Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications
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ItemWe live in a virtual world: Training the trainee using an integrated visual reality simulator curriculum(WILEY, 2022-08)BACKGROUND: Gynaecology trainees struggle to obtain adequate procedural experience. Training programs integrating virtual reality simulators (VRS) have been suggested as a solution. AIMS: The study aimed to assess if a VRS training program (LapSim® , Surgical Sciences, Göteborg, 2017) improved live operating performance at six months for novice and experienced trainees. Additional outcomes included the association between LapSim® logged time and live operating performance at six months, LapSim® scores and live operating performance at zero and sixmonths and the difference in benefit for novice and experienced gynaecology trainees. METHODS: A prospective intervention study was conducted. Novice and experienced trainees were enrolled, and comparisons made at zero- and six-month time points. The intervention groups were provided with a laparoscopic gynaecology curriculum incorporating VRS. Controls underwent routine training only. Assessment of live operating performance was conducted after six months training. RESULTS: Thirty-five trainees participated, and 25 had access to the VRS curriculum (17 novice and eight experienced trainees). Access to the VRS curriculum and time spent training on the LapSim® made no difference to live operating ability for either intervention group (P > 0.05). The median (interquartile range) hours of VRS usage were 7.9 (4.5-10.8) and 6.0 (4.0-6.8) for novice and experienced trainees respectively. The intervention group provided positive feedback on the utility of VRS in their laparoscopic skill development. CONCLUSION: Optimal utilisation of VRS in Australian training paradigms remains incompletely understood. Further research is required to establish the most effective integration of VRS into training models to ensure uptake and transferability to the operating theatre.
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ItemHysteroscopic management of retained products of conception: A systematic review(WILEY, 2022-02)BACKGROUND: The management of retained products of conception (RPOC) is not well standardised due to a lack of evidence-based guidelines. Hysteroscopic resection has been proven to be safe and is hypothesised to have lower risk than dilation and curettage, but data comparing the two directly are limited. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes for hysteroscopic resection for the management of RPOC in comparison to current standard management techniques. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in September 2019 using MEDLINE, Scopus, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The key search terms were 'hysteroscopy'/'hysteroscopic resection' and 'retained products of conception'/'RPOC'. Both prospective and retrospective studies were included. A total of 19 studies were included (n = 2314). Due to a critical risk of bias in all studies with a comparison arm, a meta-analysis was not performed. Meta-analysis techniques were still used to provide summary estimates for primary and secondary outcomes, including conception rate, time to conception, live birth rate, intrauterine adhesions (IUAs), surgical complications and future pregnancy complications. RESULTS: The overall conception rate for hysteroscopic resection was 81.1% (live birth rate 87.3%) compared to 65.4% for non-hysteroscopic management (live birth rate 93.8%). After hysteroscopic resection the overall complication rate was 1.9% and the IUA rate was 6.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the poor quality and overall scarcity of comparative data, the question whether hysteroscopic resection is superior to traditional curettage for the management of RPOC remains unanswered. This review provides summary data, which will enable the design of adequately powered future studies.
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ItemBotulinum toxin A (Botox) injection into muscles of pelvic floor as a treatment for persistent pelvic pain secondary to pelvic floor muscular spasm: A pilot study(WILEY, 2021-10)BACKGROUND: Persistent pelvic pain (PPP) remains an important cause of morbidity. Pelvic floor muscle spasm is an important contributor to PPP. AIMS: The study's primary aim was to assess if botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection to pelvic floor muscles altered pain scores or quality of life (QoL) at six, 12 and 26 weeks. Secondary aims included investigating the impact of BoNT on opiate usage, examining the role of pain catastrophising, and assessing for complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre prospective cohort study enrolled 21 patients with PPP who had failed physiotherapy techniques. Each participant underwent BoNT injection to muscles of the pelvic floor and pudendal nerve block. Questionnaires and digital vaginal examinations were conducted at baseline, six, 12 and 26 weeks. Pain score quantification used visual analogue scales (VAS) and numerical rating scales (NRS). Other outcome assessments included The World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQoL-BREF), Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS), and modified Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ). ACTRN12620000067976. RESULTS: Following BoNT injection, median VAS scores decreased for all domains at six and 12 weeks, with VAS for dyspareunia significant at six weeks (P = 0.026). Scores returned to baseline by 26 weeks. Opiate usage was significantly less following BoNT injection, with a percentage reduction of 23.8% (95% CI -48.3 to 0.7, P = 0.06). Sexual function improved significantly (P < 0.01), and at six months, four previously apareunic participants reported successful penetrative vaginal intercourse. Health-related QoL and PCS demonstrated sustained improvement (P = 0.02-0.05). NRS for muscle tenderness decreased for all assessed muscle groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: BoNT requires further assessment as a treatment modality for select women with PPP.