Journal Club

Upcoming Journal Clubs

More Info Coming Soon!

Previous Journal Clubs

Wednesday, May 29, 2024
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific

Presenter
Susan Luong, MD, FRCSC
University of Ottawa

Article
Antibiotics for UTI Prevention After Intradetrusor OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections

Wednesday, March 20, 2024
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific

Presenter: 
Magdalene Payne
University of Toronto

Article:
Evaluating the Long-term Impact of Implementing Standardized Postoperative Opioid Prescribing Recommendations Following Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery

Wednesday, January 17, 2024
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific

Presenter:
Chelsea Harris
Dalhousie University

Article:
The Effect of Subsequent Pregnancy and Childbirth on Stress Urinary Incontinence Recurrence Following Mid-Urethral Sling procedure: A Meta-Analysis


Wednesday, November 29, 2023
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific

Presenter:
Christina Yang
University of Calgary

Article:
Vaginal Estrogen in Breast Cancer

Wednesday, October 11, 2023*
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific

Article:
Overextending: A Qualitative Study of Trainees Learning at the Edge of Evolving Expertise

Presenter:
Jena Hall, MD, MEd, FRCSC
University of Calgary

Wednesday, May 10, 2023
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific
*No recording available.

Article:
Permanent Compared with Absorbable Suture

Presenter:
Sarah Wozney, MD, FRCSC
Dalhousie University

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific

Article:
Universal Urogynecologic Consultation and Screening for Fecal Incontinence in Pregnant Women with a History of OASIS: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Presenter
Lina Roa, MD, MPH, FRCSC
Female Pelvic Medicine Reconstructive Surgery Fellow

 

Patient Perspectives on Pooled Surgical Wait Lists in Urogynecology, Pre-and Post-Pandemic
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific
Hosted by University of Ottawa


Article:
Patient attitudes toward pooled surgical waitlists in urogynecology

 

Efficacy of vaginal Estradiol and Vaginal Moisturizer for Treatment of Postmenopausal Vulvovaginal Symptoms (VVS) 
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central/5:00pm Mountain/4:00pm Pacific
Hosted by University of Toronto

Efficacy of Vaginal Estradiol or Vaginal Moisturizer vs Placebo for Treating Postmenopausal Vulvovaginal Symptoms

 

Wednesday, September 28, 2022
7:30pm Eastern/6:30pm Central/5:30pm Mountain/4:30pm Pacific
Hosted by University of Alberta

A Comparative Study on the Effects of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Technology and Electrostimulation for the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Muscles and Urinary Incontinence in Parous Women: Analysis of Posttreatment Data 

Electromyographic Evaluation of the Pelvic Muscles Activity After High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Procedure and Electrical Stimulation in Women With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction 

Safety and Efficacy of a Non-Invasive High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Field (HIFEM) Device for Treatment of Urinary Incontinence and Enhancement of Quality of Life 

 

Fellowship Programs

Dalhousie University
Program Director: Anita Smith, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Administrative Staff: Michelle Pineau, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/obstetrics/education/fellowships.html
Length of Program: 2 years
Accepting trainees every 2 years
Application Deadline: application deadline May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Required: *see website (Postgrad application form; CV; letter of intent; 3 references; postgrad director letter)

McGill University
Program Director: Dr. Lisa Merovitz, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Admistrative Staff: Dolly Rabbath, Lisa Campbell, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Length of Program: 2 years
Accepting trainees every year
Application Deadline: May 15 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Required: Required documents are listed on the following website - https://www.mcgill.ca/pgme/fellowships/admissions,
CV, personal statement, 3 reference letters. A specialty Certificate if they have completed the program and a letter of standing from the Program Director.
Additional Note: Funding is available for a fellow for the years 2024-2026

McMaster University
Program Director: Dr. Ola Malabarey, 905-521-2100 ext. 76252
Administrative Staff: Heather Shiskoski, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Length of Program: 2 years
Accepting trainees every 2 years
Application Deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Required: https://pgme.mcmaster.ca/apply/fellowships-application/

Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University
Program Director: Dr. Queena Chou, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel: (519) 646-6343
Administrative Staff: Samantha Kreamer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: (519) 685-8500 Ext 56362
Website: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/obsgyn/fellowship_programs/urogynaecology.html
Length of program: 2 years
Accepts 1-2 trainees every year
Application Deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Required: Candidate Letter of Intent/Personal Statement, CV, 3 Letters of Reference
Additional Notes: Funding is available although individualized based on situation of the candidate (i.e., self-funded by sponsoring agency or not)

University of Alberta (Edmonton)

Program Director: Dr. Erin Kelly, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Administrative Staff: Tracey Curtis, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Website: https://www.ualberta.ca/obstetrics-gynecology/education-programs/fellowship-and-postdoc-opportunities/female-pelvic-medicine-fellowship/index.html
Length of program: 2 years
Accepting trainees every 2 years
Application Deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents required for application: Application Process
Additional notes for applicants: Overview and Funding and Financial Support

University of British Columbia
Program Director: Roxana Geoffrion, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Administrative Staff: Mamta Rohra, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Website: https://obgyn.ubc.ca/education/advanced-training-programs/fpmrs/
Length of Program: 2 years
Accepting 1 fellow every 2 years, next start for July 1, 2024
Application Deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Required: Letter of intent, CV, 3 reference letters
Additional Notes: One-month electives in urogynecology at UBC are encouraged prior to application

University of Calgary
Program Director: Dr. Erin Brennand
Administrative Staff: Katiane Ummels, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Accepting fellows every 1 year, with some flexibility available for start dates between July and December
Application Deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Required: CV, 3 Letters of Reference, Letter of Application explaining interest in Urogyne program

Université de Montréal
Program Director: Dr. Barbara Reichetzer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Administrative Staff: Sandra Charland, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 514 890-8000, poste 32593
Website: https://deptobsgyn.umontreal.ca/etudes/stages-de-perfectionnement/urogynecologie-et-chirurgie-de-reconstruction-du-plancher-pelvien/
Length of Program: 2 years
Accepting trainees every 2 years
Application Deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Require: Recommendation Letter, Motivation Letter, Resume

University of Ottawa / The Ottawa Hospital
Program Director: Hisham Khalil, BSc, MD, FRCSC, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Administrative Staff: Erica Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Length of Program: 2 years
Accepting trainees every year
Application Deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents Required: 3 reference letters, letter of intent, CV

University of Toronto Urogynecology fellowship
Mount Sinai Hospital Urogynecology fellowship
Sunnybrook Urogynecology fellowship
Program Directors: Patricia Lee, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Danny Lovatsis, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Administrative Staff: Maureen, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://urogyne.ca/program-descriptions-application/#uoft
Length of program: 2 years
Accepting trainees: Typically, every year for the Joint Fellowship (variable for the Mt Sinai site only or Sunnybrook site only fellowships)
Application deadline: May 30 and decision date June 30 of the year before fellowship start
Documents required for application LOI, CV, 3 references and application form: https://obgyn.utoronto.ca/application-guidelines-and-document-checklist

 

University of Calgary

Research Spotlight


Research Highlights

  • Dr. Erin Brennand is one of the co-PIs on the GROWW (Guiding interdisciplinary Research on Women's and girls health and Wellbeing) project which is a $2.4M team grant funded by the CIHR. This is a University of Calgary led national health research training program focusing on girls and women's health from a life-course perspective. Co-PIs also include Dr. Amy Metcalfe (U of Calgary), Dr. Jennifer Gorden (U of Regina) and Dr. Ryan van Leishout (McMaster), as well as 57 investigators from 23 academic institutions, representing 8 provinces and 1 territory, as well as multiple partners from government, industry and the not-for-profit sector. This program will develop capacity for women's health research in Canada by training the next generation of graduate students and clinical trainees. (The Section of FPMRS at U of Calgary was a valued stakeholder in the proposal's development and is a formal stakeholder).
  • The O’Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary is also in the midst of developing a Sex, Gender and Women's Health Research Unit which will be headed by Dr. Erin Brennand. Stay tuned for more interesting research from this group.

Featured Publications
Kim-Fine S, Antosh DD, Balk EM, Meriwether KV, Kanter G, Dieter AA, Mamik MM, Good M, Singh R, Alas A, Foda M, Rahn DD, Rogers RG. Relationship of postoperative vaginal anatomy and sexual function: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Aug;32(8):2125-2134. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04829-4. Epub 2021 May 14. PMID: 33988785

  • Dr. Kim-Fine (FPMRS, University of Calgary) led this esteemed group of international FPMRS specialists in a planned secondary analysis of a systematic review by the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons Systematic Review Group (2020). This secondary review sought to describe the relationships between vaginal anatomic measures and sexual function outcomes before and following POP surgery. The primary aim of this systematic review was to determine whether pre- and post-operative TVL and GH were related to sexual function scores and dyspareunia after POP repair.
  • For the primary systematic review, randomized controlled trials and prospective nonrandomized comparative studies that compared different POP surgeries and evaluated sexual function as measured with either validated questionnaires or dyspareunia outcomes in women undergoing POP surgery were included.
  • In the original search in 2018, 3124 studies were screened and 74 papers representing 67 original studies were accepted. PISQ-12 was the most commonly reported validated questionnaire (in 26 studies). Nine studies reported TVL and dyspareunia outcomes, eight studies reported GH and PISQ-12 outcomes, and seven studies reported GH and dyspareunia outcomes.
  • Associations of PISQ-12 and total vaginal length: Across studies change in PISQ-12 after POP surgery was significantly associated with pre-operative TVL (adjusted β = −2.4, 95% CI –4.6 to −0.2, p = 0.033). In studies with shorter mean TVL preoperatively, patients had larger increases in PISQ-12, and better sexual function after surgery. However, change in PISQ-12 was not associated with postoperative TVL or change in TVL.
  • Associations of dyspareunia and total vaginal length: Neither pre- nor post-operative TVL was associated with total or de novo dyspareunia.
  • Associations of PISQ-12 and genital hiatus: Neither pre- nor post-operative GH was associated with PISQ-12.
  • Associations of dyspareunia and genital hiatus: The mean pre-operative GH was not associated with pre- or post-operative dyspareunia or de novo dyspareunia. There were insufficient observations to meta-analyze for associations between post-operative dyspareunia/de novo dyspareunia and post-operative GH or change in GH.
  • CONCLUSION: Evidence does not support an association between vaginal anatomic measurements and sexual function scores and dyspareunia following POP surgery. Future studies should aim to report pre- and post-operative outcome measures according to the most recent IUGA/ICS joint report on the terminology for the assessment of sexual health of women with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Cummings S, RamageK, Scime NV, Ahmed SB, Brennand EA. Gender expression is associated with selection of uterine preservation or hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse surgery: Novel methodology for sex- and gender-based analysis in gynecologic research. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14169. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35262193.

  • This is a study out of the Calgary Women's Pelvic Health Research Group, led by Dr. Brennand, and was supported through a CIHR Women's Health Clinical Mentorship Grant and M.S.I. Foundation Grant. 
  • This study specifically aimed to determine if gender expression is associated with patients' choice of whether to have the uterus preserved or removed during POP surgery. This is the first known study to investigate gender expression in a clinical gynecologic study.
  • Data was collected from a prospective cohort of patients undergoing their first POP surgery. Patients were able to self-select their study group, either the uterine-preserving or hysterectomy-based groups for POP procedure.
  • Gender expression was measured through self-report before surgery. Using a framework set by Magliozzi et al (a short gender expression tool), participants ranked how they saw themselves on a scale of 0 (not at all) and 6 (very) for both femininity and masculinity. 
  • Baseline scores were collected in 177 patients, all of whom were cisgender, and 165 patients underwent surgery with 58 patients in the uterine-preserving group and 107 in the hysterectomy group. 
  • In the multivariable model adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and patient reported outcomes based on POP symptoms, women with non-polar gender scores had higher odds of selecting uterine-preserving surgery (OR of 2.53 (95% CI 1.06–6.09)). 
  • Key findings of this study included: (1) variation in gender scores and the concept of gender expression exist even within a group of cisgender, nearly all heterosexual, women, (2) gender score was not strongly associated with sociodemographic variables, and (3) gender expression is associated with a women's decision making to have their uterus preserved or removed at the time of POP surgery. 
  • CONCLUSION: Women with masculine traits (non-polarity) in gender expression were more likely to choose uterine-preservation over hysterectomy to treat POP. This is an important finding and suggests that uterine-preserving surgeries should be widely offered to those seeking POP surgery. This study also demonstrated the feasibility of using a short gender expression tool and advocates for further gender expression research in gynecologic health.

2021-2022 Publication List

Edwards A, Carter Ramirez A, Scime NV, Kim-Fine S, Brennand EA. Authors' Reply (RE. Does Size Matter? Opioid Use after Laparoscopy for Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Using an 8 mm versus 10-12 mm Accessory Port. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2021 Dec 17:S1553-4650(21)01325-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2021.12.007. ) J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2022 Jan 31:S1553-4650(22)00041-3. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2022.01.013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35101630.

Chaikof M, McDermott CD, Brennand E, Sanaee M. Patients Seeking "Vaginoplasty" Deserve Assessment and Treatment by Experts in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Aesthet Surg J. 2021 Mar 12;41(4):NP148-NP149. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjaa286. PMID: 33165577; PMCID: PMC7954535.

Walter JE, Brennand EA, Lemos N, Cundiff GW; Canadian Society of Pelvic Medicine Mesh Complications Writing Group. Letter: Canadian Society of Pelvic Medicine Response to the Collège des Médecins du Québec Rapport d'Enquête. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2021 Mar;43(3):298-299. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2020.10.004. Erratum in: J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2021 May;43(5):650. PMID: 33640099.

Scime NV, Brown HK, Metcalfe A, Brennand EA. Prevalence of Hysterectomy by Self-Reported Disability Among Canadian Women: Findings from a National Cross- Sectional Survey. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2021 Nov 29;2(1):557-565. doi: 10.1089/whr.2021.0069. PMID: 34909762; PMCID: PMC8665278.

Walter JE, Brennand EA, Lemos N, Cundiff GW; Canadian Society of Pelvic Medicine Mesh Complications Writing Group. Corrigendum to 'Canadian Society of Pelvic Medicine Response to the Collège des Médecins du Québec Rapport d'Enquête' [Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada 43/3 (2021) 298-299]. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2021 May;43(5):650. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2021.03.008. Erratum for: J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2021 Mar;43(3):298-299. PMID: 33992128.

Scime NV, Ramage K, Brennand EA; Calgary Women’s Pelvic Health Research Group. Protocol for a prospective multisite cohort study investigating hysterectomy versus uterine preservation for pelvic organ prolapse surgery: the HUPPS study. BMJ Open. 2021 Oct 4;11(10):e053679. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053679. PMID: 34607873; PMCID: PMC8491422.

Edwards A, Carter Ramirez A, Scime NV, Kim-Fine S, Brennand EA. Does Size Matter? Opioid Use after Laparoscopy for Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Using an 8 mm versus 10-12 mm Accessory Port. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2021 Dec 17:S1553-4650(21)01325-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2021.12.007. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34929399.

Shah FI, Ramage K, Scime NV, Brennand EA, Walker LM. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Takes Up Space in the Bedroom: A Mixed Method Exploration of the Circular Sexual Response Cycle in Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2021 Nov 10. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001123. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34768257.

Anglim BC, Ramage K, Sandwith E, Brennand EA; Calgary Women’s Pelvic Health Research Group. Postoperative urinary retention after pelvic organ prolapse surgery: influence of peri-operative factors and trial of void protocol. BMC Womens Health. 2021 May 11;21(1):195. doi: 10.1186/s12905-021-01330-4. PMID: 33975584; PMCID: PMC8111911.

Cummings S, Ramage K, Scime NV, Ahmed SB, Brennand EA. Gender expression is associated with selection of uterine preservation or hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse surgery: Novel methodology for sex- and gender-based analysis in gynecologic research. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022 Mar 8. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.14169. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35262193.

Kim-Fine S, Greenfield J, Chaput KH, Robert M, Metz LM. Cannabinoids and bladder symptoms in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2021 Sep;54:103105. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103105. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

PMID: 34216995

Antosh DD, Dieter AA, Balk EM, Kanter G, Kim-Fine S, Meriwether KV, Mamik MM, Good MM, Singh R, Alas A, Foda MA, Rahn DD, Rogers RG. Sexual function after pelvic organ prolapse surgery: a systematic review comparing different approaches to pelvic floor repair. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Nov;225(5):475.e1-475.e19. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.05.042. Epub 2021 Jun 2. PMID: 34087227

Kim-Fine S, Antosh DD, Balk EM, Meriwether KV, Kanter G, Dieter AA, Mamik MM, Good M, Singh R, Alas A, Foda M, Rahn DD, Rogers RG. Relationship of postoperative vaginal anatomy and sexual function: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Aug;32(8):2125-2134. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04829-4. Epub 2021 May 14. PMID: 33988785  

Sandwith E, Robert M. Rug-pee study: the prevalence of urinary incontinence among female university rugby players. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Feb; 32(2):281-285. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04510-2. Epub 2020 Aug 28. PMID: 32857177.

Flynn MJ, Campbell TS, Robert M, Nasr-Esfahani M, Rash JA. Intranasal oxytocin as a treatment for chronic pelvic pain: A randomized controlled feasibility study. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2021 Mar;152(3):425-432. doi:

10.1002/ijgo.13441. Epub 2020 Dec 8. PMID: 33112417.

McLean L, Charette M, Varette K, Brooks K, Harvey MA, Robert M, Baker K, Day A, Della Zazzera V, Sauerbrei E, Brison R. Pelvic floor muscle training as an adjunct to a midurethral sling: a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Mar 3. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04668-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33660001.

Brooks KCL, Varette K, Harvey MA, Robert M, Brison RJ, Day A, Baker K, Della Zazzera V, Sauerbrei E, McLean L. A model identifying characteristics predictive of successful pelvic floor muscle training outcomes among women with stress urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Mar;32(3):719-728. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04583-z. Epub 2020 Nov 25. PMID: 33237355; PMCID: PMC7902568

Rash JA, Campbell TS, Cooper L, Flusk D, MacInnes A, Nasr-Esfahani M, Mekhael AA, Poulin PA, Robert M, Yi Y. Evaluating the efficacy of intranasal oxytocin on pain and function among individuals who experience chronic pain: a protocol for a multisite, placebo-controlled, blinded, sequential, within-subjects crossover trial. BMJ Open. 2021 Sep 23;11(9):e055039. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055039. PMID: 34556520; PMCID: PMC8461687.

University of Alberta, Edmonton

Research Spotlight


Featured Publications

Lina Roa, Sarah Kent , Maryna Yaskina , Jane Schulz , Annick Poirier. Knowledge of pelvic floor disorders amongst immigrant women in Canada. International Urogynecology Journal. 2021 Nov;32(11):3077-3084 

Lina Roa and team assessed the knowledge of Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFDs) amongst women in Edmonton, hypothesizing that immigrant women are less knowledgeable about PFDs than Canadian-born women. Studies have shown that women with less knowledge of PFDs are less likely to seek care for these conditions. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 106 immigrant and 102 Canadian-born women using the Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ). The team found a significant difference between immigrant women and Canadian-born counterparts in Edmonton (12.7 versus 14.4, p = 0.04). Immigrant women have lower proficiency levels in their knowledge of symptoms, risk factors, and treatments for UI and POP. Importantly, this lack of knowledge has been associated with their passive health-seeking behavior. Congratulations to Dr. Roa and the team for highlighting the importance and need for designing interventions to educate immigrant women with PFDs to seek care for treatable conditions that will significantly enhance their quality of life and for publishing their work in International Urogynecology Journal.

View Publication

Research Highlights

  • An Assessment of Women’s Experiences of Virtual Care Delivery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from the Urogynecology Wellness Program. This project has been funded by the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute. The resident working on the project was awarded with a Resident grant; the medical student working in the project has received summer scholarships in 2021, and 2022.
  • Prophylactic Antibiotics During Treatment of Idiopathic Overactive Bladder with Intradetrusor Onabotulinumtoxin A for the Reduction of Postoperative UTI: A Randomized Blinded Placebo-controlled Trial. This clinical trial has been funded by the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute. Study participants are currently being recruited. Although recruitment was delayed due to COVID-19, the investigators are back on track to complete the recruitment.
  • Sarah Conrad is a second-year master’s student in the Rehabilitation Medicine (Physical Therapy) program whose research focuses on measurement tools based on patient experience in non-surgical environment to diagnose pelvic organ prolapse. She is a 3MT 2022 finalist. - VIEW PRESENTATION

2021-2022 Publication List

Wang R, Kaarid KP, Sanaee M. Barriers to Surgical Innovation Research: A Canadian Study on Public Funding Trends. Surg Innov. 2022 Apr 15. DOI: 10.1177/15533506221085469

Johnson GE, Kan L, Nguyen J, Campbell K, Ralph L, Koenig N, Sanaee M, Maher C, Cundiff GW. Development of patient-centered outcomes for labour and birth: a qualitative study. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2022; 49(1): 021.

Harvey MA, Lemieux M, Robert M, Schulz JA. Guideline No. 114: Vaginal Pessary Use. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canado. 2021;43(2):255-266.

Gyhagen M, Engh ME, Husslein H, Koelbl H, Nilsson IEK, Schulz J, Wagg A, Milsom I. Temporal trends in obstetric anal sphincter injury from the first vaginal delivery in Austria, Canada, Norway, and Sweden. Acta Obstetrica et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2021;100(11):1969-1976.

Roa L, Kent S, Yaskina M, Schulz J, Poirier A. Knowledge of pelvic floor disorders amongst immigrant women in Canada. International Urogynecology Journal. 2021;32:3077-3084.

Manz J, Hyakutake M, Kelly E. Calling for Openness to the Study of Cannabis Use in Chronic Pelvic Pain. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2021 May;43(5):611-613.

Chaikof M, McDermott CD, Brennand E, Sanaee M. Patients Seeking “Vaginoplasty” Deserve Assessment and Treatment by Experts in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2021;41(4):NP148-NP149.

University of Ottawa

Research Spotlight

Featured Publications

McLean L, Charette M, Varette K, Brooks K, Harvey MA, Robert M, Baker K, Day A, Della Zazzera V, Sauerbrei E, Brison R. Pelvic floor muscle training as an adjunct to a midurethral sling: a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J. 2022 Apr;33(4):809-819. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04668-9. Epub 2021 Mar 3. PMID: 33660001.

This was a single-blind randomised controlled trial comparing peri-operative physiotherapist-supervised pelvic floor muscle training versus receiving a pelvic floor muscle therapy handout. Efficacy on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) symptoms improvement and other urinary symptoms was assessed. Women with SUI planning mid-urethral sling insertion (N=103) were randomized to one of the 2 arms and followed for 3 months after the surgery; they were recontacted at up to 2 years. Women in the physiotherapy group (N=52) participated in 6 physiotherapist-led sessions over 12 weeks preoperatively, as well as 3 postoperative sessions, while the control group (N=51) received standard recommendations by handout. At 3 months postoperatively, all participants in both groups show improvement compared to baseline. The physiotherapy group reported better improvement in SUI symptoms and higher cure at 3 months postoperatively than the control group. However, no difference between groups was found on pad test, filling or voiding symptoms. Fifty-two women attended 1-year follow-up and 36 completed 2-year follow-up, with overall results similar to 3 months. It was concluded that a postoperative physiotherapist-led program of pelvic floor muscle training was more effective than providing handouts for SUI cure at 3 months postoperatively. Larger longer-term studies are needed.

2021-2022 Publication List

Stairs J, Rolnik D, Pascali D, Clancy A. Association between obstetrical anal sphincter injury and postpartum urinary retention: a contemportary nationwide cohort study. International Urogynecology Journal 2022. (epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s00192-022-05346-8).

Xia W, Ameri G, Fakim D, Akhuanzada H, Raza MZ, Abbas Shobeiri S, McLean L, Chen ECS. Automatic plane of minimal hiatal dimensions extraction from 3D female pelvic floor ultrasound. IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2022 Aug 19;PP. doi: 10.1109/TMI.2022.3199968. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35984794.

Arranz-Martín B, Navarro-Brazález B, Sánchez-Sánchez B, McLean L, Carazo-Díaz C, Torres-Lacomba M. The Impact of Hypopressive Abdominal Exercise on Linea Alba Morphology in Women Who Are Postpartum: A Short-Term Cross-Sectional Study. Phys Ther. 2022 Aug 4;102(8):pzac086. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac086. PMID: 35908286.

Niederauer S, Bérubé MÈ, Brennan A, McLean L, Hitchcock R. Pelvic floor tissue damping during running using an intra-vaginal accelerometry approach. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2022 Feb;92:105554. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105554. Epub 2021 Dec 29. PMID: 34974336; PMCID: PMC8863648.

Bernard S, McLean L, Boucher S, Hébert LJ, Plante M, Grégoire J, Sebastianelli A, Renaud MC, Froment MA, Moffet H. An in-home rehabilitation program for the treatment of urinary incontinence symptoms in endometrial cancer survivors: a single-case experimental design study. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Nov;32(11):2947-2957. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04981-x. Epub 2021 Sep 25. PMID: 34562132; PMCID: PMC8536558.

Antônio FI, Rodrigues MP, Brooks K, Varette K, McLean L. What improvements in levator ani motor function lead to improvement in stress urinary incontinence signs and symptoms in females? Int Urogynecol J. 2022 Oct;33(10):2735-2747. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04931-7. Epub 2021 Sep 3. PMID: 34477898.

Bouchard ME, Stairs J, Hickling D, Clancy A, Khalil H. The use of tissue adhesive in management of genitourinary fistulas: a systematic review and case report. International Urogynecology Journal 2022. (epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s00192-022-05297-0).

Gujral P, Clancy AA. Vesicovaginal fistula caused by complete procidentia. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada 2022; S1701-2163(22)00471-6. (epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2022.07.007).

Brooks KCL, Varette K, Harvey MA, Robert M, Brison RJ, Day A, Baker K, Della Zazzera V, Sauerbrei E, McLean L. A model identifying characteristics predictive of successful pelvic floor muscle training outcomes among women with stress urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Mar;32(3):719-728.

Kanji S, Pascali D, Clancy AA. Short term complications in mesh augmented vaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse are not higher when compared with native tissue repair. Int Urogynecol J. 2022, 33(7):1941-1947. (epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04915-7).

Bouchard ME, Baker K, Schachter J, Khalil H, Pascali D, Hickling D, Clancy A. Preoperative anemia and complications after surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: an analysis of the national surgical quality improvement program database. Int Urogynecol J. 2021; (epub ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04800-3).

Stairs J, Minassian V, Clancy A. Complications after vaginal vault suspension versus minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy in women with elevated body mass index: A retrospective cohort study using data from the national surgical quality improvement program database. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2022, 28(6):391-396.

Nayak AL, Breau R, Hickling D, Pascali D, Clancy A, Mallick R, Chen I. Risk Factors for Urologic Injury in Women Undergoing Hysterectomy for Benign Indication. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2022, 44(3):247-254.

Reeves J, McLean L. The influence of contraction type, prior performance of a maximal voluntary contraction and measurement duration on fine-wire EMG amplitude. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2021 Aug;59:102566. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102566. Epub 2021 Jun 8. PMID: 34139549.

Bernard S, Frenette AG, McLean L, Noël P, Froment MA, Hébert LJ, Moffet H. Reliability of ultrasound imaging of pelvic floor morphology and function among females who have undergone pelvic radiotherapy. Neurourol Urodyn. 2021 Apr;40(4):1001-1010. doi: 10.1002/nau.24656. Epub 2021 Mar 19. PMID: 33739537.

McLean L, Charette M, Varette K, Brooks K, Harvey MA, Robert M, Baker K, Day A, Della Zazzera V, Sauerbrei E, Brison R. Pelvic floor muscle training as an adjunct to a midurethral sling: a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J. 2022 Apr;33(4):809-819. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04668-9. Epub 2021 Mar 3. PMID: 33660001.

Falah-Hassani K, Reeves J, Shiri R, Hickling D, McLean L. The pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Mar;32(3):501-552. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04622-9. Epub 2021 Jan 8. Erratum in: Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Jun;32(6):1607. PMID: 33416968; PMCID: PMC8053188.

Czyrnyj CS, Bérubé MÈ, Lanteigne E, Brennan A, Bader Y, Lomovtsev D, Vandermolen M, Boucher S, Mitri L, McLean L. Design and validation of an automated dual-arm instrumented intravaginal dynamometer. Neurourol Urodyn. 2021 Feb;40(2):604-615. doi: 10.1002/nau.24600. Epub 2021 Jan 7. PMID: 33410542.

Padoa A, McLean L, Morin M, Vandyken C. The Overactive Pelvic Floor (OPF) and Sexual Dysfunction. Part 2: Evaluation and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction in OPF Patients. Sex Med Rev. 2021 Jan;9(1):76-92. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.04.002. Epub 2020 Jul 4. PMID: 32631813.

Clancy AA, Ilin J, Shehata F, Pascali D, Hickling D. Outcomes of an overnight-stay unit for urogynecologic surgery: feasibility and risk factors for failure of next-day discharge. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2021,1;27(2):98-104.

Clancy AA, Chen I, Pascali D, Minassian V. Surgical approach and unplanned readmission following pelvic organ prolapse surgery: a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database (NSQIP). Int Urogynecol J.  2021, 32(4): 945-953.

Shehata F, Hickling D, Pascali D. Urethral erosion of an obturator midurethral sling. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2021, 43(4):423.