved with emptying, group 2 (G2) reported constant pelvic pain unrelated to bladder filling or emptying, and group 3 (G3) reported urgency and frequency alone with no pain component. Anesthetic capacity, presence and severity of glomerulations post-distention, and follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: G1 included 40 patients with mean age of 42 (R = 16-77), G2 included 101 patients with mean age of 46 (R = 20-76), and G3 22 patients with mean age of 40 (R = 20-84). The mean anesthetic capacity was 715 ml, 725 ml, and 542 ml for G1, G2, and G3 respectively. ANOVA revealed a statistically significant reduction in the capacity of G3 when compared with the others (P = 0.0072). Glomerulations were present in 74% of G1, 72% of G2, and 86% of G3 patients. 61%, 33%, & 0% of G1 patients reported improvement at 1, 3, and 6 months respectively, 54%, 25%, & 7% of G2 patients reported improvement, and 50%, 19%, & 7% of G3 patients reported improvement. There were no statistically significant differences in the responses amongst the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although HD is frequently employed for patients with refractory pelvic pain and/or lower urinary tract complaints, results failed to identify any statistically significant differences in post-distention objective findings (anesthetic capacity, glomerulations) or therapeutic benefits when patients are categorized according to presenting symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Patient perception of videourodynamic testing: a questionnaire based study.

PURPOSE: We determined the degree of anxiety, embarrassment and discomfort anticipated by patients before undergoing videourodynamics and compared the results to the actual degrees experienced by patients. In addition, we compared these variables between men and women, and younger and older patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing urodynamics for the first time were given a 2 part questionnaire. Patients with neurological disease or those requiring an indwelling or intermittent catheter were excluded. Part 1 given immediately prior to the test contained 5 questions regarding expected anxiety, pain, embarrassment, apprehension regarding x-ray exposure and preparedness. Part 2 given immediately after testing contained 5 questions comparing anticipated to actual overall experience, pain and embarrassment, preparation and whether the patient would undergo testing again. Each question had a 5 point scale. RESULTS: A total of 78 men and 88 women respondents completed the questionnaires. Most (greater than 95% per question) expected no to moderate anxiety, pain, embarrassment and apprehension. This did not vary with age, although more women anticipated greater embarrassment and more men expected little or no embarrassment (p <0.001). After testing most respondents (greater than 90% per question) thought that the test was the same or better than expected and it was associated with an expected or less than expected level of pain and embarrassment. This did not vary between the sexes but more younger individuals found that the test experience was worse than expected, while more older individuals found that it was better than expected. Of the patients 95% would undergo urodynamic testing again if medically indicated. CONCLUSIONS: Videourodynamics is well tolerated and is associated with only minimal to moderate degrees of anxiety, discomfort and embarrassment. A suspected lack of tolerance should not be a barrier to performing medically indicated urodynamic testing.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Voiding dysfunction in young, nulliparous women: symptoms and urodynamic findings.

The objective was to determine urodynamic findings in young, premenopausal, nulliparous women with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms and assess whether or not symptoms are predictive of specific urodynamic abnormalities. The records of 57 women were reviewed. Those with neurological disease or a primary complaint of stress incontinence were excluded. All completed the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) and underwent videourodynamics. Symptoms were compared in patients with and without bladder dysfunction and/or voiding phase dysfunction. Bladder dysfunction was diagnosed in 86% of patients with urge incontinence vs. 17% of those without (p<0.0001). Patients with voiding phase dysfunction had higher total and voiding AUASI scores. Occult neurological disease was later diagnosed in 4 women (24%) with urge incontinence and bladder dysfunction. Urge incontinence and voiding symptoms are frequently associated with urodynamically demonstrable abnormalities. Urge incontinence and bladder dysfunction may be a sign of occult neurological disease in this population. The presenting symptoms are useful in determining the utility of urodynamics in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Degree of bother caused by nocturia in women.

AIMS: The prevalence of nocturia in women has been studied, but its severity has not been categorized based on degree of bother. The number of nighttime voids that defines clinically significant nocturia has not been established. The objective of this study was to establish how bothersome nocturia is in women and to determine whether number of nighttime voids correlates with the degree of bother. We also sought to determine if this correlation was affected by age or continence status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of 1,214 neurologically healthy women that presented to a female urology office were reviewed. All women completed the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) and the symptom problem index (SPI). Question no. 7 of the AUASI assesses the number of voids per night and question no. 3 of the SPI assesses the bother of nighttime voiding. The correlation of these two variables was evaluated using a proportional odds model. RESULTS: Mean age was 54.6 years (18-93). 87.3% complained of waking at least one time per night to void. Bother score increased as the number of nightly voids increased, irrespective of age or continence status. The proportional odds model showed that as the number of voids increases 1 value on AUASI, the odds of having an increase in bother increases 2.7 times (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: As the number of nighttime voiding episodes increases, the bother increases, independent of age or continent status. Based on the degree of bother, we propose that clinically significant nocturia in women be classified as two or more episodes per night.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Sling failures: what's next?

The pubovaginal sling has been used to treat anatomic, functional, and recurrent stress urinary incontinence for decades with excellent results. Nevertheless, enthusiasm for the pubovaginal sling is tempered by the surgical morbidity and postoperative voiding dysfunction associated with it. New modifications such as alternative sling materials, bone anchor suspension, and midurethral slings have been developed to reduce operating time and surgical morbidity. The less invasive approaches are now well recognized and midurethral slings have become the most common procedure performed for stress urinary incontinence. Despite the ubiquity of sling procedures in all of their forms, there is no consensus on the management of sling failures. Recent literature suggests that similar to primary genuine stress incontinence, recurrent stress urinary incontinence as a result of sling failure is being successfully managed with less invasive techniques.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2003

Muscarinic receptors: what we know.

An understanding of muscarinic receptors is tantamount to an understanding of overactive bladder. The M(3) muscarinic receptor subtype is responsible for detrusor smooth muscle contraction and it exerts an exocrine function in the salivary glands. Alterations in the receptor's response to acetylcholine as a result of injury may lead to hypersensitivity and overactivity. The M(2) receptor subtype, which is mainly responsible for cardiac function, is the muscarinic receptor of highest proportion in the detrusor. M(2) also may play a role in detrusor contraction in injury and pathologic states. Muscarinic antagonists are the mainstay of pharmacotherapy for overactive bladder, but those that are available are not tissue specific. Growing knowledge of the nuances of receptor-ligand behavior and interaction between muscarinic receptors subtypes may provide novel targets for future drug development, improve efficacy, and reduce bothersome side effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

American Urological Association Symptom Index for lower urinary tract symptoms in women: correlation with degree of bother and impact on quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To determine first whether the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) correlates with the degree of bother caused by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women and whether the association varies with a woman's age and continent status; and second, whether the AUASI and degree of bother caused by symptoms correlate with a woman's quality of life (QOL) and whether the association varies with a woman's age and continent status. LUTS occur in women and may produce significant bother and affect their QOL. The AUASI has been used to evaluate LUTS in female patients; however, its correlation with the degree of bother and QOL has not been clearly established in women. METHODS: The charts of 1232 women who completed the AUASI, as well as the Symptom Problem Index and global QOL question, were reviewed. Spearman's rank order correlation was computed to assess the correlation between the AUASI and Symptom Problem Index. It was also computed after stratifying the women's age and continence status (continent versus incontinent). A linear regression model was applied, with the AUASI and Symptom Problem Index as the response variables and QOL as the continuous explanatory variable. RESULTS: The mean age was 54.6 years. Six hundred women (49%) were incontinent. Spearman's rank order showed a strong correlation between symptoms and problems caused by symptoms (0.858, P <0.0001). The correlation existed throughout various age groups and was independent of coexisting incontinence. The symptoms correlated with QOL in a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The AUASI accurately described LUTS in women and, as with men, is a good indicator of the degree of bother and affect on QOL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Repeat urethrolysis after failed urethrolysis for iatrogenic obstruction.

PURPOSE: Bladder outlet obstruction is a potential complication of all stress incontinence surgery. Urethrolysis successfully relieves 65% to 93% of cases. We determined the success of repeat urethrolysis after failed initial urethrolysis to relieve obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 24 women who underwent repeat urethrolysis for iatrogenic obstruction after at least 1 previous attempt. Aggressive repeat urethrolysis was performed via a retropubic or transvaginal route depending on the clinical scenario and surgeon discretion. Outcomes measured were patient ability to void spontaneously without catheterization, decreased post-void residual urine and resolution of lower urinary tract symptoms, particularly urge incontinence. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 55 years (range 38 to 80). The initial incontinence procedure was a pubovaginal sling in 10 cases, retropubic suspension in 9, needle suspension in 4 and anterior colporrhaphy in 1. A total of 23 patients had previously undergone transvaginal urethrolysis, while 1 had undergone retropubic urethrolysis. The repeat procedure was retropubic in 12 women (50%), transvaginal in 10 (42%) and combined in 2 (8%). Mean time between initial and repeat urethrolysis was 9 months (range 1 to 3). Mean followup was 14 months. Postoperatively 20 of the 22 patients (91%) who were catheter dependent no longer needed to catheterize. Post-void residual urine normalized in the 2 patients who had not been catheter dependent but who had had elevated post-void residual urine. Thus, repeat urethrolysis successfully eliminated urinary retention in 22 of the 24 cases (92%). Mean post-void residual urine before and after repeat urethrolysis was 334 versus 44 ml. (p <0.001). Irritative symptoms and urge incontinence completely resolved in 12% of cases, were improved and required medication in 69% and remained the same in 19%. No patient had new onset irritative symptoms. Stress urinary incontinence recurred in 4 of the 22 women (18%) and persisted in the 2 in whom it had been present before urethrolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive repeat urethrolysis can be highly successful for relieving iatrogenic retention. Complete resolution of irritative symptoms and urge incontinence is less likely. Recurrent stress urinary incontinence is similar to that after primary urethrolysis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Management of urinary retention and obstruction following surgery for stress urinary incontinence.

Urethral obstruction is a potential consequence of all types of anti-incontinence surgery. Not all patients will present in frank urinary retention: the surgeon must have a high index of suspicion to make the correct diagnosis in these cases. Important considerations in the diagnosis of these patients include the timing and methodology of evaluation. Formal urethrolysis in a variety of approaches has demonstrated similar cure rates and recurrent stress incontinence rates. Sling incision may provide an easier and less morbid approach to relieving obstruction caused by a pubovaginal sling with equal efficacy. The procedures are described and recent outcomes discussed.

Humans↗