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Introduction/Purpose: Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is effective therapy for overactive bladder refractory to oral therapies, and non‐obstructive urinary retention. A subset of SNM devices is associated with infection requiring surgical removal. We sought to compare microbial compositions of explanted devices in the presence and absence of infection, by testing phase, and other clinical factors, and to investigate antibiotic resistance genes present in the biofilms. We analyzed resistance genes to antibiotics used in commercially‐available anti‐infective device coating/pouch formulations. We further sought to assess biofilm reconstitution by material type and microbial strain in vitro using a continuous‐flow stir tank bioreactor, which mimics human tissue with an indwelling device. We hypothesized that SNM device biofilms would differ in composition by infection status, and genes encoding resistance to rifampin and minocycline would be frequently detected. Materials/Methods: Patients scheduled to undergo removal or revision of SNM devices were consented per IRB‐approved protocol (IRB 20‐415). Devices were swabbed intraoperatively upon exposure, with controls and precautions to reduce contamination of the surrounding field. Samples and controls were analyzed with next‐generation sequencing and RT‐PCR, metabolomics, and culture‐based approaches. Associations between microbial diversity or microbial abundance, and clinical variables were then analyzed using t‐tests and ANOVA. Reconstituted biofilm deposition in vitro using the bioreactor was compared by microbial strain and material type using plate‐based assays and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Thirty seven devices were analyzed, all of which harbored detectable microbiota. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota were the most common phyla present overall. Beta‐diversity differed in the presence versus absence of infection (p = 0.014). Total abundance, based on normalized microbial counts, differed by testing phase (p < 0.001), indication for placement (p = 0.02), diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001), cardiac disease (p = 0.008) and history of UTI (p = 0.008). Significant microbe‐metabolite interaction networks were identified overall and in the absence of infection. 24% of biofilms harbored the tetA tetracycline/minocycline resistance gene and 53% harbored the rpoB rifampin resistance gene. Biofilm was reconstituted across tested strains and material types. Ceramic and titanium did not differ in biofilm deposition for any tested strain. Conclusions: All analyzed SNM devices harbored microbiota. Device biofilm composition differed in the presence and absence of infection and by testing phase. Antibiotic resistance genes including to rifampin and tetracycline/minocycline, which are used in commercially‐available anti‐infective pouches, were frequently detected. Isolated organisms from SNM devices demonstrated the ability to reconstitute biofilm formation in vitro. Biofilm deposition was similar between ceramic and titanium, materials used in commercially‐available SNM device casings. The findings and techniques used in this study together provide the basis for the investigation of the next generation of device materials and coatings, which may employ novel alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Such alternatives might include bacterial competition, quorum‐sensing modulation, or antiseptic application, which could reduce infection risk without significantly selecting for antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We present the surgical management and outcomes of patients who underwent transvaginal neo-bladder vaginal fistula (NBVF) repair at our institution. Methods: Between 2002 and 2012, eight patients underwent transvaginal NBVF repair. The surgical management entailed placing a Foley catheter into the fistula tract. A circumferential incision was made around the fistula tract after which a plane between the serosa of the neobladder and the vaginal epithelium was created. Interrupted polyglycolic acid sutures were used to close the fistula. An additional layer of vaginal wall, Martius, or omental flap was interposed before vaginal wall closure. A urethral catheter was placed for a minimum of 14 days and removed after a negative cystogram and pelvic exam with retrograde neobladder filling without leakage. Results: All patients presented with a fistula following radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder. Two patients had failed two prior transvaginal fistula repairs. A unilateral Martius flap was used in five patients and an omental flap was used in one patient. The surgery was successful in all patients. After a mean follow up of 33 months [4-117], five patients underwent or are waiting to undergo management of stress urinary incontinence with bulking agents. No patient had a recurrent fistula. Conclusions: Management of NBVF is challenging but cure is possible using a transvaginal approach. Most patients will suffer from incontinence after the repair because of a short and incompetent urethra. Patients should be counseled about the high probability of requiring a secondary procedure to achieve continence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Vaginal distension (VD) in outbred rats has been shown to decrease urethral resistance, as well as increase the expression of the stem cell-homing chemokine, monocyte chemotactic factor 3 (MCP-3), but not stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1). The aim of this study was to determine if similar responses are induced by VD in an inbred rat strain. Methods Forty female Lewis rats underwent VD or sham VD followed by leak point pressure (LPP) testing 4 or 10 days later. Ten additional rats served as controls. The urethra and vagina were then dissected for histology. To examine chemokine expression, eight additional rats underwent VD with organs harvested immediately or 1 day after the procedure for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of MCP-3 and SDF-1. Four age-matched rats served as controls. Results Four days after VD, LPP was significantly lower in VD rats (14.3 ± 1.6 cmH2O) than controls (18.7 ± 1.3 cmH2O). Ten days after VD, LPP in both VD (19.7 ± 2.6 cmH2O) and sham (18.4 ± 1.3 cmH2O) groups was not significantly different from controls. Urethral histology demonstrated marked disruption and atrophy of smooth and striated muscle in VD rats compared to shams and controls. RT-PCR yielded a 25-fold significant increase in expression of urethral MCP-3 immediately following VD. SDF-1 was significantly decreased in the urethra and vagina immediately after VD and in the bladder 24 hr after VD. Conclusion VD in Lewis rats produces functional, histological and molecular results similar to that of outbred rats. This model could be utilized in future studies investigating cellular transplant methods of improving urethral function. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:356-361, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Literature regarding the management of iatrogenic foreign body in the bladder and urethra following female pelvic reconstructive surgery, especially mesh erosion, are sparse. We present our recent experience with the removal of iatrogenic foreign bodies from the bladder and urethra and propose a treatment algorithm. Methods A retrospective review yielded 22 patients with iatrogenic foreign body in the bladder or urethra between 1/1998 and 12/2005. Presenting complaints, cystoscopic findings, operative techniques, and outcomes were reviewed. Results Source surgery of the iatrogenic foreign bodies included bladder suspension in 9 patients, synthetic sling in 11 patients, abdominal sacrocolpopexy and porcine dermis sling in 1 patient each. The majority of patients presented with multiple voiding dysfunctions including overactive bladder symptoms (11), incontinence (5), chronic pelvic or urethral pain (7), urinary tract infections (7), obstructive voiding symptoms (5), and gross hematuria (3). Eleven cases were managed endoscopically, 4 using the holmium laser. One patient required subsequent cystorrhaphy. Four patients were managed with urethroplasty, 4 with cystorrhaphy, and the remainder utilizing a combination of techniques. No patients required complex reconstruction with interposition flaps. Conclusions The diagnosis of iatrogenic foreign bodies in the lower urinary tract requires a high index of suspicion and a low threshold for performing cystoscopy. From this series, we have found that sutures can most often be managed successfully with endoscopic techniques, whereas mesh is best managed with cystorrhaphy and/or urethroplasty. To our knowledge, our series represents the largest number of reported iatrogenic foreign body removals at a single institution. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:491-495, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]