Assessing ureteral patency using 10% dextrose cystoscopy fluid: evaluation of urinary tract infection rates

Impact of Mannitol Bladder Distension in the Intraoperative Detection of Ureteral Kinking During Pelvic Floor Surgery

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Ureteral injuries are the most feared complications of gynecological surgery and therefore intraoperative recognition is of the utmost importance. Intraoperative cystoscopy represents the diagnostics of choice to investigate ureteral patency thanks to the direct visualization of ureteral flows after administration of infusion mediums. In this study, we aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of saline versus mannitol intraoperative cystoscopy in terms of false negatives in a large cohort of patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy and high uterosacral ligament suspension for POP. Patients were divided in two groups based on the use of saline or mannitol medium for intraoperative cystoscopy. Postoperative daily control of serum creatinine was performed until discharge, as well as urinary tract imaging, in symptomatic patients.

RESULTS

A total of 925 patients underwent vaginal hysterectomy followed by high USL suspension for POP. Saline and mannitol medium were used in 545 patients and 380 patients respectively. Postoperative ureteral injuries were identified in 12 patients, specifically in 2% of the saline group and in 0.3% of the mannitol group.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of mannitol instead of saline as a bladder distension medium was able to significantly reduce the occurrence of postoperative ureteral sequelae.

Intraoperative ultrasound assessment of ureteral patency after uterosacral ligaments apical suspension for prolapse surgical repair: A feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively compare power Doppler ultrasound diagnostic performance with reference standard cystoscopy in evaluating ureteral patency in a population at high risk of ureteral lesions.

METHODS

We analyzed 100 women who underwent pelvic organ prolapse repair. All ultrasound scans were obtained, at the end of the procedures, before cystoscopic evaluation. Bilateral simultaneous ureteral jet evaluation with power Doppler was performed at the level of the ureterovesical junctions with a pulse repetition frequency set to detect low flow for a maximum of 3 min.

RESULTS

According to the reference standard urethrocystoscopy, at least one ureter not ejaculating was observed in 6% of patients, for a total of seven ureters jets not visualized. No false-negative results were obtained. Ultrasound with power Doppler showed 100% sensitivity and 95.9% specificity in detecting the lack of ureteral jet. The negative predictive value was 100%, and the positive predictive value was 46.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound with power Doppler represents an effective and reliable non-invasive screening test to exclude ureteral kinking and reduce the need for intraoperative cystoscopy.

The Effect of Patient Positioning on Ureteral Efflux During Intraoperative Cystoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To identify the relationship between patient position during surgery and time to confirmation of ureteral patency on cystoscopy.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Academic tertiary care medical center.

PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS

A total of 91 adult women undergoing laparoscopic (either conventional or robotic) hysterectomy between February 2021 and February 2022 were randomized to intervention (n = 45) or control (n = 46). Exclusion criteria included known kidney disease or urinary tract anomaly, current ureteral stent, pregnancy, malignancy, and recognized intraoperative urinary tract injury.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects in the control group were placed in a 0° supine position during cystoscopy. Subjects in the intervention group were placed in a 20° angle in reverse Trendelenburg (RT) position during cystoscopy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome, time to confirmation of bilateral ureteral patency, was measured at the time the second ureteral jet was viewed during intraoperative cystoscopy. There was no significant difference in mean time to confirmation (66.5 seconds in supine vs 67 seconds in RT, p = .2) nor in total cystoscopy time (111 seconds in supine vs 104.5 seconds in RT, p = .39). There were no significant differences in need for alternative modalities to aid in ureteral efflux visualization, delayed diagnosis of ureteric injury, and operative time. RT position seemed to have reduced the time to confirmation for the small group of patients with longer confirmation time (>120 seconds).

CONCLUSION

RT position does not change time to confirmation of bilateral ureteral patency compared with supine position. However, there may be a benefit in position change if time to confirmation is >120 seconds.

Comparing vitamin B2 versus 5% dextrose in water for optimal ureteric jet visualisation at the time of pelvic reconstructive surgery: A randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare preoperative vitamin B2 versus intraoperative cystoscopy distension using 5% dextrose in water (D5W) for ureteric jet visualisation during pelvic reconstructive surgery.

DESIGN

Double-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Three tertiary hospitals in Toronto, Canada.

POPULATION

Adult women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery.

METHODS

Patients were randomised to receive 100 mg of vitamin B2 preoperatively versus bladder distension with D5W intraoperatively.

MAIN OUTCOMES

The primary outcome was the rate of accurate detection of bilateral ureteric jets during cystoscopy. Secondary outcomes included the time elapsed until visualisation, use of intravenous furosemide or fluorescein to assist with visualisation, surgeon satisfaction, and positive urine culture 1 week after surgery.

RESULTS

The intervention was completed by 236 patients (vitamin B2 n = 117, D5W n = 119). Preoperative characteristics were similar across groups. Accurate detection of both ureteric jets was high in both groups (vitamin B2 97.4% vs. D5W 90.8%, p = 0.051). The vitamin B2 group had significantly lower use of fluorescein rescue compared with the D5W group (3.4% vs. 11.8%, respectively, p = 0.025). Surgeon satisfaction while using vitamin B2 was significantly higher (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the time elapsed until visualisation, the use of furosemide, or the incidence of positive urine culture at 1 week after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Both preoperative vitamin B2 and intraoperative cystoscopy distension with D5W are highly available and inexpensive methods to detect ureteric jets with high accuracy at the time of pelvic reconstructive surgery. Vitamin B2 was shown to have lower rates of fluorescein rescue for visualisation and higher rates of surgeon satisfaction.

Cost-effectiveness of agents used for evaluation of ureteral patency during intraoperative cystoscopy in gynecologic and urogynecologic surgery

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative evaluation of ureteral patency is often performed in gynecologic and urogynecologic surgery. Many agents are used to help assess the patency, each with its own associated cost, ease of use, and adverse reactions. Some agents, such as dextrose, are used as an instillation fluid to create a viscosity difference and aid the visualization of a ureteral jet. Others, such as oral phenazopyridine or the intravenous use of sodium fluorescein and indigo carmine, cause a color change of the urine to directly aid the visualization of ureteral jets. Recently, numerous studies have examined the efficacy and surgeon satisfaction of these agents. The studies have also emphasized certain options as associated with a lower cost. However, there have not been any cost studies comparing these agents.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cost-effectiveness of the following 4 agents that are commonly used in assessing ureteral patency intraoperatively: oral phenazopyridine, dextrose instillation, intravenous sodium fluorescein, and intravenous indigo carmine.

STUDY DESIGN

We constructed a decision-analytic model to compare cystoscopy using oral phenazopyridine, dextrose instillation, intravenous sodium fluorescein, and intravenous indigo carmine. Failure to see efflux resulted in work-ups for ureteral obstruction. The probabilities were obtained from published studies, and the probability of successfully seeing efflux ranged from 0.92 with oral phenazopyridine to 0.99 with intravenous indigo carmine. The costs of the agents, adverse effects, and ureteral obstruction work-ups were obtained from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Pharmacy, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2016 database and the FAIR Health Consumer database. The cost of a ureteral obstruction work-up used in our model ranged from $9755 for intraoperative evaluation with retrograde pyelograms and stents to $29,034 for hospitalization. Our primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per unnecessary work-up for ureteral obstruction avoided. Sensitivity analyses were performed to identify the key uncertainties.

RESULTS

Oral phenazopyridine, followed by an intravenous agent if needed, had a mean cost of $110 per patient. Dextrose averaged $151 more per patient, with only a slight improvement in avoiding unnecessary ureteral obstruction work-ups and a higher cost associated with adverse reactions (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, $62,000). Intravenous agents cost approximately $1000 more per patient and were less effective at preventing unnecessary work-ups. Sensitivity analyses did not identify any thresholds that would significantly change the outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our model suggests that oral phenazopyridine and dextrose instillation are the least expensive and the most effective agents to aid in the visualization of ureteral patency during intraoperative cystoscopy, although dextrose is associated with higher costs owing to a higher rate of adverse reactions (primarily urinary tract infections). Intravenous sodium fluorescein and indigo carmine are historically popular first-choice agents. However, they were found to be more expensive and less effective as primary agents in our model and should likely be reserved for use as secondary agents in the event that the visualization of ureteral jets is unclear with the initial use of phenazopyridine or dextrose.

Intraoperative ultrasound assessment of ureteral patency during pelvic surgery

Ureteral injuries probably represent the most feared complication of benign hysterectomies. Lack of proper intraoperative detection causes diagnostic delay, which results in additional hospitalization, prolonged catheterization, and multiple additional procedures. However, the policy of universal cystoscopy is still under debate, owing to costs, increased operative time, lack of proper training, and risk of trauma. Intraoperative ultrasound assessment can offer a valid alternative for evaluating ureteral patency. After intravenous administration of 300 ml of saline solution and 10 mg of furosemide, the bladder is filled with 300 ml of saline solution. Transabdominal ultrasound bladder scans are obtained with a convex 3.5-MHz probe in transverse planes. The power Doppler field size is set to include the entire posterior wall of the bladder, at the level of the ureterovesical junctions. Ureteral patency test is considered normal if jets are present on both sides. It is considered abnormal when either absent or comparatively diminished on one side. It is considered nondiagnostic when neither side is visualized. Cystoscopy should be performed in the case of abnormal or nondiagnostic sonographic findings. Intraoperative transabdominal power Doppler ultrasound represents a feasible, non-invasive, and inexpensive diagnostic tool for assessing ureteral patency during gynecological surgery.

Risk of Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms after Posthysterectomy Cystoscopy with 50% Dextrose as Compared with Saline Cystoscopy with Indigo Carmine

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Compare odds of postoperative urinary symptoms in women who had cystoscopy after benign laparoscopic hysterectomy with 50% dextrose and with normal saline solution with intravenous indigo carmine.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two tertiary care centers.

PATIENTS

All women who underwent benign laparoscopic hysterectomy and intraoperative cystoscopy carried out by a single surgeon.

INTERVENTIONS

We compared postoperative urinary symptoms in patients who received 50% dextrose cystoscopy fluid (January 2016-June 2017) with those who received saline cystoscopy with intravenous indigo carmine (November 2013-April 2014).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 96 patients had cystoscopy with 50% dextrose and 104 with normal saline with intravenous indigo carmine. Differences in baseline characteristics of the two groups of participants mainly reflected institutional population diversity: age (45.2 vs 41.9, p = .01), body mass index (26.9 vs 33.4, p <.01), race, current smoking status (1% vs 7.8%, p = .04), diabetes (2.1% vs 11.5%, p = .01), history of abdominal surgery (53.1% vs 74%, p <.01), hysterectomy type, receipt of intraoperative antibiotics (92.7% vs 100%, p <.01), recatheterization (10.4% vs 0%, p <.01), and removal of catheter on postoperative day 0 (66.7% vs 12.5%, p <.01). Urinary symptoms were similar for 50% dextrose and saline (12.5% vs 7.7%, p = .19). After adjusting for age, body mass index, race, diabetes, and day of catheter removal, there remained no significant differences in urinary symptoms between the groups (odds ratio 3.19 [95% confidence interval, 0.82-12.35], p = .09). One immediate bladder injury was detected in the saline group and 1 delayed lower urinary tract injury in the 50% dextrose group.

CONCLUSION

Overall, most women experienced no urinary symptoms after benign laparoscopic hysterectomy. There were no significant differences in postoperative urinary symptoms or empiric treatment of urinary tract infection after the use of 50% dextrose cystoscopy fluid as compared with normal saline. The previous finding of increased odds of urinary tract infection after dextrose cystoscopy may be due to use in a high-risk population.

Management of uterine adenomyosis: current trends and uterine artery embolization as a potential alternative to hysterectomy

Adenomyosis is a challenging clinical condition that is commonly being diagnosed in women of reproductive age. To date, many aspects of the disease have not been fully understood, making management increasingly difficult. Over time, minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment methods have developed as more women desire uterine preservation for future fertility or to avoid major surgery. Several uterine-sparing treatment options are now available, including medication, hysteroscopic resection or ablation, conservative surgical methods, and high-intensity focused ultrasound each with its own risks and benefits. Uterine artery embolization is an established treatment option for uterine fibroids and has recently gained ground as a safe and cost-effective method for treatment of uterine adenomyosis with promising results. In this review, we discuss current trends in the management of uterine adenomyosis with a special focus on uterine artery embolization as an alternative to hysterectomy.

Cystoscopy at the time of incontinence and prolapse surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article provides an update on the use of cystoscopy at the time of prolapse and incontinence surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Iatrogenic lower urinary tract injury is a known complication of antiincontinence procedures and surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse. Intraoperative cystoscopy improves detection of lower urinary tract injuries in women undergoing pelvic floor surgery. The pelvic surgeon has a number of agents available to aid in the cystoscopic visualization of ureteral efflux. When injuries of the urinary tract are identified and treated intraoperatively, there is decreased morbidity, lower healthcare costs, and a lower risk of litigation than when detection is delayed. Therefore, many organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), and the American Urological Association (AUA) recommend cystoscopy at the time of pelvic floor surgery.

SUMMARY

Cystoscopy should be universally employed at the time of prolapse and incontinence surgery, except in instances of isolated repair of the posterior compartment.

CO2 Cystoscopy for Evaluation of Ureteral Patency

Gynecologic surgery is associated with various perioperative complications, especially urinary tract injuries. Intraoperative cystoscopy plays an important role in allowing assessment of the bladder to ensure the absence of injuries. Verification of the urinary jets from the ureters is a fundamental step that is not always easy to accomplish. Dyes are frequently used, but these are not always available and are associated with adverse effects. The present study aimed to demonstrate the use of CO₂ as a medium for distension during cystoscopy. A total of 47 patients underwent CO₂ cystoscopy after laparoscopic hysterectomy (n = 26) or bladder endometriosis nodule resection (n = 21). In all patients, the ureteral jets were readily identified, leaving no doubt as to their patency. The median interval between the onset of cystoscopy and the view of jetting from both ureteral ostia was 145 seconds (range, 80-300 seconds). All cystoscopies were normal, and no patient had any signs of accidental urinary tract injury in the follow-up period. Two patients experienced mild urinary tract infection. This cystoscopy technique using CO₂ is fast, easy, safe, and efficient. We recommend bladder distension with CO₂ as a reasonable alternative technique when cystoscopy is required during gynecologic procedures.

Dextrose Instillation as an Alternative Agent to Observe Ureteral Efflux During Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use, cost, postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) rates, and complications of dextrose instillation during cystoscopy.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent cystoscopy during pelvic reconstructive surgery between June 2016 and June 2017 were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: patients who had one ampule of dextrose 50% (D50) directly instilled and patients who did not have D50 instilled during cystoscopy. Preoperative demographics, UTI rates, and postoperative complications were compared. Pharmaceutical cost and availability were reported by the pharmacy at our institution.

RESULTS

Out of 63 patients identified, dextrose instillation was used in 20 patients and no dextrose was used in 43 patients. Each ampule of D50 cost $2.18 and there were no problems with supply shortage. As D50 was directly instilled into the bladder, there was immediate visualization of ureteral efflux at the time of surgery. Three patients (15%) in the dextrose group and 10 patients (23%) in the nondextrose group developed postoperative UTIs. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative UTI rates between the two groups (p = 0.43) and there were no differences in postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Dextrose is a safe, cost-effective, readily available agent that provides instantaneous visualization of ureteral efflux without an increased risk of postoperative UTI.

American Urogynecologic Society Consensus Statement: Cystoscopy at the Time of Prolapse Repair

Injury to the urinary tract is a known risk of surgical repair of anterior and apical pelvic organ prolapse. Cystoscopy at the time of surgical prolapse repair is a low-risk procedure that can identify genitourinary tract injury by inspecting the bladder and urethra as well as by visualizing the ureters and ureteral efflux. There are several techniques to assist with visualization of ureteral efflux. Identifying injury intraoperatively may allow for mitigation of the morbidity of the injury. Universal cystoscopy should be performed at the time of all pelvic reconstructive surgeries, with the exception of operations solely for posterior compartment defects.