Pilot study exploring the incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms during pregnancy in a district general hospital in Northern Ireland: a prospective survey.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) during pregnancy with a prospective survey in the UK.

Materials And Methods: Pregnant women over the age of 18 years booked for shared antenatal care at a district general hospital were asked to complete a validated 14-stem questionnaire enquiring about lower urinary tract symptoms. (ICIQ-FLUTS).

The effect of vaginal closure technique on early post-operative pain following vaginal prolapse surgery: a feasibility pilot study and qualitative assessment.

Background: Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse is a common surgical procedure. There is little research studying post-operative pain, contrasting with extensive literature on pain after childbirth trauma which shows that suture method has a significant effect on pain. We designed a protocol for a trial comparing suture techniques and post-operative pain, and conducted a pre-protocol pilot to inform our trial design.

Analysis of the surgical learning curve using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method.

Aims: The concept of the "learning curve" is a term that has become increasingly prevalent in medical literature. Using a unique Female Urology fellowship program running over the last 3 years, we set out to better define the learning process for mid-urethral slings.

Methods: We examined surgical outcomes for six urology trainees who participated in the 6-month program from 2006 to 2011.