Sacrospinous ligaments anterior apical anchoring for needle-guided mesh is a safe option: a cadaveric study

A novel anchoring system for pelvic organ prolapse repair: an observational study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Sacrospinous ligament (SSL) fixation is an effective and widely used vaginal procedure for correcting apical prolapse. The Saffron Fixation System (Coloplast Corp., Minneapolis, MN, USA) is a new anchoring device aimed at facilitating a durable, easy, and short procedure for SSL fixation with the goal of minimizing operative complications. The objective was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of anchor deployment and suture fixation for pelvic organ prolapse repair using the Saffron Fixation System.

METHODS

An observational human cadaver study was conducted to measure the distance between anchor location and anatomical landmarks in the pelvis, and the holding force of the fixated anchors. Anchors were placed in four human cadavers by different implanters. The pull-out force of these anchors was measured to assess efficacy (three cadavers by three implanters) and the distance between anchors and primal vessels and nerves was measured to assess safety (one cadaver by one implanter).

RESULTS

Nineteen out of 20 anchors (95%) were correctly placed as judged by independent assessment performed by non-implanting surgeons. Distance between anchors and surrounding nerves and vessels exceeded 10 mm. Mean (SD) pull out-force was 17.9 (5.6) N.

CONCLUSION

The innovative anchoring device that was developed appeared to enable precise and solid anchor placement in the SSL. Future clinical studies are needed to explore if the theoretical advantages of this device translate to improved clinical outcomes in comparison with available suturing and anchoring devices.

A Cadaveric Simulation Model to Teach Suture Placement During Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to describe a cadaveric simulation model designed to teach sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) and to assess trainee performance, comfort, and skill with suture placement.

METHODS

Nine invited participants from 3 institutions participated in cadaveric simulation training, consisting of a didactic lecture, technical demonstrations, and supervised execution of suture placement. Trainee self-perceived knowledge and confidence levels of SSLF were assessed before and after the educational intervention. Suture placement was assessed by expert faculty pelvic reconstructive surgeons. The number of attempts required by trainees for an anatomically safe suture placement was recorded. Participants completed a postintervention satisfaction survey.

RESULTS

All 9 participants correctly identified where an SSLF suture should be placed on a printed image before the educational intervention, but only 33% achieved anatomically safe suture placement on the first attempt (mean ± SD, 2.88 ± 2.10 attempts). Four participants (44%) reported comfort with independently performing SSLF before the course. Of these, three (75%) required more than 1 attempt for successful suture placement. Mean ± SD distance of SSLF suture from the ischial spine was 1.90 ± 0.59 cm. All participants reported that they found the training helpful in learning the surgical steps and anatomy related to SSLF and would recommend it to others.

CONCLUSIONS

A cadaveric simulation teaching model led to improved trainee-reported confidence with the operative steps and anatomy related to SSLF. Participants' prior knowledge of procedural steps and anatomy did not always transfer to adequate procedural skills for safe suture placement, suggesting the need for further simulation practice for fellow trainees.

The effect of cadaveric hands-on training model on surgical skills and confidence for transobturator tape surgery

Objective:

To demonstrate the role of cadaveric hands-on training model on surgical skills and confidence levels of surgeons during transobturator tape (TOT) surgery.

Material and Methods:

A pre-test and post-test evaluation to measure skills during the practice of the steps of TOT surgery was performed on a total of 15 postgraduate urologists and gynecologists during a urogynecologic cadaveric dissection course. The course was shaped with regard to theoretical lessons, full pelvic cadaveric dissection and TOT surgery on cadavers.

Results:

Good handling of the TOT needle, identifying the right place for groin incision, adequate size of groin incision, identifying the right place for incision at the anterior vagina, dissection of bladder pillars from the vagina, identifying the right place at the vaginal foramina for TOT needle exit, and good placement of mesh were reviewed. The post-test scores were statistically significant for all parameters and also for self confidence level (p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Cadaveric workshops are important landmarks of surgical education to improve surgical skills, and gain experience and confidence.

Cadaveric anatomy and dissection in surgical training

Detailed knowledge of anatomy is an essential part of surgical practice. However, there are many drawbacks in anatomy education that make many residents feel inadequate when they start performing surgeries. Cadaveric dissection courses aim to close the gap between the anatomic knowledge and surgical practice. This review focuses on the role of cadaveric dissection on surgical education, and additionally states the panel decision of the Surgical Anatomy and Technologies Association on the proper use of cadavers.

Anterior needle-guided mesh in advanced pelvic organ prolapse: apical fixation on sacrospinous ligaments

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether anterior-apical compartment mesh implants for pelvic floor reconstruction might be safely and effectively anchored to the sacro-spinous (SS) ligaments instead of the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP). The SS ligaments as anchoring structures for centro-apical support mesh fixation are thought to be stronger than the ATFP and we presumed that anterior mesh fixation to the SS ligament might be feasible, safe and effective.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients with advanced anterior-apical pelvic floor prolapse, referred for mesh reconstruction and having poor ATFP were enrolled to this study. For these patients the posterior arms of the anterior mesh were fixed to the SS ligaments. Data regarding cure, complications and patient's satisfaction were collected prospectively: patients were interviewed and examined at the end of the first and third post-operative months, and interviewed again at the study conclusion.

RESULTS

Of 72 patients who were asked to participate in this study, 44 had rather un-palpable ATFP, and SS ligament fixation was performed. The mean follow-up duration was 12 months (range: 10-43). No significant intra- or post-operative complications were recorded. The POP-Q points measurements showed marked improvements: the average delta for the Ba point was 7.4cm, for the Bp point 4.7cm, and for the C point 7.9cm. These differences were all statistically significant. Bladder overactivity symptoms, namely urgency, frequency and nocturia, were all found to be reduced significantly, and so was the sexual discomfort rate. Fecal incontinence, pelvic pain and constipation rates were reduced as well, but these did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

This rather small study suggests that anterior pelvic floor meshes might be anchored safely and successfully to the SS ligament, aiming to achieve improved centro-apical support of the vaginal apex and the anterior wall by an anterior pelvic floor approach.