Single incision anterior apical mesh and sacrospinous ligament fixation in pelvic prolapse surgery at 36 months follow-up

Anterior-apical Transvaginal Mesh (Calistar-S) for Treatment of Advanced Urogenital Prolapse: Surgical and Functional Outcomes at 1 Year

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Calistar-S is a single-incision synthetic mesh kit that addresses apical and anterior compartment prolapse. The aims of this study were to evaluate the short-term objective and subjective outcomes at the 1-year follow-up. The secondary objectives were to evaluate quality of life and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) outcomes, as well as surgical complications.

METHODS

Records of 108 patients with symptomatic advanced pelvic organ prolapse (stages III and IV) who underwent prolapse surgery using the Calistar-S system from June 2018 to August 2022 were reviewed. The primary outcome was the objective cure of anterior and apical prolapse < stage 1, and the subjective cure was the negative response to questions 2 and 3 of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6. Secondary outcomes measured quality of life, the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms, and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients were evaluated. The overall objective cure rate is 97% and the subjective cure rate is 92.1%. Good outcomes were seen in all three compartments. Secondary outcomes show significant improvement in all validated questionnaires. Persistence and de novo urinary incontinence were 15.2% and 18.2% post-operatively. There is one case of bladder injury and one case of vaginal mesh exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

The Calistar-S System is a safe and efficient method for treating advanced-stage POP. We observed good anatomical results and subjective relief with a minimal complication rate. LUTS have also been positively affected, showing a high success rate. Additional studies are needed to establish the long-term efficacy of this system.

Polypropylene anterior-apical single-incision UPHOLD-LITE mesh surgery in women with severe pelvic organ prolapse: Outcome at 53 months follow up

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We present this current study to complement with mesh inlays plausible benefits (UPHOLD-LITE System) on available long-term study amidst FDA's concern on mesh complications. This study aims to assess the medium-term outcomes of UPHOLD-LITE system for treatment of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and its complications, and lower urinary tract symptoms.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case series of 53 months follow-up of 123 consecutive patients who underwent UPHOLD-LITE system. Objective outcome measures the anatomical correction of prolapse with POP-Q ≤ Stage 1. Subjective outcome was patient's feedback to questions 2 and 3 of POPDI-6. Secondary outcome measures the quality of life, presence of lower urinary tract symptoms and complications. Quality of life is assessed by validated questionnaires on Urogenital Distress Inventory 6 (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire 7 (IIQ-7), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6 (POPDI-6), and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire 12 (PISQ-12) at 1 and 3 years post-operatively.

RESULTS

Objective outcome at 1 and 3 years was at 96.7 % and 95.4 % respectively. The subjective cure was 95.1 % and 91.6 %. Five-year cumulative cure rate maintained at 87.2 %. Secondary outcomes observed improvement on UDI-6, IIQ-7, POPDI-6 and PISQ-12 postoperatively. Bladder outlet obstruction improved while de novo urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) increased slightly post surgically. Mesh erosion rate was 0.8 %.

CONCLUSION

The UPHOLD-LITE system demonstrated good medium term anatomical correction of apical and anterior prolapse, with good subjective cure and improved quality of life. Whilst complication rate was low, slight increase in de novo USI was observed.

Urodynamic profile of voiding in patients with pelvic organ prolapse after surgery: a systematic review with meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a defect of the female pelvic floor. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and obstructive symptoms may occur in these patients. The objective of surgical treatment is to restore the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor; however, it may prompt urinary symptoms not present previously. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine urodynamic changes in patients undergoing surgical correction for POP.

METHODS

PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for studies that contained data from urodynamic evaluation before and after vaginal surgery for POP. The main urodynamic data collected were free uroflowmetry (maximum flow [Qmax], voided volume, and post-void residual volume [PVR]), cystometry (bladder capacity, presence of detrusor overactivity [DO], SUI or UUI, and Valsalva leak point pressure), and pressure × flow study (detrusor pressure at maximum flow [PdetQmax], Qmax, and PVR).

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies were included (1,549 women). Patients had a significantly higher prevalence of DO before surgery (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06-2.29), and surgeries without sling placement demonstrated a tendency to ameliorate DO. Patients who did not receive a sling were more incontinent after surgery. Bladder-emptying parameters improved after surgery, with higher PdetQmax before surgery (IV = 3.23; 95% CI = 0.45-1.18). Patients who did not receive MUS presented a lower Qmax (IV = -3.19; 95%CI = -4.09 to -2.30) and a higher PVR (IV = 27.89; 95%CI = 15.68-40.1) before surgery.

CONCLUSION

Correction surgery for POP yields better urodynamic emptying parameters, with a reduction in the prevalence of DO. In contrast, sling placement enhances obstructive parameters.

Benefits and Harms of Conservative, Pharmacological, and Surgical Management Options for Women with Bladder Outlet Obstruction: A Systematic Review from the European Association of Urology Non-neurogenic Female LUTS Guidelines Panel

CONTEXT

While the management of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in men has been a topic of several systematic reviews and meta-analyses, no such evidence base exists for female BOO.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the benefits and harms of therapeutic interventions for the management of BOO in women.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020183839). A systematic literature search was performed and updated by a research librarian in May 2021. The study population consisted of adult female patients diagnosed with BOO, who underwent treatment.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Out of 6344 records, we identified 33 studies enrolling 1222 participants, of which only six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found. One placebo-controlled crossover randomized trial assessed the role of baclofen in 60 female patients with dysfunctional voiding. The trial met its primary endpoint with a significantly greater decrease in the number of voids per day in the baclofen group (-5.53 vs -2.70; p = 0.001). The adverse events were mild and comparable in both groups (25% vs 20%). One placebo-controlled crossover randomized trial assessed the role of sildenafil in 20 women with Fowler's syndrome. There were significant improvements from baseline in maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and postvoid residual (PVR), but with no statistically significant difference when compared with placebo. In a large RCT including 197 female patients with functional BOO, the alpha-blocker alfuzosin significantly improved IPSS, Qmax, and PVR compared with baseline, but the differences were not statistically significant compared with the placebo group. Several small single-arm prospective series reported improvement of BOO-related symptoms and voiding parameters with urethroplasty, sling revision, urethral dilation, vaginal pessary, and pelvic organ prolapse repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence to support the use of conservative, pharmacological, and surgical treatments for BOO is scarce.

PATIENT SUMMARY

According to the present systematic review of the literature, evidence to support the use of conservative, pharmacological, and surgical treatments for either anatomical or functional bladder outlet obstruction is scarce.

Efficacy and safety of anterior vaginal prolapse treatment using single incision repair system: Multicentric study

OBJECTIVE

Up to 80% of all POP surgical procedures are due to anterior vaginal wall prolapse. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transvaginal anterior mesh for POP surgical repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

153 consecutive patients with symptomatic or recurrent anterior vaginal prolapse undergoing surgical single-incision mesh (Calistar S) were prospectively enrolled in the study. Preoperative evaluation was performed collecting urogynecological history and performing a clinical exam, 3-day voiding diary and urodynamic testing. All incontinent patients completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Operative time, blood loss, perioperative and postoperative complications were prospectively recorded. Postoperative follow-up was scheduled at 1, 6, and 12 months with a urogynecological interview and examination. Success rate was assessed at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 16.4 months. None of patients had intraoperative complications. Eight patients (5%) required surgical intervention for complications (5 patients (3%) for haematoma and 3 (2%) for vaginal erosion). At 12 months of follow up 130 out of 140 patients (93%) gained the subjective cure criterion, while 129 out of 140 patients (92%) obtained the objective cure criterion. Eleven (7.8%) patients experienced stage 2 or higher prolapse recurrence and three of them with a stage ≥3 underwent reintervention. No significant differences were recorded in primary outcome at 1, 6 or 12 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior compartment prolapse repair by Calistar S (single-incision vaginal mesh) is an effective and safe procedure without significant complications.

Immunochemical and urodynamic outcomes after polypropylene mesh explant from the pelvic wall of rats

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To analyze the immunochemical and urodynamic outcomes after partial versus complete excision of transvaginal polypropylene mesh (PPM) from pelvic walls of rats.

METHODS

Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly distributed into seven groups: control, mesh total removal 60 days (M-T 60D), mesh total removal 180 days (M-T 180D), mesh partial removal 60 days (M-H 60D), mesh partial removal 180 days (M-H 180D), sham 60 days (Sham 60D), and sham 180 days (Sham 180D). In the mesh groups, PPM was inserted and partially (0.3 × 0.3 cm) or completely removed 30 days later. In the Sham group, the space between the vagina and bladder was dissected without placing or removing the synthetic mesh at day 1 and day 30 later. Urodynamic studies, immunochemical analysis, and Western blot were done at days 60 and 180.

RESULTS

The M-T 60D voiding pressure was significantly decreased compared to the Sham 60D and M-H 60D. The voiding interval of M-T 60D was significantly shorter than that of M-H 60D. In the M-T 60D and M-T 180D groups, the leak point pressure was significantly less than in their corresponding sham groups. IL-1 and TNF-α were significantly more intense in M-T 60D compared to M-H 60D and Sham 60D. NGF was significantly greater in M-T 60D compared to Sham 60D. There were no significant differences in MMP-2 and CD-31s throughout the group.

CONCLUSION

Total mesh excision incites a host inflammatory response and transitory lower urinary tract dysfunction. Despite the good outcomes after total excision, the invasiveness and surgical risk associated with repeated procedures should not be underestimateded.

The efficacy and complications of using transvaginal mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse in Taiwan: A 10-year review

Transvaginal mesh (TVM) insertion for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is significantly associated with lower failure rates, although its use remains controversial due to the potential risk of mesh-related complications. In this review, we collected the published literature regarding the use of TVM to treat POP in an attempt to assess both the efficacy and complications related to TVM usage in Taiwan. We searched 25 English language articles using PubMed related to TVM in Taiwan from 2010 to 2019. The present article focuses on the efficacy and complications of TVM and analyzes the data. There were 25 studies on TVM selected for this review. Regarding their success rate, 21 out of the 22 studies (95.5%) had more than a 90% objective success rate. Twenty studies (90.9%) had less than 10% major complications of TVM. Twenty out of the 25 studies (80.0%) had 5% or less mesh exposure. For self-cut TVM and the later single-incision TVM, both the complication rates and exposure rates decreased. The rate of de novo dyspareunia ranged from 2.6% to 14.3%, and the incidence decreased yearly from 2011 to 2019. This review showed both the high treatment efficacy and low complication rate of TVM usage for the short-term treatment of POP in Taiwan. However, a longer-term study is needed to draw a conclusion regarding the safety of this treatment.

Anterior-Apical Transvaginal Mesh (Surelift) for Advanced Urogenital Prolapse: Surgical and Functional Outcomes at 1 Year

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the objective and subjective outcomes of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery using a modified Surelift system (Neomedic International, Barcelona, Spain) and to evaluate surgical complications and postoperative impact on quality of life (QOL) and lower urinary tract symptoms.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care university hospital.

PATIENTS

Patients with symptomatic anterior or apical POP stage III and above.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery with a modified Surelift transvaginal mesh kit.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Eighty-three women who underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery with a modified Surelift for symptomatic anterior or apical prolapse stage III and above from April 2018 to January 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. All completed a 72-hour voiding diary, urodynamic study, and multiple validated QOL questionnaires at baseline and at between 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Descriptive statistics were used for demographics and perioperative data. Paired-samples t test and the McNemar test were applied for comparison of pre- and postoperative continuous and categoric data, respectively. The primary outcomes were the objective cure of POP, defined as anterior and apical prolapse Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System ≤ stage I, and subjective cure on the basis of negative answers to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6. The objective and subjective cure rates at 1 year were 97.6% and 92.8%, respectively. There were significant improvements in QOL scores postoperatively. Although bladder outlet obstruction improved, de novo urodynamic stress incontinence and stress urinary incontinence were increased at 18.9% and 21.6%, respectively, at 1-year follow-up. The mesh extrusion rate was 4.8%.

CONCLUSION

A modified Surelift has good objective and subjective cure rates at 1 year postoperatively with 4.8% mesh extrusion rate. There was significant improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms and QOL. De novo urodynamic stress incontinence at 6 months to 12 months was increased, but it was not sufficiently bothersome to warrant surgery.

Urodynamics mixed type urinary incontinence with advanced pelvic organ prolapse, management and outcomes

Patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) often have accompanying lower urinary tract symptoms. Symptoms such as stress urinary incontinence(SUI-_UD) and detrusor overactivty(DO) would co-exist in a number of patients. Management entails relieving the obstructive element. To determine the clinical outcome of patients with urodynamics mixed type urinary incontinence(MUI-U) after vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery(PRS), a retrospective study was conducted. MUI-U was defined as having urodynamic findings of both of DO/DOI (derusor overactivity incontinence) and SUI-_UD. Main outcome measures: Objective cure- absence of involuntary detrusor contraction on filling cystometry and no demonstrable leakage of urine during increased abdominal pressure; Subjective cure- assessment index score of <1 on UDI-6 question #2 and #3. Of the 82 patients evaluated, 14 underwent vaginal PRS with concomitant mid-urethral sling(MUS) insertion while 68 had vaginal PRS alone. Pre-operatively, 49(60%) patients had stage III and 33(40%) had stage IV prolapse. Post-operatively, 1-year data shows an objective cure of 56% (46/82) and subjective cure of 54% (44/82). MUI-U was significantly improved. Improvement of SUI_UD and results of the 1-hour pad test were more pronounced in patients with concomitant MUS insertion. Ergo, vaginal PRS cures symptoms of MUI-U in >50% of patients and concomitant MUS can be offered to SUI predominant MUI.

Comparison of the vault prolapse rate after vaginal hysterectomy with or without residual uterine ligament ligations: A retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the post-hysterectomy vault prolapse (PHVP) rates performed using different methods of vaginal total hysterectomy (VTH).

METHODS

A total of 251 women who underwent VTH with/without concomitant surgeries between January 1986 and December 2001 in a tertiary center. Thirty-eight women were excluded due to not only a vaginal approach. Of the remaining 213 women, 129 and 84 underwent VTH via the Tsuzi method with residual uterine ligament ligations (ligations group) and traditional VTH (without ligations group), respectively. The χ² and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied appropriately. The cumulative percentages of women without PHVP were calculated over time and compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Compared to the without ligations group, women in the ligations group had longer operation time (115.9 ± 37.1 vs. 103.3 ± 41.4 min, p = 0.002) and more blood loss (217.4 ± 137.8 vs. 148.2 ± 149.0 mL, p < 0.001). When focusing on women with uterine prolapse, only operation time and grade of uterine prolapse were different between the groups (117.3 ± 24.8 vs. 107.9 ± 40.5 min, p = 0.025, and 21% vs. 41%, p = 0.018, respectively). The rate of PHVP was significantly lower in the ligation group than in the without ligations group (0 vs. 5, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

VTH via the Tsuzi method with residual uterine ligament ligations resulted in fewer cases of PHVP than occurred in traditional VTH. If native tissue repair is planned in pelvic reconstruction surgery, VTH with residual uterine ligament ligations should be considered.

Long-term Outcomes of Self-Management Gellhorn Pessary for Symptomatic Pelvic Organ Prolapse

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to estimate the long-term survival and to identify adverse events associated with the use of Gellhorn pessaries over a 9-year period.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series study at a tertiary urogynecology unit in Taiwan. Between January 2009 and June 2017, 93 patients who opted for self-management Gellhorn pessaries to treat symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and who were continuously followed-up were enrolled. Long-term use was defined as use for longer than 1 year. Length of use, factors that predicted discontinuation, and adverse events were analyzed and reviewed by chart or telephone inquiry.

RESULTS

The cumulative probabilities of continued pessary use at 1 and 5 years were 62.4% and 47.2%, respectively. Of those who discontinued use, 34 (70.8%) participants discontinued use within 1 year, and the mean duration of use was 13.7 months (range, 0-75 months; median, 5 months). Most of the participants stopped using the pessary because of bothersome adverse events such as pessary expulsion, vaginal pain, de novo urinary incontinence, and erosion/infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-management Gellhorn pessary was safe and relatively effective and increased patients' autonomy and ability to manage their POP. One third of the patients discontinued use by 1 year, and half of the patients discontinued use at 5 years.

Uterine-preserving pelvic organ prolapse surgery using the UPHOLD LITE vaginal support system: The outcomes of 291 patients

This article aims to evaluate the safety and outcome of women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treated by a minimally invasive bilateral sacrospinous hysteropexy (UPHOLD LITE Vaginal Support System, Boston Scientific) without concomittent anti-incontinence surgery.This retrospective study was conducted between 2014 and 2016. Evaluated items included surgical parameter and postoperative outcome.Three hundred thirteen women with POP were eligible and 22 were excluded because of history of either or more following situations, such as hysterectomy, mesh augmentation, previous anti-incontinence procedures, and radical pelvic surgery before. With a median follow-up of 26 months, surgery-related morbidity rate was 23.7% (69/291), including 1 with bladder injury (0.3%), 2 with hematoma (0.7%), 8 with urinary tract infection (2.8%), 48 with voiding dysfunction (16.5%) and 10 with mesh problems (3.4%). Among these morbidities, 12 patients (4.1%) needed surgical intervention, including 6 for mesh problems, 1 for bladder injury, 2 for hematoma, and 3 for anti-incontinence surgery. The difference of pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) stage before and after surgery showed a statistical significance (anterior portion from 1.36 ± 2.60 to -2.69 ± 0.26, posterior portion from -1.29 ± 2.08 to -2.46 ± 0.62, and cervix portion from 2.03 ± 4.80 to -6.98 ± 2.26, all P < .001). At the end of August 2018, re-intervention rate for POP recurrence was 2.1% (n = 6), including abdominal sacrocolpopexy (n = 1), anterior repair (n = 1), vaginal total hysterectomy and uterine-sacral ligament suspension (n = 1), vaginal total hysterectomy and LeFort (n = 1), LeFort (n = 1), and pessary support (n = 1).Because some women developed postoperative lower urinary tract symptom, preoperative evaluation, including careful and detailed history taking, and urodynamic evaluation is suggested. After adequate counseling, uterine-preserving sacrospinal ligament suspension by UPHOLD LITE Vaginal Support System surgery could be considered in the management of women with POP, because of its high successful rate (97.9%) and low morbidity rate.