Variables affecting the results of xenogenic collagen implantation in an animal model

Treatment of genital prolapse by hammock using porcine skin collagen implant (Pelvicol)

INTRODUCTION

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of the hammock using a porcine skin collagen (Pelvicol) implant for the treatment of genital prolapse by the vaginal route. A total of 47 women with Stage III or IV genital prolapse underwent surgical treatment with porcine skin collagen implantation using anterior transobturator and posterior bilateral sacrospinous fixations. Genital prolapse treatment was combined with hysterectomy in 34 patients (72%).

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Porcine skin collagen implantation was feasible in every case. The surgical procedure lasted a median of 90 minutes (range 80 to 150). No vessel injuries, one bladder injury, and one rectal injury not requiring additional surgery occurred. One pararectal hematoma required a second procedure. The median follow-up was 24.6 +/- 8.5 months (range 6 to 42). No rejection of the porcine grafts occurred. Of the 47 women, 39 (83%) had optimal anatomic results, 5 had asymptomatic Stage I prolapse, and 2 had Stage II prolapse. The subjective cure rate was 93.6% (44 of 47 patients). The postoperative scores for lifestyle and urinary discomfort improved significantly after the procedure (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0002, respectively). Of the 18 patients who were sexually active, an improvement in sexual discomfort occurred (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

These short-term results suggest that hammock using porcine skin collagen implantation by the transobturator route and bilateral sacrospinous fixation is a safe and effective treatment for genital prolapse.

Treatment of Anterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse with Porcine Skin Collagen Implant by the Transobturator Route: Preliminary Results

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of porcine skin collagen (Pelvicol) implant by the transobturator route for the treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven women with stage III or IV prolapse underwent anterior vaginal wall repair with porcine skin collagen implantation by the transobturator route, together with bilateral sacropinofixation; respectively 17 and 16 women underwent hysterectomy and bilateral sapingo-oophorectomy during the same procedure. The feasibility and peri/postoperative complications of the transobturator procedure were assessed, together with anatomical and functional outcome.

RESULTS

Porcine skin collagen implantation was feasible in every case. The transobturator procedure lasted a median of 25 min (range 20-35). There were no vessel or bladder injuries and no postoperative complications (including infections). Median follow-up was 14 months (range 8 to 24). No rejection of the porcine grafts occurred. Twenty-two women (81%) had optimal anatomic results, while the remaining five women (19%) had persistent asymptomatic stage I or II anterior vaginal wall prolapse (1 and 4 cases, respectively). In one case the collagen implant had to be removed after one year because of persistent pain due to transfixing vaginal stitch. One patient with optimal anatomic results had recurrent stage III Ba prolapse at 18 months. Quality of life and urinary discomfort scores improved significantly after the procedure (p<0.0001 and p<0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These preliminary results suggest that porcine skin collagen implantation by the transobturator route is a safe and effective treatment for anterior vaginal wall prolapse.