Surgical management of mesh infection following laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and tension-free vaginal mesh surgery: a report of two cases with a literature review

A Case of Spondylodiscitis Fistulating Into the Vagina 15 Years after Promontofixation

Promontofixations can be a rare cause of spondylodiscitis due to the material used getting infected. We present here a case of a 75-year-old woman who underwent a subtotal hysterectomy, followed by a trachelectomy, and presented 15 years later with lumbago and fever. After thorough examination, haemocultures and imaging were performed. This led to the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis of L5-S1, likely due to S. constellatus, with a fistula into the vagina. The patient received surgical treatment. This case is unusual due to the time lapse between the hysterectomy and the infection as well as the probable pathogen.

Teaching Point: Promontofixation material can remain despite hysterectomy and can be a source of infection many years after the operation has taken place.

Conservative Management of Spondylodiscitis after Laparoscopic Sacral Colpopexy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Sacral colpopexy is one of the standard procedures to treat apical pelvic organ prolapse. In most cases, a synthetic mesh is used to facilitate the colposuspension. Spondylodiscitis is a rare but potentially serious complication that must be promptly diagnosed and treated, despite the lack of consensus in the management of this complication. We report one case of spondylodiscitis after a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy and sacral colpopexy treated conservatively. We also present a literature review regarding this rare complication. A conservative approach without mesh removal may be possible in selected patients (stable, with no vaginal lesions, mesh exposure or severe neurologic compromise). Hemocultures and culture of image-guided biopsies should be performed to direct antibiotic therapy. Conservative versus surgical treatment should be regularly weighted depending on clinical and analytical progression. A multidisciplinary team is of paramount importance in the follow-up of these patients.