When and how to excise vaginal mesh

Dysregulated wound healing in the pathogenesis of urogynecologic mesh complications

To test the hypothesis that dysregulated wound healing is associated with Urogynecologic mesh complications, we collected vaginal cell secretions using vaginal swabs after polypropylene mesh implantation in patients with (N = 39) and without (N = 40) complication. A customized multiplex immunoassay measured markers of inflammation (MCP-1, IGFBP-1, IL-2, IL-10, IL-17, PDGF-BB, bFGF, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-12p70, TNF-α), neuroinflammation (IL-1RA, TGF-β, IL-15, IL-18, IL-3, M-CSF), angiogenesis (VEGF), and matrix proteins (fibronectin, tenasin c, thrombospondin-2, lumican) between groups. Patients with complications were younger, heavier, implanted with mesh longer, and more likely to be ever smokers. A 5 kg/m2 BMI increase and ever-smoking were associated with a 2.4-fold and sixfold increased risk of complication, respectively. Patients with the highest tertile of bFGF, fibronectin, thrombospondin-2, TNF-β, or VEGF had an odds ratio (OR) of 11.8 for having a mesh complication while ≥ 3 elevated had an OR of 237 while controlling for age, BMI, and smoking. The highest tertile of bFGF, thrombospondin-2, and fibronectin together perfectly indicated a complication (P < 0.0001). A receiver-operator curve for high bFGF, thrombospondin-2, and fibronectin showed excellent discrimination between complications and controls (AUC 0.87). These data provide evidence of dysregulated wound healing in mesh complications. Modifiable factors provide potential targets for patient counseling and interventions.

Laparoscopic synthetic mesh explantation after sacrohysteropexy

INTRODUCTION

In this video, we present a case of rectal and bladder injury, which occurred during laparoscopic mesh removal following sacrohysteropexy treated 6 months later with a laparoscopic pectopexy.

METHODS

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a prolapse recurrence after sacrohysteropexy. During the laparoscopic explantation of the mesh, we detected a fixation of the mesh to the bladder and the rectum rather than a fixation to the vaginal walls. Consequently, bladder and rectal injuries occurred during the dissection and were diagnosed and repaired immediately. Due to bowel injury, the treatment of the prolapse was postponed. Six months later, a laparoscopic pectopexy was performed to avoid complications during the repeated dissection of the promontory. The postoperative recovery after the pectopexy was uncomplicated with no short-term prolapse recurrence or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy appears to be an efficient approach to mesh explantation. Futhermore, laparoscopic pectopexy seems to be a good approach to secondary prolapse reconstruction after sacrohysteropexy mesh explantation avoiding complications during repeated dissection of the promontory.

Symptom Resolution and Recurrent Urinary Incontinence Following Removal of Painful Midurethral Slings

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate pain improvement and recurrent stress incontinence (SUI) following painful synthetic midurethral sling (MUS) removal.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent synthetic MUS removal at our institution from 2009-2016 for the indication of pain. We recorded sling type (transobturator vs retropubic), complete vs partial removal, and presenting symptoms. Postoperative pain improvement was categorized as resolved (pain resolved, requiring no further therapy), improved (pain less bothersome, may require further therapy), or unresolved (no/minimal improvement, requiring further management). Recurrent incontinence and further reconstructive procedures were assessed.

RESULTS

87 patients (49 complete and 38 partial removal) with pain as the primary indication for removal were included. Median age at intervention was 54 years with median follow-up of 8 months. Overall, pain improved or resolved in 78.1% of cases. Complete removal was associated with significantly greater percentage of pain resolution (63.3%) compared to partial removal (26.3%) (P = 0.002) regardless of sling type. No significant differences in recurrent SUI were noted in complete vs partial removal. Additional reconstructive procedures were performed in 28 patients, most commonly sling placement, with no significant difference in complete (20.4%) vs partial (28.9%) removal groups (P = 0.36). The overall complication rate was low (5.7%), a majority of which were transfusions (4.6%).

CONCLUSION

Following MUS removal, most patients experienced resolution or improvement of pain. Complete sling removal was associated with significantly greater percentage of pain resolution compared to partial removal in both retropubic and transobturator slings. Rates of recurrent SUI and reintervention for SUI were not related to the extent of sling removal.

Transvaginal single-port laparoscopic pelvic reconstruction with Y-shaped mesh: experiences of 93 cases

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To demonstrate the outcomes of pelvic reconstruction using Y-shaped mesh in patients with multiple-compartment pelvic organ prolapse via transvaginal single-port laparoscopy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case series study. Patients diagnosed with severe multiple-compartment prolapse were enrolled between July 1, 2017, and March 31, 2020. Patients underwent transvaginal single-port laparoscopic pelvic reconstruction with Y-shaped mesh. Baseline data and perioperative results were collected. Patients were followed up with the POP-Q score, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12). T-test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Operations were successful in all 93 patients without conversion or serious complications. Mean operative time was 132.70 ± 28.02 min and estimated blood loss was 110.65 ± 56.31 ml. VAS pain score was 2.91 ± 1.16 and cosmetic score was 9.20 ± 0.60. During 1-33 months of follow-up, no recurrence or mesh exposure was observed. Five patients suffered from de novo SUI, six had constipation, two had dyspareunia, and one had persistent pelvic pain. The pre- and postoperative Aa point was +2.13 ± 1.23 vs. -2.91 ± 0.28 (P < 0.05), C point was 2.63 ± 2.41 vs. -6.86 ± 0.69 (P < 0.05), and Ap point was -0.26 ± 1.79 vs. -2.97 ± 0.16 (P < 0.05). The PFDI-20 score was 76.81 ± 32.06 vs. 18.18 ± 20.25 (P < 0.05), while the PISQ-12 score was 34.30 ± 4.17 vs. 37.20 ± 2.60 (P < 0.05), which suggested significant improvements in both physical prolapse and quality of life after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal single-port laparoscopic pelvic reconstruction with Y-shaped mesh is a feasible, effective and safe treatment option for severe multiple-compartment prolapse. Patients may benefit from its mild pain level and good cosmetic effect as well as only minor mesh-related complications.

Surgical management of bladder erosion and pelvic pain after laparoscopic lateral suspension for pelvic organ prolapse

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Mesh-augmented lateral suspension for prolapse repair seems to be associated with few complications. However, mesh-related complications can negatively affect the quality of life and may be challenging to manage. This video is aimed at presenting the surgical management of a case of severe pelvic pain and dyspareunia after lateral laparoscopic suspension associated with mesh erosion in the bladder.

METHODS

A 46-year-old woman was referred to our Unit for severe pelvic pain and inability to have sexual intercourses since undergoing a uterus-sparing laparoscopic lateral suspension procedure for genital prolapse 2 years before in another hospital. Moreover, she reported bladder pain and recurrent urinary tract infections. Cystoscopy showed mesh erosion in the bladder. She was admitted to laparoscopic hysterectomy plus subtotal mesh excision and bladder reconstruction (video).

RESULTS

No surgical complications were observed. The postoperative course was uneventful. At the current follow-up, the patient reported complete resolution of her symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The featured video shows laparoscopic subtotal mesh excision, concomitant hysterectomy and bladder repair for pelvic pain, dyspareunia and bladder erosion after lateral suspension. This video may be useful in providing anatomical views and surgical steps necessary for achieving successful surgical management of this mesh-related complication.

The Management and Efficacy of Surgical Techniques Used for Erosive Mesh in the Urethra and Bladder: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

This study reports the re-operation and symptom resolution rates of different techniques used in surgical excision of genitourinary mesh erosions.

METHODS

A comprehensive systematic review was completed after searching electronic databases for studies involving outcomes of mesh erosion in humans that were managed surgically using a transvaginal, cystoscopic, or abdominal approach. Surgical outcomes were reported in percentages, ranges, and simple pooling to generate trends in management techniques.

RESULTS

There were 177 cases that met our inclusion criteria. Forty-one patients underwent cystoscopic removal of eroded urethral mesh while 40 cases underwent transvaginal removal of urethral mesh.

CONCLUSIONS

For mesh eroded into the urethra, a transvaginal vs. cystoscopic approach showed a trend toward resolution of symptoms and fewer interventions. For mesh eroded into the bladder, abdominal and cystoscopic approaches had similar symptom resolution, but abdominal approach required fewer interventions.