Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications
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ItemDetermining a threshold measurement of endometrial thickness for asymptomatic postmenopausal women: A tertiary centre case series(WILEY, 2022-12)BACKGROUND: An incidental finding of a thickened endometrium on ultrasound in the postmenopausal patient without bleeding is a common presentation to gynaecological services; however there is limited evidence to guide clinical practice as to when hysteroscopic evaluation and endometrial sampling is required. AIMS: To determine the endometrial thickness at which endometrial sampling is indicated in asymptomatic postmenopausal women referred with thickened endometrium on ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre retrospective case series of postmenopausal women without bleeding undergoing hysteroscopy was conducted. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between a range of variables and pre-malignant or malignant pathology and endometrial thickness. The optimal endometrial thickness threshold was identified to maximise model sensitivity. RESULTS: A total of 404 postmenopausal women were included in this study, having undergone a hysteroscopy at the study site between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2018. The mean (SD) age of patients at presentation was 65 (9.09) years and the mean body mass index was 29.86 kg/m2 (6.52). Of these women, nine (2.2%) were diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma and seven (1.7%) had endometrial hyperplasia with atypia. The most common histopathological finding was of a benign endometrial polyp (153: 37.9%). When including hyperplasia with or without atypia in histopathology of interest, a cut-off of ≥9 mm provides the greatest sensitivity (83.3%) and specificity (63.8%) for a diagnosis of pre-malignant or malignant pathology (classification accuracy of 64.8%; area under the receiver operating characteristic: 0.7358, 95% CI: 0.6439, 0.8278) in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Using an endometrial thickness of ≥9 mm can be used as a cut-off for endometrial sampling in postmenopausal women without bleeding.
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ItemVirtual clinics in gynaecology - Can we shorten the wait? A randomised controlled trial implementing a novel care pathway for postmenopausal bleeding(WILEY, 2022-10)BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB), a common symptom of endometrial cancer, necessitates prompt clinical and sonographic assessment, often followed by hysteroscopy. Unfortunately, due to traditional gynaecology outpatient clinic paradigms, unnecessary patient-clinician encounters are common and may lead to delays in diagnosis. AIM: The aim was to assess a novel clinic model for the management of women with PMB based on virtual assessment and routine use of the outpatient hysteroscopy clinic. METHODS: An unblinded pragmatic randomised controlled trial was performed, comparing a 'virtual clinic' to routine outpatient clinical care. The primary outcome for assessment was time, measured as the interval (days) between referral triage and discharge for definitive management or to the general practitioner. Demographical and clinical data were collected. After discharge from the system, patients completed a satisfaction and feedback questionnaire. Log-rank tests were used to compare the equality of time-to-event functions across randomised groups. RESULTS: There were 96 participants, 46 in the intervention arm and 50 controls. The total time spent in the gynaecology system differed between groups (Χ2 (1) = 6.94, P = 0.008), with a median total time of 55 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 37-66 days) for the intervention group compared to a median of 84 days (95% CI: 54-101 days) for the control group. The number of in-person gynaecology encounters differed between those randomised to intervention (P < 0.001). Overall, 96% of respondents indicated a positive score for overall satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed clinic model resulted in a significant reduction in the time between referral and discharge, without compromising patient satisfaction.
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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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ItemIntroduction of the MyoSureLITE in an established outpatient hysteroscopy clinic(WILEY, 2020-10)BACKGROUND: Endometrial polyps are a common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. The MyoSureLITE intrauterine morcellation device is effective at resecting endometrial polyps; however, its use in the outpatient setting requires appraisal. AIM: To assess the feasibility, utility, acceptability and costs associated with introduction of the MyoSureLITE into an established outpatient hysteroscopy (OPH) clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective clinical database from a tertiary Melbourne hospital was analysed from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2018. Three 12-month time periods were compared: pre-introduction and trial phase, early use, and established use of the MyoSureLITE. Wait times, patient acceptability, second OPH bookings and procedure costs were measured. RESULTS: Eight hundred and seventy-one women underwent OPH during the study period, with 238 (27.3%) women presenting with endometrial polyp(s). At each timepoint, 78.5, 25 and 6.3% of women required rebooking for a subsequent hysteroscopy for pathology otherwise suitable for MyoSureLITE resection. Introduction of the MyoSureLITE avoided a subsequent procedure for 4, 60 and 69 women respectively for each year of use, with potentially reduced treatment costs for the institution. Median (IQR) wait time for definitive treatment of intrauterine pathology was 56 (24-84) days at time-period 1, decreasing to 0 (0-0) days during time-period 3, (P < 0.001); 87.6% would undergo OPH again. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of the MyoSureLITE is effective, feasible, and acceptable to women. Provision of this device in outpatient service allows a 'see-and-treat' model, saving theatre time and treatment costs, facilitating a more direct throughput from presentation to treatment.
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ItemTubal interruption and subsequent surgery for pain after endometrial ablation: A retrospective cohort study(WILEY, 2021-12)BACKGROUND: Endometrial ablation (EA) is an alternative to hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), with reduced recovery time and fewer operative risks. However, post-ablation pain may be associated with subsequent surgery, including hysterectomy. It is uncertain what factors affect surgery rates for post-ablation pain, particularly with respect to timing and technique of tubal interruption. AIM: To evaluate the relationship between tubal interruption and post-ablation pain and subsequent surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 324 patients at a Melbourne tertiary hospital from 2009 to 2020. The primary outcome was subsequent pelvic surgery for pain following EA. RESULTS: Pain following EA was reported by 29.7% of patients, with 10.5% of patients undergoing subsequent surgery for pain. Patients with tubal interruption were more likely to undergo subsequent surgery for pain than those with no tubal interruption (odds ratio (OR): 3.49, 95% CI: 1.59-7.66; P = 0.002). Tubal ligation was strongly associated with subsequent surgery for pain (OR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.48-6.57; P = 0.003). In contrast, those with salpingectomy did not have an increased risk of subsequent surgery for pain, compared to those with no tubal interruption (OR: 1.5; 95% CI 0.32-7.13). Pre-ablation pain (adjusted OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.37-6.48; P = 0.006) and previous caesarean section (OR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.13-6.25; P = 0.025) were also associated with subsequent surgery for pain. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that tubal interruption, pre-ablation pain and previous caesarean section are associated with subsequent surgery for pain. These results can better inform preoperative counselling regarding the risk of subsequent surgery after EA.
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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.