6 results on '"Pfeifer, Samantha M."'
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2. Aqueous vaginal contrast and scheduled hematocolpos with magnetic resonance imaging to delineate complex müllerian anomalies.
- Author
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Romanski PA, Aluko A, Bortoletto P, Troiano RN, and Pfeifer SM
- Subjects
- Abnormalities, Multiple diagnosis, Abnormalities, Multiple pathology, Abnormalities, Multiple surgery, Adolescent, Contrast Media chemistry, Female, Hematocolpos etiology, Hematocolpos pathology, Hematocolpos surgery, Humans, Kidney abnormalities, Kidney diagnostic imaging, Kidney surgery, New York, Urogenital Abnormalities complications, Urogenital Abnormalities pathology, Urogenital Abnormalities surgery, Uterus abnormalities, Uterus surgery, Vagina abnormalities, Vagina pathology, Vagina surgery, Water chemistry, Hematocolpos diagnosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods, Urogenital Abnormalities diagnosis, Vagina diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Objective: To demonstrate the advantage of using aqueous vaginal contrast and scheduled hematocolpos with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to improve the delineation of gynecologic anatomy and to recommend that this modality be considered in patients with complex müllerian anomalies., Design: Video demonstration of MRI adjuncts to improve visualization of gynecologic anatomy., Setting: Academic Hospital., Patient(s): A patient with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) who presented for definitive surgical management., Intervention(s): OHVIRA is a unilateral obstructed müllerian anomaly that presents typically after menarche with progressively worsening dysmenorrhea caused by progressive distension of the obstructed hemivagina and uterine horn. The definitive treatment for this anomaly is resection of the unilateral obstruction. When the obstructed hemivagina is within close proximity to the patent hemivagina, vaginal septum resection should be performed to relieve the obstruction successfully. However, when the obstructed hemivagina and uterine horn are not adjacent to the patent hemivagina, a simple septum resection is not feasible and there is a high rate of restenosis if anastomosis is attempted. In this case, laparoscopic removal of the obstructed uterine horn, fallopian tube, cervix, and vagina should be considered as an alternative approach to resolving the obstruction. A surgical approach can be recommended only once the surgeon has a clear understanding of the patient's pelvic anatomy and the magnitude of the obstruction. In the presented case, a 17-year-old patient with OHVIRA presented for definitive surgical management. While on hormonal suppression, a pelvic MRI was performed that identified a uterus didelphys with a left hemiuterus and cervix communicating with a patent vagina. The right hemiuterus and cervix were measured 2.5 cm from the patent vagina. However, because of hormonal suppression, the vaginal cavity was decompressed, making it very difficult to discern the relationship between the two uteri and vaginas. To better determine whether vaginal septum resection to relieve the obstruction was feasible, norethindrone was discontinued to allow menstrual blood to fill the obstructed hemivagina followed by a subsequent pelvic MRI with aqueous vaginal contrast to fill the patent vagina with contrast gel to improve the visualization of the decompressed vaginal cavities., Main Outcome Measure(s): Advantage of aqueous vaginal contrast and scheduled hematocolpos with MRI to image pelvic anatomy in a patient with a complex müllerian anomaly to guide surgical decision-making., Result(s): The addition of vaginal aqueous contrast clearly delineated the course and caliber of the patent vagina and its relationship to the obstructed hemivagina, now filled with blood. The inferior margin was in closer proximity to the patent vagina, but with only a very narrow segment (<1 cm) adjacent to the patent vagina and the obstructed cervix was displaced superiorly, now measuring 3.5 cm above the patent vagina. Surgical management options were discussed with the patient, and given the superior location of the obstructed uterus and cervix with only a narrow border of the vagina in continuity with the patent vagina, the risk of postoperative stenosis after vaginal septum resection was determined to be too high. The decision was made to proceed with a laparoscopic resection of the obstructed right side, and the patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the right hemiuterus, fallopian tube, cervix, and vagina. Intraoperatively, a survey of the pelvis again confirmed that the two vaginas were too far to reconnect safely without a high risk of stenosis. The patient recovered without complications postoperatively and her menses resumed without any pain., Conclusion(s): We highlight the use of two techniques to optimize MRI imaging of pelvic anatomy in a patient with a complex müllerian anomaly. First, the use of aqueous vaginal contrast with MRI is advantageous to clearly delineate the course and caliber of the patent vagina in patients with complex gynecologic anatomy. Second, cessation of hormonal suppression to allow menstruation to cause hematocolpos helped delineate the relationship between the obstructed vagina and patent vagina. In the presented case, these MRI adjuncts provided necessary detail that could not be appreciated with standard MRI to confirm that vaginal septum resection to preserve the right uterus would be too high a risk for postoperative stenosis in this patient. Aqueous vaginal contrast and scheduled hematocolpos should be considered as adjuncts to MRI when standard imaging modalities are unable to clearly describe the relationship between pelvic structures in cases of complex müllerian anomalies to help guide treatment recommendations., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. ASRM müllerian anomalies classification 2021.
- Author
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Pfeifer SM, Attaran M, Goldstein J, Lindheim SR, Petrozza JC, Rackow BW, Siegelman E, Troiano R, Winter T, Zuckerman A, and Ramaiah SD
- Subjects
- Cervix Uteri abnormalities, Cervix Uteri diagnostic imaging, Female, Humans, Male, Mullerian Ducts abnormalities, Predictive Value of Tests, Urogenital Abnormalities classification, Uterus diagnostic imaging, Vagina abnormalities, Decision Support Techniques, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Mullerian Ducts diagnostic imaging, Terminology as Topic, Ultrasonography, Urogenital Abnormalities diagnostic imaging, Uterus abnormalities, Vagina diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
There are many proposed classification systems for müllerian anomalies. The American Fertility Society (AFS) Classification from 1988 has been the most recognized and utilized. The advantages of this iconic classification include its simplicity, recognizability, and correlation with clinical pregnancy outcomes. However, the AFS classification has been criticized for its focus primarily on uterine anomalies, with exclusion of those of the vagina and cervix, its lack of clear diagnostic criteria, and its inability to classify complex aberrations. Despite this classification and others, the wide range of müllerian anomalies is still largely unknown and confusing to many providers. Consequently, müllerian anomalies may go undiagnosed for extended periods, receive inappropriate or inadequate surgical interventions, and result in persistent issues such as pain or loss of reproductive function. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine Task Force on Müllerian Anomalies Classification was formed and charged with designing a new classification. The Task Force set goals for a new classification and chose to base it on the iconic AFS classification from 1988 because of its simplicity and recognizability, while expanding and updating it to include all categories of anomalies. In addition, this was recognized as an opportunity to raise awareness of this area of medicine, educate providers and learners, and promote patient advocacy. Presented here is the new American Society for Reproductive Medicine Müllerian Anomalies Classification 2021., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Creation of a novel inflatable vaginal stent for McIndoe vaginoplasty.
- Author
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Romanski PA, Bortoletto P, and Pfeifer SM
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, Humans, Vagina surgery, Video-Assisted Surgery methods, Congenital Abnormalities diagnosis, Congenital Abnormalities surgery, Dilatation methods, Plastic Surgery Procedures methods, Stents, Vagina abnormalities
- Abstract
Objective: To describe how to create an inflatable vaginal stent for use in McIndoe vaginoplasty that can be constructed using standard operating room supplies., Design: Step-by-step video instructions that demonstrate how to construct and use an inflatable vaginal stent. (This video article was exempt from institutional review board approval.) SETTING: Academic hospital., Patient(s): A woman presenting with vaginal agenesis requiring a McIndoe vaginoplasty for the creation of a neovagina., Intervention(s): A novel inflatable vaginal stent compliant with operating room procedures that is radio-opaque, functional, and can be used for patients with or without a functional uterus. The device is modeled after the effective inflatable vaginal stent that was previously commercially available but is no longer produced. Although a vaginal stent may be created in the operating room by placing surgical sponges inside a sterilized condom, many operating rooms have restrictions on equipment that can be brought into the operating room and special criteria for how to sterilize this equipment, and there are also restrictions against leaving non-radio-opaque objects "inside" the patient. The novel inflatable vaginal stent we have developed has multiple advantages compared with a rigid dilator: it is deflatable, so it does not cause trauma or interrupt the delicate tissue graft during insertion, removal, or repositioning; it is firm enough to conform and circumferentially press the tissue graft against the dissected vaginal space but is soft enough to decrease the risk of pressure necrosis or damage to the urethra; and it has a drainage port to prevent the buildup of a fluid pocket that could interfere with graft adherence. Our stent incorporates all these unique properties and can be easily constructed using sterile operating room supplies. The construction of this device requires a silicone Foley catheter, sterile foam sponges from a vaginal prep kit, a sterile radio-opaque sponge, a sterile vaginal ultrasound probe cover, a long Kelly, a 60-cc catheter tip syringe, a ruler, scissors, 0-vicryl suture, and sterile gloves., Main Outcome Measure(s): Effectiveness of a self-made inflatable vaginal stent using standard operating room supplies that meets operating room protocol standards., Result(s): A standard dose of prophylactic antibiotics should be administered preoperatively to prevent surgical site infection. After placement of the tissue graft in the dissected neovagina cavity, the vaginal stent is placed and slowly inflated to circumferentially apply the tissue graft against the dissected vaginal space. The stent remains in place for 7 days and then should be removed in the operating room to allow for an examination under anesthesia, which provides the ideal setting to best evaluate the initial graft adherence. After careful inspection of the neovagina and tissue graft, a standard silicone vaginal mold is placed to maintain vaginal patency and prevent stricture of the tissue graft. The silicone mold should remain in place continuously until complete graft adherence occurs (approximately 4 to 6 weeks), and then it can be worn nightly until the patient is regularly sexually active. If at any point the patient discontinues nightly use of the silicone mold before regular sexual activity, vaginal stricture and a decrease in vaginal caliber will occur., Conclusion(s): Our novel inflatable vaginal stent is useful to surgeons performing a McIndoe vaginoplasty for vaginal agenesis with or without a uterus. It is compliant with operating room protocols and restrictions, as it is constructed from operating room supplies and is radio-opaque. Moreover, it is adjustable in size and effective in applying circumferential pressure for graft adherence. When used for segmental vaginal agenesis, the Foley catheter may be advanced through the cervix, then the balloon can be inflated, to stabilize the position of the stent during the first week postoperatively. The main limitation of this device is that it must be constructed by the surgeon, but the advantage of self-constructing the stent is that the size and shape can be tailored to conform to each individual patient. We prefer this inflatable vaginal stent to a rigid vaginal dilator in the first week of tissue healing to allow for easy insertion and removal of the stent without disrupting the tissue graft, to help prevent tissue necrosis, and to provide a fluid drainage port during graft adherence. We recommend this device as an ideal option for surgeons to consider when performing a McIndoe vaginoplasty., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Vaginoplasty with an Autologous Buccal Mucosa Fenestrated Graft in Two Patients with Vaginal Agenesis: A Multidisciplinary Approach and Literature Review.
- Author
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Chan JL, Levin PJ, Ford BP, Stanton DC, and Pfeifer SM
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Female, Humans, Vagina surgery, Young Adult, Congenital Abnormalities surgery, Gynecologic Surgical Procedures methods, Mouth Mucosa transplantation, Vagina abnormalities
- Abstract
Here we describe the procedure and outcomes of a multidisciplinary approach to vaginoplasty using autologous buccal mucosa fenestrated grafts in 2 patients with vaginal agenesis. This procedure resulted in anatomic success, with a functional neovagina with good vaginal length and caliber and satisfactory sexual function capacity and well-healed buccal mucosa. There were no complications, and the patients were satisfied with the surgical results. We conclude that the use of a single fenestrated graft of autologous buccal mucosa is a simple, effective procedure for the treatment of vaginal agenesis that results in an optimally functioning neovagina with respect to vaginal length, caliber, and sexual capacity., (Copyright © 2017 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Reproductive surgery for müllerian anomalies: a review of progress in the last decade.
- Author
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Ludwin, Artur and Pfeifer, Samantha M.
- Subjects
- *
FALLOPIAN tubes , *HUMAN abnormalities , *SURGERY , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *FERTILITY preservation , *VAGINA - Abstract
Disorders of development, fusion, or resorption of paired müllerian ducts and urogenital sinus may cause various congenital malformations of the corpus uteri, cervix, vagina, and fallopian tubes. Classification systems have been developed to better characterize these anomalies, and each has advantages and disadvantages. Clinical correlation of classification of anomalies with pre- and postsurgical outcomes is needed to better direct treatment. Methods to evaluate these anomalies are primarily radiologic studies, with diagnostic surgery rarely used. Treatment of müllerian anomalies used to focus on relief of symptoms. Now, as diagnostic and surgical options have expanded, preservation or improvement of reproductive potential is a primary goal. As a consequence, controversies in surgical management have also developed. Future directions in this field include better-quality studies with the use of consistent diagnostic criteria to evaluate impacts of treatment on clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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