Outcomes of vaginal reconstructive surgery with and without graft material

Prolapse Surgery: What Kind of Antibiotic Prophylaxis Is Necessary?

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess whether antibiotic prophylaxis or therapy is sufficient for laparoscopic or vaginal prolapse surgery with mesh.

METHODS

This is a single-center prospective study. The study was divided into 3 groups. Protocol A: metronidazole (15 mg/kg) and piperacillin-tazobactam (2 g) 1 h before surgery and, for postoperative treatment, gentamycin (160 mg) 1 h before surgery in a single dose. Metronidazole and piperacillin-tazobactam were administered until hospital discharge. Protocol B: gentamycin and piperacillin-tazobactam in the same manner as group A. Protocol C: clindamycin (600 mg) and gentamicin (160 mg) 1 h before surgery in a single dose.

RESULTS

We included 87 consecutive patients who underwent prolapse surgery involving mesh prostheses: 57 by the laparoscopic approach and 30 by the vaginal route. Of these, 30 patients were included in protocol A, 30 in protocol B, and 27 in protocol C. There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 protocols regarding any postoperative complications, except for urinary tract infections that were more in the vaginal approach than in the laparoscopic route, in protocol A (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

One-shot prophylaxis can be successfully used in prolapse surgery regardless of the surgical approach.

Single versus multi-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for pelvic organ prolapse surgery with graft/mesh

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk of postoperative infections in women who receive single-dose versus multi-dose prophylactic antibiotic regimen during prolapse surgery with mesh/graft.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of 460 women who underwent prolapse surgery with mesh/graft. We compared women who received a single-dose prophylactic antibiotic regimen to those who received a multi-dose regimen. The primary outcome was the presence of any postoperative infection, defined as the presence of any of the following infections: urinary tract infection (UTI), fever, wound or trocar site infection, mesh infection or pelvic abscess. Associations between prophylactic antibiotic regimen and postoperative infections were estimated using univariable and multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

Rate of any postoperative infection was similar between the single- and multi-dose groups (19% vs. 16%, p=0.50). Rate of UTI was significantly higher in the single-dose compared to the multi-dose group (13% vs. 7%, p=0.03). On multivariable analysis, after controlling for vaginal route of surgery, the odds of UTI was not significantly different between groups (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.27, 1.26).

CONCLUSION

A single-dose antibiotic regimen is sufficient for prophylaxis against postoperative infections in women undergoing prolapse surgery with graft/mesh.

Incidence and management of graft erosion, wound granulation, and dyspareunia following vaginal prolapse repair with graft materials: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

This study describes the incidence, risk factors, and treatments of graft erosion, wound granulation, and dyspareunia as adverse events following vaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse with non-absorbable synthetic and biologic graft materials.

METHODS

A systematic review in Medline of reports published between 1950 and November 2010 on adverse events after vaginal prolapse repairs using graft materials was carried out.

RESULTS

One hundred ten studies reported on erosions with an overall rate, by meta-analysis, of 10.3%, (95% CI, 9.7 - 10.9%; range, 0 - 29.7%; synthetic, 10.3%; biological, 10.1%). Sixteen studies reported on wound granulation for a rate of 7.8%, (95% CI, 6.4 - 9.5%; range, 0 - 19.1%; synthetic, 6.8%; biological, 9.1%). Dyspareunia was described in 70 studies for a rate of 9.1%, (95% CI, 8.2 - 10.0%; range, 0 - 66.7%; synthetic, 8.9%; biological, 9.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Erosions, wound granulation, and dyspareunia may occur after vaginal prolapse repair with graft materials, though rates vary widely across studies.

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is downward descent of female pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus or post-hysterectomy vaginal cuff, and the small or large bowel, resulting in protrusion of the vagina, uterus, or both. Prolapse development is multifactorial, with vaginal child birth, advancing age, and increasing body-mass index as the most consistent risk factors. Vaginal delivery, hysterectomy, chronic straining, normal ageing, and abnormalities of connective tissue or connective-tissue repair predispose some women to disruption, stretching, or dysfunction of the levator ani complex, connective-tissue attachments of the vagina, or both, resulting in prolapse. Patients generally present with several complaints, including bladder, bowel, and pelvic symptoms; however, with the exception of vaginal bulging, none is specific to prolapse. Women with symptoms suggestive of prolapse should undergo a pelvic examination and medical history check. Radiographic assessment is usually unnecessary. Many women with pelvic organ prolapse are asymptomatic and do not need treatment. When prolapse is symptomatic, options include observation, pessary use, and surgery. Surgical strategies for prolapse can be categorised broadly by reconstructive and obliterative techniques. Reconstructive procedures can be done by either an abdominal or vaginal approach. Although no effective prevention strategy for prolapse has been identified, considerations include weight loss, reduction of heavy lifting, treatment of constipation, modification or reduction of obstetric risk factors, and pelvic-floor physical therapy.