The Knowledge Gap: A Survey of Pelvic Floor Understanding Amongst Gynaecology Trainees in Ireland.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) significantly impacts women's health, yet its assessment and management remain inconsistently covered in Obstetrics and Gynaecology training. This study evaluates the knowledge and training exposure of Obstetrics and Gynaecology trainees in Ireland regarding PFD, identifying gaps and potential areas for improvement.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study included all non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs).

Attitudes towards stress urinary incontinence surgery in Ireland: navigating the pause on mid-urethral sling use.

Background: Mid-urethral slings (MUS) for the surgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) have been suspended in Ireland since July 2018, significantly impacting treatment options and clinical practice.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the attitudes of consultant obstetricians, gynaecologists, and urologists in Ireland toward SUI surgery following the MUS suspension, including their prior practices, current approaches, and views on MUS safety and potential reinstatement.

Methods: A descriptive, anonymized questionnaire was electronically distributed in early 2023 to consultant members of the Irish Society of Urology and the Continence Foundation of Ireland.

From conference to journal: Analyzing the path to publication for EUGA and JOGS 2022 abstracts.

Objective: To determine the full-text publication rate of abstracts presented at the European Urogynaecological Association (EUGA) and the Junior Obstetrics and Gynecology Society (JOGS) annual scientific meetings in 2022, and to compare variables such as publication format, number of authors, and journal impact factor.

Methods: Abstract lists from the 2022 EUGA and JOGS meetings were reviewed. PubMed searches were conducted to identify corresponding full-text publications up to August 2024 inclusive.

Advancing obstetrics and gynecology training: The shift toward outcome and based education, a narrative review of literature.

Outcome-based education (OBE) is an educational model that organizes training around the achievement of clearly defined goals rather than time-based metrics. Its adoption has significantly influenced medical education, particularly in specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology (O&G), where clinical complexity demands adaptability and precision. This narrative review explores the development, implementation, and challenges of OBE, with a specific focus on its application in O&G training programs.

Quantifying the impact of bladder complications following gynecological cancer treatment: systematic review and meta-regression.

Gynecological cancer treatments, including radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy, leads to various bladder complications. The anatomical proximity of the treatment site to the urinary bladder primarily explains the complications following RT, while chemotherapy contribute to bladder dysfunction through systemic mechanisms. This study systematically reviews the nature, extent, and prevalence of bladder complications among women treated for these malignancies, underscoring the influence of treatment modalities on bladder function.

Another link in the chain- Diet, digestive health, and pelvic floor integrity: A cross-cultural study.

Objective: To explore the association between impaired bowel function (IBF), diet and their collective impact on the incidence of different pelvic organ prolapse (POP) compartments.

Study Design: This cross-sectional, international, multi-center study was conducted among patients undergoing pelvic floor repair in Ireland and Israel. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the presence of IBF were assessed using validated questionnaires (The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Questionnaire and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms, respectively).

Preserving Essential Skills: The Future of Vaginal Hysterectomy Training in Urogynaecology.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the training and self-assessed proficiency of surgeons in the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We focused on the factors that influence decision-making, the surgical techniques employed, the training received, and the management of complications.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

A national survey on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on gynecologic surgical training.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on gynecology surgical training.

Methods: A national cross-sectional online survey was distributed to all trainees and trainers in the higher specialist training program for obstetrics and gynecology in Ireland. The survey consisted of questions on topics which included: the volume of surgical procedures performed before and since the pandemic, confidence in performing various gynecologic procedures before and since the pandemic and questions regarding the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing and work practices.

The future of patient education: A study on AI-driven responses to urinary incontinence inquiries.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ChatGPT in providing insights into common urinary incontinence concerns within urogynecology. By analyzing the model's responses against established benchmarks of accuracy, completeness, and safety, the study aimed to quantify its usefulness for informing patients and aiding healthcare providers.

Methods: An expert-driven questionnaire was developed, inviting urogynecologists worldwide to assess ChatGPT's answers to 10 carefully selected questions on urinary incontinence (UI).

Precision in Practice: The Critical Role of Mesh and Procedure Type Specification in Urogynecological Surgeries and Research.

Recently, the debate surrounding the use of mesh in urogynecological procedures has intensified, leading to FDA warnings and heightened safety concerns. This clinical opinion emphasizes the vital need to specify mesh types in these procedures, drawing attention to the risk profiles and clinical outcomes associated with various meshes and the procedures that utilize them. A significant issue identified in contemporary literature is the tendency to group diverse mesh types under the same umbrella, disregarding their unique characteristics and applications.

Maintaining the apex: a novel technique for vault suspension during vaginal hysterectomy.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Post-hysterectomy vault prolapse poses significant challenges to patients and surgeons alike. Despite numerous surgical interventions during initial vaginal hysterectomy to counteract this, a comparative analysis of their efficacy is limited. This study introduces a pioneering technique intended to avert vault prolapse during vaginal hysterectomy by harmoniously merging level 1 and level 2 support.

A national survey of surgical training in gynaecology: 2014-2021.

Objectives: Over the last decade barriers to surgical training have been identified, including reducing access to theatre lists, reducing numbers of major surgical procedures being performed, increasing numbers of trainees and reduction in working hours since the introduction of the European Work Time Directive (EWTD). We aimed to assess the impact of these challenges on training in gynaecology over time.

Study Design: We designed a study which aimed to assess both trainers and trainees perception of gynaecological surgical training in Ireland.

Uterine Artery Embolisation of Fibroids and the Phenomenon of Post-Embolisation Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Post-embolisation syndrome (PES) is a prevalent complication that occurs in patients following uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The aetiology of PES remains incompletely understood, although postulated to result secondary to tissue infarction resulting in release of inflammatory mediators. We followed PRISMA guidelines and performed a systematic review of studies of PES following UAE from inception to October 2022.

Robotic surgery in gynaecology: Scientific Impact Paper No. 71 (July 2022).

The use of robotic-assisted keyhole surgery in gynaecology has expanded in recent years owing to technical advances. These include 3D viewing leading to improved depth perception, limitation of tremor, potential for greater precision and discrimination of tissues, a shorter learning curve and improved comfort for surgeons compared with conventional keyhole and open abdominal surgery. Robotic-assisted keyhole surgery, compared with conventional keyhole surgery, improves surgical performance without increasing operating time, minimises blood loss and intra- or postoperative complications, while reducing the need to revert to abdominal surgery.

What Does Your Pelvic Floor Do for You? Knowledge of the Pelvic Floor in Female University Students: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of the pelvic floor in female university students, including knowledge of pelvic floor structure, function, pelvic floor dysfunction, and pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs).

Methods: The study design is a cross-sectional study via online questionnaire with convenience sampling of female students registered at University College Cork, Ireland for the academic year 2018 to 2019. An online questionnaire was distributed to students at their registered email addresses.

The long-term effects of bariatric surgery on female urinary incontinence.

Introduction: Obesity has been shown to negatively impact pelvic floor support and associated urinary incontinence (UI), however little is known regarding the long-term effect of bariatric surgery on urinary incontinence.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on female UI at twelve months post-operatively.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study was performed of all patients undergoing bariatric surgery who reported UI between January 2008 to January 2017.

How do patients and surgeons decide on uterine preservation or hysterectomy in apical prolapse?

Increasingly, uterine preservation surgeries are being performed for treating apical prolapse. Several types of procedures and surgical approaches to correct apical prolapse have been described in the literature. Despite this, there remains inadequate information to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the optimal treatment approach and materials to use, and trials are ongoing to identify the optimal techniques.

Urogynaecology providers' attitudes towards postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Postnatal pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) has a high prevalence and morbidity amongst parturient women. Women should be counselled regarding postnatal PFD. Our aim was to determine urogynaecology providers' knowledge of risk and protective factors for postnatal PFD, and to assess their practice patterns in postnatal PFD counselling.