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Biomedical subjects

S L Stanton

Publications and source records attributed to S L Stanton.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter rupture using the overlap technique.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of a new technique of primary overlap anal sphincter repair instead of end-to-end repair. SETTING: A teaching hospital and a district general hospital. METHODS: Between June 1995 and November 1996, two obstetricians repaired 32 anal sphincters ruptured during vaginal delivery. A ruptured internal sphincter was repaired separately and the torn ends of the external sphincter were overlapped and sutured with 3/0 polydioxanone sulphate sutures (Ethicon, Edinburgh, UK). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bowel function, clinical assessment, anal endosonography and manometry performed at a mean of 140 days after delivery. RESULTS: Eight percent of the women experienced incontinence of flatus. Fifteen percent had persistent sonographic external sphincter defects, and 44% had internal sphincter defects. The maximum mean resting pressure was 58 mmHg (range 37-135) and the mean maximum incremental squeeze pressure 54 mmHg (range 8-104). None had defaecatory difficulty and no complications were encountered with the new technique of repair. CONCLUSIONS: Reservations regarding the feasibility of the overlap technique of primary repair are unfounded, as both subjective and objective outcomes are favourable compared with other studies using end-to-end approximation. A multicentre randomised study of the overlap vs end-to-end repair technique is now planned.

Adolescent↗

Techniques of rectocele repair and their effects on bowel function.

Gynecologists have traditionally evaluated rectocele repair by its effect on vaginal function; coloproctologists have traditionally evaluated its effect on bowel function. Hence different operative criteria and surgical techniques have arisen, but with very little prospective, objective evaluation. The purpose of this review is to describe the surgical techniques used to repair the rectocele and the most common investigations used during its evaluation. Anorectal investigations identify concomitant pathology, may explain pathophysiology, provide objective outcome criteria and attempt to predict the patients that will most benefit from surgery. However, because of the complex neuromuscular, physiological and mechanical interactions that contribute to impaired rectal emptying, their usefulness in improving functional outcome has been limited. Many patients experience improvement, but still are left with some symptoms of impaired defecation despite anatomic correction.

Defecation↗

Efficacy and safety of tolterodine in patients with detrusor instability: a dose-ranging study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of tolterodine, a new antimuscarinic agent, and define the optimum dosage in patients with symptoms of detrusor instability (urgency, increased frequency of micturition and/or urge incontinence). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study was carried out; after a 1-week run-in period to establish baseline values, 81 patients were randomized to receive placebo or tolterodine 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. Micturition (diary) variables, urodynamics and subjective urinary symptoms were assessed after 2 weeks' treatment. RESULTS: A per-protocol analysis of efficacy in 64 patients showed dose-related improvements in recorded micturition and urodynamic variables, e.g. at a dosage of 2 mg twice daily, the frequency of micturition, episodes of incontinence and pad use were reduced by 20%, 46% and 29%, respectively, while the volume at first contraction increased by 89 mL. The 4 mg dosage was associated with a large increase in residual urinary volume and an increased incidence of dry mouth. The incidence of adverse events (mainly mild or moderate antimuscarinic effects) was comparable with placebo at tolterodine dosages of < or = 2 mg. No serious adverse events were observed and tolterodine had no clinically significant impact on electrocardiographic or laboratory findings. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that tolterodine offers an effective treatment for the symptoms of detrusor instability. The optimum dosage appears to be 1-2 mg twice daily.

Adult↗

Surgical treatment of sphincteric incontinence in women.

There are many surgical options to correct sphincteric incontinence. The choice should take account of clinical features, urodynamic data and operation characteristics. Success should be evaluated both subjectively and objectively and it is desirable to have at least a two year follow-up. It is necessary to be aware of the complications of each procedure. Where new techniques are described it is important to use objective outcome measures.

Algorithms↗

Does the menstrual cycle influence cystometry?

Alterations in the hormonal milieu associated with the menstrual cycle appear to influence the dynamic interaction between the bladder and urethra as well as detrusor function, probably because of the common embryological origin of the lower genital and urinary tracts. In this retrospective study we investigated the effect of the menstrual cycle on cystometric diagnosis. A retrospective case note review of 687 consecutive patients attending the urogynecology unit of St Georges University Hospital, a tertiary referral center, was carried out. The study group comprised 57 women with regular menstrual periods. In both patients whose symptoms were adversely affected premenstrually and those whose symptoms were not influenced by the menstrual cycle, the majority of normal cystometric diagnoses were made in the luteal phase: 45.5% vs. 25% (P < or = 0.002) and 38.5% vs. 4.8% (P < or = 0.05), respectively. Diagnoses of genuine stress incontinence, detrusor instability and mixed genuine stress incontinence and detrusor instability were most frequently made in the follicular phase of the cycle. More normal cystometric diagnoses were made in the influenced group (36.8%) than in the uninfluenced group (21%) (P < 0.02). The results of this preliminary study indicate that the timing of cystometric evaluation may influence the detection of a positive diagnosis. The luteal phase may not be the correct time to make an accurate diagnosis, especially in patients whose symptoms are influenced by their menstrual cycle.

Adult↗

Occult obstetric trauma and anal incontinence.

Obstetric trauma is by far the commonest cause of anal incontinence in women. Denervation and reinnervation of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter following vaginal delivery has been previously demonstrated. The advent of anal endosonography, however, has enabled the identification of occult anal sphincter defects following vaginal delivery. It is now possible to identify risk factors and change obstetric practice accordingly so as to minimize anorectal morbidity.

Anal Canal↗

Posterior colporrhaphy: its effects on bowel and sexual function.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the anatomical cure rate of posterior colporrhaphy and its effect on bowel and sexual function one to six years later. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Urogynaecology Unit, St George's Hospital, London. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and thirty-one women who underwent posterior colporrhaphy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anatomical and symptomatic cure of rectocoele. METHODS: The charts of 231 women who underwent 244 posterior colporrhaphies between 1 January 1989 and 4 January 1994 were reviewed. One hundred and seventy one (74%) were interviewed; 140 (61%) were examined. Mean follow up time was 42.5 months (range 11-74). RESULTS: Two hundred and nine women had prior or concurrent vaginal and/or bladder neck surgery including 38 previous posterior colporrhaphies. Postoperatively prolapse symptoms due to rectocoele decreased (64% vs 31%). Constipation (22% vs 33%), incomplete bowel emptying (27% vs 38%), incontinence of faeces (4% vs 11%) and sexual dysfunction (18% vs 27%) increased. Those with incontinence of stool were more likely to have had two or more posterior colporrhaphies. Sixty-two percent felt that they improved over all after surgery. Additional postoperative symptoms included: vaginal and/or perineal splinting (33%), soiling and/or inability to wipe clean (16%), rectal digitation (23%), incontinence of flatus (19%), and rectal and/or vaginal pain (22%). Thirty-three women (24%) had large rectocoeles, seven of whom did not have impaired bowel emptying. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior colporrhaphy corrects the vaginal defect in 76% of women. It does not necessarily correct and may contribute to bowel and sexual dysfunction, particularly in those requiring multiple procedures. The presence of the anatomical defect does not imply dysfunction. The prevalence of bowel symptoms suggests the need for close questioning about bowel habits and the selective use of bowel investigations for some women before surgery.

Adult↗

Is there an irritable bladder in the irritable bowel syndrome?

In this prospective case controlled study 16 premenopausal women with documented irritable bowel syndrome were recruited from the gastroenterology clinic and 16 premenopausal controls without symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome were recruited from the gynaecology clinic. All women answered a standardised bowel and urinary symptom questionnaire and underwent twin channel subtracted cystometry. Women with irritable bowel syndrome also underwent oesophageal balloon distension studies for perception and pain. Oesophageal and bladder sensory thresholds were compared. Urinary frequency and urgency and the urodynamic finding of detrusor instability were significantly more common in women with irritable bowel syndrome (P < 0.05). We were unable to demonstrate a relationship between first sensation of bladder fullness and oesophageal perception or between maximum bladder capacity and oesophageal pain thresholds. These findings suggest that there is an irritable bladder in the irritable bowel syndrome and support the concept that irritable bowel syndrome is part of a generalised disorder of smooth muscle.

Adult↗

Incontinence in elderly women: is periurethral collagen an advance?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether periurethral collagen is an effective, safe and practical day-case procedure to control genuine stress incontinence (urethral sphincter incompetence) in the elderly female. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study using subjective and objective outcome measures with long term follow up. SETTING: A teaching hospital tertiary referral centre. SAMPLE: Thirty-two women over 65 years of age with a urodynamic diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence. RESULTS: At one year, 22 women (79%) were subjectively cured or improved, and 14 (50%) were objectively cured; at two years, 18 (69%) and 14 (54%), respectively. Symptoms of urgency, urge incontinence, frequency and nocturia improved, while voiding difficulty remained unchanged. Brief urinary retention was encountered in seven women. No long term side effects or complications were encountered. Urodynamic studies suggest that collagen works by preventing premature bladder neck opening through physical stress, rather than by obstruction. This would account for the slight increase in functional urethral length. CONCLUSIONS: Contigen collagen is a simple and effective day case procedure as an alternative to major surgery and is without significant morbidity or complication. It is ideal for the elderly.

Aged↗

Urodynamics: prediction, outcome and analysis of mechanism for cure of stress incontinence by periurethral collagen.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of urodynamics in the prediction and assessment of outcome and analysis of the mechanism of cure for stress incontinence using periurethral collagen as our treatment model. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: A teaching hospital tertiary referral centre. PATIENTS: Sixty women with genuine stress incontinence. RESULTS: The objective cure rate was 54% (n = 54) at 12 months. Subtracted cystometry, urethral electrical conductivity and bladder neck excursion measurements did not predict cure. A low pre-injection maximum urethral closure pressure adversely affects outcome (31 cmH2O (success) vs 19 cmH2O (failure), P = 0.004); all women with a maximum urethral closure pressure > 39 cmH2O were rendered dry. Urethral pressure profilometry can analyse mechanism of cure. Total profile length, stress maximum urethral closure pressure, stress functional urethral length and pressure transmission ratio in the first quarter of urethral length were increased in successful cases (P < 0.05), and rest maximum urethral and maximum urethral closure pressures, area under rest profile and pressure transmission ratio in the second quarter of urethral length were increased in failed cases (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In successful cases the increased area and pressure transmission ratio in the first quarter of the functional urethral length suggest that collagen placement occurs at the bladder neck or proximal urethra. Cure appears to be due to prevention of bladder neck opening during stress and not obstruction. In addition the cephalad elongation of the urethra caused by collagen probably accounts for the increased abdominal pressure transmission in the first quarter of the urethra. In failures, there is an increased length and increased area to peak pressure suggesting collagen is deposited more distally. This study confirms the role of certain urethral pressure profilometry variables in the prediction and analysis of mechanism of cure.

Adult↗