Introduction and hypothesis The COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to "flatten the curve" of transmission have significantly affected the way providers care for patients. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons (FPMRS) must provide high quality of care through remote access such as telemedicine. No clear guidelines exist on the use of telemedicine in FPMRS. Using expedited literature review methodology, we provide guidance regarding management of common outpatient urogynecology scenarios during the pandemic. Methods We grouped FPMRS conditions into those in which virtual management differs from direct in-person visits and conditions in which treatment would emphasize behavioral and conservative counseling but not deviate from current management paradigms. We conducted expedited literature review on four topics (telemedicine in FPMRS, pessary management, urinary tract infections, urinary retention) and addressed four other topics (urinary incontinence, prolapse, fecal incontinence, defecatory dysfunction) based on existing systematic reviews and guidelines. We further compiled expert consensus regarding management of FPMRS patients in the virtual setting, scenarios when in-person visits are necessary, symptoms that should alert providers, and specific considerations for FPMRS patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Results Behavioral, medical, and conservative management will be valuable as first-line virtual treatments. Certain situations will require different treatments in the virtual setting while others will require an in-person visit despite the risks of COVID-19 transmission.Conclusions We have presented guidance for treating FPMRS conditions via telemedicine based on rapid literature review and expert consensus and presented it in a format that can be actively referenced.

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Introduction and Hypothesis Urethral diverticulum (UD) is a protrusion of the urethra through the periurethral fascia. We aimed to determine the population-based incidence of female UD. Methods Using the records-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), we identified women 18 years and older with a new diagnosis of UD in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from January 1, 1980, through December 31, 2011. We also identified cases meeting the same criteria diagnosed at Mayo Clinic, regardless of county of residency. Incidence rates were calculated and trends for changes in incidence over time were tested. We conducted a systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception through March 30, 2013, to identify published reports of UD incidence or prevalence. Results We identified 164 incidence cases, including 26 women residing in Olmsted County. Age-adjusted annual incidence of UD in Olmsted County was 17.9 per 1,000,000 women (<0.02%) per year (95% CI, 10.9–24.9). We observed a trend for increased incidence during the past 3 decades (P=.03). In our literature review, only 7 studies included an estimate of incidence or prevalence of UD; these estimates ranged from 6.4 per 1,000,000 per year (<0.01%) having surgical intervention related to UD to a 4.7% rate of UD diagnosed in asymptomatic women admitted for gynecologic or obstetric issues. Conclusion In this population-based study, female UD was a rare disease, affecting fewer than 20 per 1,000,000 women (<0.02%) per year.

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Introduction and hypothesisThe COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to "flatten the curve" of transmission have significantly affected the way providers care for patients. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeons (FPMRS) must provide high quality of care through remote access such as telemedicine. No clear guidelines exist on the use of telemedicine in FPMRS. Using expedited literature review methodology, we provide guidance regarding management of common outpatient urogynecology scenarios during the pandemic. Methods We grouped FPMRS conditions into those in which virtual management differs from direct in-person visits and conditions in which treatment would emphasize behavioral and conservative counseling but not deviate from current management paradigms. We conducted expedited literature review on four topics (telemedicine in FPMRS, pessary management, urinary tract infections, urinary retention) and addressed four other topics (urinary incontinence, prolapse, fecal incontinence, defecatory dysfunction) based on existing systematic reviews and guidelines. We further compiled expert consensus regarding management of FPMRS patients in the virtual setting, scenarios when in-person visits are necessary, symptoms that should alert providers, and specific considerations for FPMRS patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Results Behavioral, medical, and conservative management will be valuable as first-line virtual treatments. Certain situations will require different treatments in the virtual setting while others will require an in-person visit despite the risks of COVID-19 transmission. Conclusions We have presented guidance for treating FPMRS conditions via telemedicine based on rapid literature review and expert consensus and presented it in a format that can be actively referenced.