Transrectal mesh erosion remote from sacrocolpopexy: management and comment

A systematic review of the management of synthetic mesh erosion of the rectum following urogynaecological surgery

AIM

Synthetic rectal mesh erosion is a challenging complication following urogynaecological surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal management of rectal mesh erosion following urogynaecological surgery.

METHOD

A systematic review was undertaken following a pre-defined protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018112425) in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Searches of MEDLINE online database, Cochrane Library and clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, EU Clinical Trials, ISRCTN registry) were performed. The included articles were heterogeneous - therefore a narrative synthesis was performed.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included in the review: 11 case reports, one case series, one retrospective cohort and one prospective multicentre trial. Fourteen rectal mesh erosions were identified. Eight (57%) of the rectal erosions underwent major abdominal surgery. In two of these cases, the abdominal approach was used only after failure of the transanal route. Five (36%) of the mesh erosions were managed using a transanal approach. In one case, the mesh passed without intervention.

CONCLUSION

Synthetic rectal mesh erosion can be managed successfully via either a transanal or a transabdominal approach with a partial or complete excision of the mesh. An examination under anaesthetic with an attempted transanal removal of mesh should be considered the first step in the management of this condition before consideration of more invasive surgery.

Tobacco use, immunosuppressive, chronic pain, and psychiatric conditions are prevalent in women with symptomatic mesh complications undergoing mesh removal surgery

Purpose

To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with symptomatic pelvic floor mesh complications who underwent mesh removal at our academic medical center. The secondary goal was to determine patient-reported outcomes after mesh removal.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients from 2011-2016 undergoing removal of mesh graft for treatment of symptomatic mesh-related complications. Patient demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, and mesh factors were evaluated. Outcomes after explant were determined by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement and a Likert satisfaction scale.

Results

One hundred fifty-six symptomatic patients underwent complete or partial pelvic floor mesh removal during the study period. Mid-urethral slings comprised 86% of explanted mesh grafts. Mesh exposure or erosion was identified in 72% of patients. Eighty-one percent of patients presented with pain, and 35% reported pain in the absence of exposure or erosion. Pre-operative comorbidities included psychiatric disease (54.5%), chronic pain (34.0%), irritable bowel syndrome (20.5%) and fibromyalgia (9.6%). Forty-three percent of patients reported current or past tobacco use. At mean follow-up of 14 months, 68% of responding patients reported improvement on the Patient Global Impression of Improvement after surgery.

Conclusions

This research identified tobacco use, and psychiatric, immunosuppressive, and chronic pain conditions as prevalent in this cohort of patients undergoing mesh removal. Surgical removal can improve presenting symptoms, including for patients with pain in the absence of other indications.

A Case of Mesh Erosion to the Sigmoid After Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy and a Literature Review of Mesh Related Complications

Sacrocolpopexy has long been the preferred surgical procedure for the management of apical vaginal prolapse. The published literature regarding rectal mesh erosion after sacrocolpopexy includes only 6 cases in MEDLINE. We report a case of sigmoid vaginal fistula identified 4 years after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, along with an analysis of the follow-up of 140 patients over 12 months or more.

Lumbosacral spondylodiscitis due to rectal fistula following mesh penetration 7 years after colpopexy

INTRODUCTION

The primary source of spondylodiscitis cannot always be identified. However, not treating the original focus might preclude successful healing due to further spread of the causative microorganisms.

CASE REPORT

An 80-year-old woman presented with lumbar spondylodiscitis. She received surgical debridement and stabilization with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and tailored antibiotic therapy after isolation of Enterococcus spp. Despite appropriate treatment, the patient's condition continued to worsen. An extensive search for the primary infection source finally revealed a rectal fistula caused by a synthetic mesh that had been inserted 7 years before for abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Only after removal of the fistula and protective ileostomy did the patient's condition improved, allowing successful healing of the spondylodiscitis. After a follow-up period of one year no infection relapse was observed.

CONCLUSION

In cases of spondyodiscitis that are resistant to adequate treatment, a search for infection source must be continued until the focus is found and treated. The presence of uncommon enteric microorganisms causing spondylodiscitis, such as Enterococcus spp., is suggestive of contiguous spread and should therefore be further investigated.

Tolerance and long-term MRI imaging of gadolinium-modified meshes used in soft organ repair

Background

Synthetic meshes are frequently used to reinforce soft tissues. The aim of this translational study is to evaluate tolerance and long-term MRI visibility of two recently developed Gadolinium-modified meshes in a rat animal model.

Materials and Methods

Gadolinium-poly-ε-caprolactone (Gd-PCL) and Gadolinium-polymethylacrylate (Gd-PMA) modified meshes were implanted in Wistar rats and their tolerance was assessed daily. Inflammation and biocompatibility of the implants were assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry after 30 days post implantation. Implants were visualised by 7T and 3T MRI at day 30 and at day 90. Diffusion of Gadolinium in the tissues of the implanted animals was assessed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

Results

Overall Gd-PMA coated implants were better tolerated as compared to those coated with Gd-PCL. In fact, Gd-PMA implants were characterised by a high ratio collagen I/III and good vascularisation of the integration tissues. High resolution images of the coated mesh were obtained in vivo with experimental 7T as well as 3T clinical MRI. Mass spectrometry analyses showed that levels of Gadolinium in animals implanted with coated mesh were similar to those of the control group.

Conclusions

Meshes coated with Gd-PMA are better tolerated as compared to those coated with Gd-PCL as no signs of erosion or significant inflammation were detected at 30 days post implantation. Also, Gd-PMA coated meshes were clearly visualised with both 7T and 3T MRI devices. This new technique of mesh optimisation may represent a valuable tool in soft tissue repair and management.

Sacral colpopexy: long-term mesh complications requiring reoperation(s)

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Sacral colpopexy (SC) is a classic procedure used for the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Although the procedure boasts excellent success rates, there are risks of complications and reoperation may be required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of complications following SC, requiring reoperation(s), and to describe the reoperations performed.

METHODS

A retrospective monocentric study of patients who were operated on following a mesh complication after SC was conducted, at Lille University Hospital, between January 2007 and January 2013. Information relating to medical and surgical history, SC surgical technique, type of complication, and reoperation techniques was gathered.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients required surgery for complications after SC. Nineteen patients were treated for vaginal mesh exposures (VME), four for intravesical mesh (including one with VME), one for ano-rectal dyschezia, one for spondylodiscitis with a VME, one for mesh infection, and one for vaginal fistula communicating with a collection in the ischio-coccygeal muscle. The median time between the initial SC and the first reoperation was 3.9 ± 5.7 years. The median operating time was 40 ± 95 min, and the length of hospital stay was 3.0 ± 3.0 days. Ten patients needed several interventions.

CONCLUSION

This case series provides a description of surgical interventions for complications related to sacral colpopexy. These complications may be serious and occur years after the initial surgery.

Complications of pelvic organ prolapse surgery and methods of prevention

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The aim was to review complications associated with pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

METHODS

Every 4 years and as part of the Fifth International Collaboration on Incontinence we reviewed the English-language scientific literature after searching PubMed, Medline, Cochrane library and Cochrane database of systematic reviews, published up to January 2012. Publications were classified as level 1 evidence (randomised controlled trials [RCT] or systematic reviews), level 2 (poor quality RCT, prospective cohort studies), level 3 (case series or retrospective studies) and level 4 (case reports). The highest level of evidence was utilised by the committee to make evidence-based recommendations based upon the Oxford grading system. Grade A recommendation usually depends on consistent level 1 evidence. Grade B recommendation usually depends on consistent level 2 and/or 3 studies, or "majority evidence" from RCTs. Grade C recommendation usually depends on level 4 studies or "majority evidence from level 2/3 studies or Delphi processed expert opinion. Grade D "no recommendation possible" would be used where the evidence is inadequate or conflicting and when expert opinion is delivered without a formal analytical process, such as by Delphi.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Transvaginal mesh has a higher re-operation rate than native tissue vaginal repairs (grade A). If a synthetic mesh is placed via the vaginal route, it is recommended that a macroporous polypropylene monofilament mesh should be used. At sacral colpopexy mesh should not be introduced or sutured via the vaginal route and silicone-coated polyester, porcine dermis, fascia lata and polytetrafluoroethylene meshes are not recommended as grafts. Hysterectomy should also be avoided (grade B). There is no evidence to recommend routine local or systemic oestrogen therapy before or after prolapse surgery using mesh. The first cases should be undertaken with the guidance of an experienced surgeon in the relevant technique (grade C). Expert opinion suggests that by whatever the surgical route pre-operative urinary tract infections are treated, smoking is ceased and antibiotic prophylaxis is undertaken. It is recommended that a non-absorbable synthetic mesh should not be inserted into the rectovaginal septum when a rectal injury occurs. The placement of a non-absorbable synthetic mesh into the vesicovaginal septum may be considered after a bladder injury has been repaired, if the repair is considered to be satisfactory. It is possible to perform a hysterectomy in association with the introduction of a non-absorbable synthetic mesh inserted vaginally, but this is not recommended routinely.

A unique case of late complication of rectum mesh erosion after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

Sacrocolpopexy, a surgical technique with a low morbidity rate, is a valid procedure for repairing vaginal vault prolapse. To our knowledge, only 1 case of rectum erosion after open sacrocolpopexy has been reported in the literature, and there is no record of any such incident after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. We report the first case of mesh erosion involving the rectum instead of the vagina assessed 8 years after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

Rectal mesh exposure after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

Herein we report the case of a 68-year-old woman who had rectal bleeding 13 days after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. Clinical examination and rectoscopy revealed rectal exposure of the posterior polyester mesh placed during the surgery. Endorectal surgery was performed to remove the exposed mesh and repair the rectal erosion. No further complications occurred during follow-up. Although vaginal erosions are a well-known complication of synthetic implants after surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse, one must keep in mind the possibility of more uncommon types of mesh exposure.