Prescription Opioid Use for Acute Pain and Persistent Opioid Use After Gynecologic Surgery: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the amount of opioid medication used by patients and the prevalence of persistent opioid use after discharge for gynecologic surgery for benign indications.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to October 2020.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Studies with data on gynecologic surgical procedures for benign indications and the amount of outpatient opioids consumed, or the incidence of either persistent opioid use or opioid-use disorder postsurgery were included. Two reviewers independently screened citations and extracted data from eligible studies.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Thirty-six studies (37 articles) met inclusion criteria. Data were extracted from 35 studies; 23 studies included data on opioids consumed after hospital discharge, and 12 studies included data on persistent opioid use after gynecologic surgery. Average morphine milligram equivalents (MME) used in the 14 days after discharge were 54.0 (95% CI 39.9-68.0, seven tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) across all gynecologic surgery types, 35.0 (95% CI 0-75.12, 4.5 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) after a vaginal hysterectomy, 59.5 (95% CI 44.4-74.6, eight tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) after laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 108.1 (95% CI 80.5-135.8, 14.5 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) after abdominal hysterectomy. Patients used 22.4 MME (95% CI 12.4-32.3, three tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) within 24 hours of discharge after laparoscopic procedures without hysterectomy and 79.8 MME (95% CI 37.1-122.6, 10.5 tablets of 5-mg oxycodone) from discharge to 7 or 14 days postdischarge after surgery for prolapse. Persistent opioid use occurred in about 4.4% of patients after gynecologic surgery, but this outcome had high heterogeneity due to variation in populations and definitions of the outcome.

CONCLUSION

On average, patients use the equivalent of 15 or fewer 5-mg oxycodone tablets (or equivalent) in the 2 weeks after discharge after major gynecologic surgery for benign indications. Persistent opioid use occurred in 4.4% of patients who underwent gynecologic surgery for benign indications. Our findings could help surgeons minimize overprescribing and reduce medication diversion or misuse.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42020146120.

Gynecologic surgical skill acquisition through simulation with outcomes at the time of surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of simulation training vs traditional hands-on surgical instruction on learner operative skills and patient outcomes in gynecologic surgeries.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to January 12, 2021.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials, prospective comparative studies, and prospective single-group studies with pre- and posttraining assessments that reported surgical simulation-based training before gynecologic surgery were included.

METHODS

Reviewers independently identified the studies, obtained data, and assessed the study quality. The results were analyzed according to the type of gynecologic surgery, simulation, comparator, and outcome data, including clinical and patient-related outcomes. The maximum likelihood random effects model meta-analyses of the odds ratios and standardized mean differences were calculated with estimated 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Twenty studies, including 13 randomized controlled trials, 1 randomized crossover trial, 5 nonrandomized comparative studies, and 1 prepost study were identified. Most of the included studies (14/21, 67%) were on laparoscopic simulators and had a moderate quality of evidence. Meta-analysis showed that compared with traditional surgical teaching, high- and low-fidelity simulators improved surgical technical skills in the operating room as measured by global rating scales, and high-fidelity simulators decreased the operative time. Moderate quality evidence was found favoring warm-up exercises before laparoscopic surgery. There was insufficient evidence to conduct a meta-analysis for other gynecologic procedures.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence supports incorporating simulation-based training for a variety of gynecologic surgeries to increase technical skills in the operating room, but data on patient-related outcomes are lacking.

Impact of Question Bank Use for In-Training Examination Preparation by OBGYN Residents - A Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the impact of access to and utilization of a commercially available question bank (TrueLearn) for in-training examination (ITE) preparation in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN).

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study examining the impact of TrueLearn usage on ITE examination performance outcomes. Produced by the educational arm of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) exam is a multiple-choice test given to all residents annually. Residency programs participating in this study provided residency program mean CREOG scores from the year prior (2015), and the first (2016) and second (2017) years of TrueLearn usage. Programs also contributed resident-specific CREOG scores for each resident for 2016 and 2017. This data was combined with each resident's TrueLearn usage data that was provided by TrueLearn with residency program consent. The CREOG scores consisted of the CREOG score standardized to all program years, the CREOG score standardized to the same program year (PGY) and the total percent (%) correct. TrueLearn usage data included number of practice questions completed, number of practice tests taken, average number of days between successive tests, and percent correct of answered practice questions.

SETTING

OBGYN Residency Training Programs.

PARTICIPANTS

OBGYN residency programs that purchased and utilized TrueLearn for the 2016 CREOG examination were eligible for participation (n = 14). Ten residency programs participated, which consisted of 212 residents in 2016 and 218 residents in 2017.

RESULTS

TrueLearn was used by 78.8% (167/212) of the residents in 2016 and 84.9% (185/218) of the residents in 2017. No significant difference was seen in the average CREOG scores available on a per- program level before versus after the first year of implementation either using the CREOG score standardized to all PGYs (mean difference 1.0; p = 0.58) or standardized to the same PGY (mean difference 3.1; p = 0.25). Using resident-level data, there was no significant difference in mean CREOG score standardized to all PGYs between users and non-users of TrueLearn in 2016 (mean, 199.4 vs 196.7; p = 0.41) or 2017 (mean, 198.2 vs 203.4; p = 0.19). The percent of practice questions answered correctly on TrueLearn was positively correlated with the CREOG score standardized to all PGYs (r = 0.47 for 2016 and r = 0.60 for 2017), as well as with the CREOG total percent correct (r = 0.47 for 2016 and r = 0.61 for 2017). Based on a simple linear regression, for every 500 practice questions completed, the CREOG score significantly increased for PGY-2 residents by an average (±SE) of 7.3 ± 2.8 points (p = 0.013); the average increase was 0.7 ± 2.5 (p = 0.79) for PGY-3 residents and 5.8 ± 3.3 points (p = 0.09) for PGY-4 residents.

CONCLUSIONS

Adoption of an online question bank did not result in higher mean CREOG scores at participating institutions. However, performance on the TrueLearn questions correlated with ITE performance, supporting predictive validity and the use of this question bank as a formative assessment for resident education and exam preparation.

Adnexal Mass in a Spontaneous Pregnancy Diagnosed as Heterotopic Pregnancy at the Time of Cesarean Delivery

BACKGROUND

Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare complication usually seen in populations at risk for ectopic pregnancy or undergoing fertility treatment. Most commonly, heterotopic pregnancy is diagnosed at the time of rupture when surgical management is required.

CASE REPORT

A 26-year-old gravida 2 para 1 patient had a right adnexal mass discovered in the first trimester that was conservatively managed for the remainder of her pregnancy. She underwent a cesarean delivery with right salpingectomy. Heterotopic pregnancy was diagnosed after final pathology. The patient had no risk factors for heterotopic pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Heterotopic pregnancy should be suspected in patients with an adnexal mass, even in the absence of risk factors.

Successful Management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy Complicated by an Arteriovenous Malformation

BACKGROUND

Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies are rare, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 2,000 pregnancies. The trauma of a cesarean section and a subsequent cesarean scar pregnancy can lead to the formation of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The resulting intractable bleeding is difficult to manage and can result in an emergent surgical intervention that could jeopardize a female's ability to become pregnant in the future.

CASE REPORT

A 29-year-old female, gravida 2 para 1, with 1 prior low transverse cesarean section had a presumed cervical ectopic pregnancy treated with intramuscular methotrexate. Despite a negative serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin result, she had a persistent mass in the lower uterine segment of her cesarean section scar and was finally diagnosed with an AVM. We successfully preserved her fertility by performing a wedge resection of the AVM and using a novel technique of bilateral O'Leary sutures to occlude the ascending and descending branches of the uterine artery along with intramuscular vasopressin infiltration.

CONCLUSION

A multidisciplinary approach involving obstetrics/gynecology, interventional radiology, and anesthesiology allowed for a safe conservative surgical approach and the preservation of our patient's fertility.

Systematic review of robotic surgery in gynecology: robotic techniques compared with laparoscopy and laparotomy

The Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Systematic Review Group performed a systematic review of both randomized and observational studies to compare robotic vs nonrobotic surgical approaches (laparoscopic, abdominal, and vaginal) for treatment of both benign and malignant gynecologic indications to compare surgical and patient-centered outcomes, costs, and adverse events associated with the various surgical approaches. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to May 15, 2012, for English-language studies with terms related to robotic surgery and gynecology. Studies of any design that included at least 30 women who had undergone robotic-assisted laparoscopic gynecologic surgery were included for review. The literature yielded 1213 citations, of which 97 full-text articles were reviewed. Forty-four studies (30 comparative and 14 noncomparative) met eligibility criteria. Study data were extracted into structured electronic forms and reconciled by a second, independent reviewer. Our analysis revealed that, compared with open surgery, robotic surgery consistently confers shorter hospital stay. The proficiency plateau seems to be lower for robotic surgery than for conventional laparoscopy. Of the various gynecologic applications, there seems to be evidence that renders robotic techniques advantageous over traditional open surgery for management of endometrial cancer. However, insofar as superiority, conflicting data are obtained when comparing robotics vs laparoscopic techniques. Therefore, the specific method of minimally invasive surgery, whether conventional laparoscopy or robotic surgery, should be tailored to patient selection, surgeon ability, and equipment availability.

Implementation of a faculty development curriculum emphasizing quality improvement and patient safety: results of a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

We developed a faculty development curriculum emphasizing quality improvement and patient safety. Our project focused on developing a learning environment that fosters resident education in quality improvement and patient safety.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team developed a survey to assess baseline perceptions of quality improvement tools and training and resident participation in quality improvement and patient safety programs. We then developed a curriculum to address deficiencies. The curriculum paired residents with faculty. At the completion of the first curriculum cycle, we asked faculty and residents to complete the same survey.

RESULTS

Our pilot survey revealed a need for a comprehensive program to teach faculty and residents the art of teaching. Our follow-up study showed an increase in the number of residents and faculty who reported that their programs were extremely or very good at providing tools to develop skills and habits to practice quality improvement. We also had a statistically significant decrease (15.8%, P=0.0128) in faculty who reported their program as not at all effective at providing resident quality improvement tools and skills. Among residents and faculty, we had a 12% (P=0.2422) and a 38.2% (P=0.0010), respectively, improvement in reported monthly resident involvement in quality improvement and patient safety projects.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that developing a sustainable and practical faculty development program within a large academic medical center is feasible. Our postimplementation survey demonstrated an improvement in perceived participation in quality improvement, patient safety, and faculty development among faculty and residents. Future targets will focus on sustaining and spreading the program to all faculty and residents in the institution.

Sexual activity and function in women with and without pelvic floor disorders

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

We describe differences in sexual activity and function in women with and without pelvic floor disorders (PFDs).

METHODS

Heterosexual women ≥40 years of age who presented to either urogynecology or general gynecology clinics at 11 clinical sites were recruited. Women were asked if they were sexually active with a male partner. Validated questionnaires and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) examinations assessed urinary incontinence (UI), fecal incontinence (FI), and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Sexual activity and function was measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Student's t test was used to assess continuous variables; categorical variables were assessed with Fisher's exact test and logistic regression. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the impact of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) on FSFI total and domain scores.

RESULTS

Five hundred and five women met eligibility requirements and gave consent for participation. Women with and without PFDs did not differ in race, body mass index (BMI), comorbid medical conditions, or hormone use. Women with PFDs were slightly older than women without PFDs (55.6 + 10.8 vs. 51.6 + 8.3 years, P <0.001); all analyses were controlled for age. Women with PFDs were as likely to be sexually active as women without PFDs (61.6 vs. 75.5 %, P = 0.09). There was no difference in total FSFI scores between cohorts (23.2 + 8.5 vs. 24.4 + 9.2, P = 0.23) or FSFI domain scores (all P = NS).

CONCLUSION

Rates of sexual activity and function are not different between women with and without PFDs.

Impact of the medical liability crisis on postresidency training and practice decisions in obstetrics-gynecology

INTRODUCTION

The liability crisis may affect residency graduates' practice decisions, yet structured liability education during residency is still inadequate. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of medical liability on practice decisions and to evaluate the adequacy of current medical liability curricula.

METHODS

All fourth-year residents (n  =  1274) in 264 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited allopathic and 25 osteopathic US obstetrics and gynecology residency training programs were asked to participate in a survey about postgraduate plans and formal education during residency regarding liability issues in 2006. Programs were identified by the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology directory and the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists residency program registry. Outcome measures were the reported influence of liability/malpractice concerns on postresidency practice decision making and the incidence of formal education in liability/malpractice issues during residency.

RESULTS

A total of 506 of 1274 respondents (39.7%) returned surveys. Women were more likely than men to report "region of the country" (P  =  .02) and "paid malpractice insurance as a salaried employee" (P  =  .03) as a major influence. Of the respondents, 123 (24.3%) planned fellowship training, and 229 (45.3%) were considering limiting practice. More than 20% had been named in a lawsuit. Respondents cited Pennsylvania, Florida, and New York as locations to avoid. In response to questions about medical liability education, 54.3% reported formal education on risk management, and 65.2% indicated they had not received training on "next steps" after a lawsuit.

DISCUSSION

Residents identify liability-related issues as major influences when making choices about practice after training. Structured education on matters of medical liability during residency is still inadequate.

Developing a Practical and Sustainable Faculty Development Program With a Focus on Teaching Quality Improvement and Patient Safety: An Alliance for Independent Academic Medical Centers National Initiative III Project

BACKGROUND

Teaching the next generation of physicians requires more than traditional teaching models. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's Next Accreditation System places considerable emphasis on developing a learning environment that fosters resident education in quality improvement and patient safety. The goal of this project was to develop a comprehensive and sustainable faculty development program with a focus on teaching quality improvement and patient safety.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team representing all stakeholders in graduate medical education developed a validated survey to assess faculty and house officer baseline perceptions of their experience with faculty development opportunities, quality improvement tools and training, and resident participation in quality improvement and patient safety programs at our institution. We then developed a curriculum to address these 3 areas.

RESULTS

Our pilot survey revealed a need for a comprehensive program to teach faculty and residents the art of teaching. Two other areas of need are (1) regular resident participation in quality improvement and patient safety efforts and (2) effective tools for developing skills and habits to analyze practices using quality improvement methods. Resident and faculty pairs in 17 Ochsner training programs developed and began quality improvement projects while completing the first learning module. Resident and faculty teams also have been working on the patient safety modules and incorporating aspects of patient safety into their individual work environments.

CONCLUSION

Our team's goal is to develop a sustainable and manageable faculty development program that includes modules addressing quality improvement and patient safety in accordance with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation requirements.

The impact of a documentation and coding curriculum in an obstetrics and gynecology continuity clinic

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to determine how increasing levels of residency training as well as a documentation and coding curriculum affected coding accuracy in the continuity clinic setting.

METHODS

All postgraduate year (PGY) 2 through PGY 4 residents (n=22) participated in a mandatory 3-module curriculum. Residents completed mock charge tickets in the obstetrics and gynecology continuity clinic for every patient encountered 1 month before and 1 month after the curriculum. An audit of 5 random charts per resident (n=110) compared chart documentation with the billing levels noted on the mock charge tickets.

RESULTS

We found a significant reduction in the number of undercoded charts for everyone except PGY 4 residents. In addition, all residents correctly coded more charts after the curriculum (from 30 to 46 charts, P=0.03).

CONCLUSION

The first phase of our documentation and coding curriculum study demonstrated that significant improvements in coding accuracy are achieved when implemented among PGY 2 and PGY 3 residents. Refinements in the basic foundation of knowledge may help prevent overcoding errors.

Endometriosis for the colorectal surgeon

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Although the exact pathophysiology is unclear, endometriosis is a well-known cause of pelvic pain and infertility in reproductive-aged women. Endometriosis can have extrapelvic manifestations relevant for colorectal surgeons to appreciate, such as cyclic constipation, diarrhea, hematochezia, and dyschezia. The treatment of endometriosis involves a combination of medical and surgical interventions where close collaboration between the gynecologist and colorectal surgeon can help achieve prolonged periods of symptom remission.

Does vaginal size impact sexual activity and function?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

This study seeks to determine if total vaginal length (TVL) or genital hiatus (GH) impact sexual activity and function.

METHODS

Heterosexual women >or= 40 years were recruited from urogynecology and gynecology offices. TVL and GH were assessed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification exam. Women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and were dichotomized into either normal function (FSFI total > 26) or sexual dysfunction (FSFI <or= 26).

RESULTS

Five hundred five women were enrolled; 333 (67%) reported sexual activity. While sexually active women had longer vaginas than women who were not active (9.1 cm +/- 1.2 versus 8.9 cm +/- 1.3, p = 0.04), significance was explained by age differences. GH measurements did not differ (3.2 cm +/- 1.1 versus 3.1 cm +/- 1.1, p = 0.58). In sexually active women, TVL was weakly correlated with FSFI total score, but GH was not. TVL and GH did not differ between women with normal FSFI scores and those with sexual dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal size did not affect sexual activity or function.

Implementation, construct validity, and benefit of a proficiency-based knot-tying and suturing curriculum

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this proficiency-based, open knot-tying and suturing study was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing this curriculum within a residency program, and to assess construct validity and educational benefit.

METHODS

PGY1 residents (n = 37) were enrolled in an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved prospective study that was conducted over a 12-week period. Trainees viewed a video tutorial during orientation and as needed; they self-practiced to proficiency for 12 standardized knot-tying, practiced suturing tasks; performed 1 repetition of each task at baseline and posttesting; and completed questionnaires.

RESULTS

Curriculum implementation required 376 person-hours, and material costs were $776. All trainees achieved proficiency within allotted 12 weeks. Overall, trainees completed 141 +/- 80 repetitions over 12.7 +/- 5.3 hours in addition to performing 13.4 +/- 12.4 operations. Baseline trainee and expert performance were significantly different for all 12 tasks and composite score (732 +/- 294 vs 1488 +/- 26, p < 0.001), which supported construct validity. Baseline trainees demonstrated significant improvement at posttesting according to composite scores (732 +/- 294 vs 1503 +/- 131, p < 0.001), which validates skill acquisition.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of this proficiency-based curriculum within the constraints of a residency program is feasible. This curriculum is educationally beneficial and cost effective; our data support construct validity. Evaluation of transferability to the operating room and more widespread adoption of this curriculum are warranted.