Frequency of Cervix Dysplasia in Women with Prolapsed Uterus: Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study at Panzi General Referral Hospital

Introduction: According to the WHO (January 7, 2022), cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide among women of childbearing age. However, cervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable due to its well-known disease history which goes through several detectable pre-cancerous phases with available treatments. There are very few data on the prevalence of dysplastic lesions of the cervix in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Panzi General Referral Hospital is a care center for women with genital prolapse, and our study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysplastic lesions of the cervix in this particular population. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study of all women aged ≥ 18 years who consulted at the HGR Panzi from September 01 to December 31, 2022, diagnosed with uterine prolapse and who consented to the study. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 47.44 (±14.42) years and the majority (67.7%) of them were aged 40 and over. For all of the respondents, the Pap smear was normal in 62.6% and inflammatory in 2% of cases, while cytological abnormalities, which were found in 35.4% of cases, including 12.1% of lesions high-grade dysplastic (HSIL), i.e. 12 out of a total of 99 women examined. Conclusion: Women with uterine prolapse are twice as likely to develop dysplastic lesions as the general female population. A screening and management program for these lesions is essential in our preoperative protocol at the HGR Panzi and at the national level in general.

Plasma Levels of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 in Women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Objective: In women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP), decreased expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) has been shown in POP tissues. However, no studies have evaluated plasma TGF-β1 levels in patients with POP, so it is unknown whether they are also changed or not. Therefore, we compared plasma TGF-β1 levels in women with and without POP. Methods: Participants were 49 women with POP and 23 healthy control women. All participants were postmenopausal. We measured plasma TGF-β1 and compared data between patients with POP and controls, and between patients with uterine prolapse (UP, n = 19) and those with a cystocele (CC, n = 30). In addition, in patients, we assessed the POP quantification system (POP-Q) stage. Results: Plasma TGF-β1 levels were significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls. POP-Q stage was not significantly different between the UP and CC subgroups, but POP-Q stage IV was diagnosed in 63% of patients with UP and 7% of those with CC. Plasma TGF-β1 levels were significantly lower in the CC subgroup than in the UP subgroup. Conclusion: Plasma TGF-β1 is decreased in POP. It remains unclear whether the lower levels indicate a reduction in systemic TGF-β1 activity, but they can be assumed to reflect reduced TGF-β1 expression in POP tissues.

Uterus-reserved or hysterectomized total pelvic floor reconstruction for female pelvic dysfunction:a clinical analysis of 74 cases

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the entire pelvic floor reconstruction(Prolift) with uterus reserved in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction diseases.Methods From March 2008 to January 2009,74 female cases from our hospital who had different defects in pelvic organ prolapse were treated with the entire reconstructive pelvic surgery,in which 38 had uterus retained(observation group) and 36 cases had hysterectomy(control group).The two groups were compared.The patients with combined stress urinary incontinence had transobturator tension-free vaginal tape(TVT-O technique) at the same time.The results of operations were objectively evaluatedaccording to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification sub-degree method(POP-Q) developed by the International Continence Society.Results For observation group,the average operative time was 50 min,and the average amount of bleeding was 100 mL.For control group,the average operative time was 110 min,and the average amount of bleeding was 200 mL.During the postoperative follow-up(8 ~18 months),in the observation group the structures of patients' pelvic floor were normal;stress urinary incontinence was all cured;related symptoms disappeared or were markedly improved;and no postoperative infection appeared.In control group,two cases had postoperative infection;the patients ' pelvic structures were normal during the postoperative follow-up;the related symptoms disappeared or were significantly improved.After 3 months,POP-Q score was significantly elevated in the two groups.Conclusion Full reconstructive pelvic surgery with uterus retained can complete the whole pelvic floor structure and function of all or part of the reconstruction with fast recovery and clear short-term effect.However,the long-term efficacy remains to be revealed.

Clinical analysis of laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension in the treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension for severe pelvic organ prolapse(POP).Methods:Thirty-eight patients who underwent laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension for pelvic organ prolapse in the gynecology department of our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were selected for retrospective analysis.Postoperative outcomes were recorded for patients at 3,6,and 12 months postoperatively.Results:All 38 patients completed the surgery safely,and the duration of surgery was 85-190 min,with a mean of(138±40.75)min;surgical bleeding was 30-80 ml,with a mean of(57±35.4)ml;the duration of postoperative catheterization was 4-6 days,with a mean of(5±0.73)days;postoperative hospitalization was 6-12 days,with a mean of(8.49±2.18)days.2.18)days.At 3,6,and 12 months after the end of surgery,all follow-up patients had their uterus and anterior vaginal wall restored to normal position without prolapse.The pelvic floor rehabilitation of the patients after surgery was good and their sexual life was significantly improved in all cases.Conclusion:Laparoscopic lateral peritoneal suspension for severe pelvic organ prolapse is safe,efficacious,minimally traumatic,less painful,with short hospital stay,fast postoperative recovery,greater choice of uterine de-positioning,with the advantages of permanence and good pelvic floor anatomical recovery,and this procedure can maintain a certain vaginal length with 100%efficiency,which is worthy of clinical promotion.