Sacrohysteropexy with synthetic mesh for the management of uterovaginal prolapse

Abdominal Sacrohysteropexy using Proline mesh versus Mersilene tape in apical prolapse: A randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE

uterine preservation is increasingly a common demand in surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse. Using Proline mesh in surgical repair of prolapse may have negative drawbacks.

OBJECTIVE

compare between using Polyproline mesh and Mersilene tape in abdominal Sacrohysteropexy repairing apical prolapse stage ӀӀ or more.

STUDY DESIGN

This RCT study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Menoufia and Ain Shams university hospitals, Egypt). Eligible population included women planned Sacrohysteropexy for uterine prolapse ≥ stage 2 assigned to two groups: Mesh group (n = 38), underwent Sacrohysteropexy with polyproline mesh, and Tape group (n = 38), underwent Sacrohysteropexy using Mersilene tape.

RESULTS

High statistically significant difference between TAPE group and MESH group concerning hysteropexy time was 50.4 min in TAPE group vs 90.6 min in MESH group (p < 0.001), need for post operative analgesia was14 in TAPE group vs 27 in MESH group (p < 0.005). The mean hospital stay was 2.8 days in TAPE group vs 5.2days in MESH group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Using Mersilene tape in Sacrohysteropexy is a safe alternative to Polyproline Mesh with comparable efficacy with less complications. Tape is easier as it needs less dissection area for sacral fixation so less injury incidence.

Laparoscopic Sacrocervicopexy Using Ethibond Suture Graft: A Very Economic Yet Effective Fertility Preserving Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

BACKGROUND

The modern era has witnessed a transition to a phase of uterus-preserving surgeries and so holds true for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgeries as well. Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy has become a preferred surgical modality for moderate to severe degrees of POP in most women of the childbearing age group. With the alarming incidences of mesh erosion, synthetic mesh has almost gone off the market. We advocate a very simple and cost-effective technique of laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy using an Ethibond suture graft.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was a pilot prospective observational study over one year. Consecutive consenting women with symptomatic prolapsed uterus Stage-II of the central component of the quantitative POP classification (POP-Q) were recruited. Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy was performed under general anesthesia using the standard protocols, and patients were prospectively followed for six months after surgery. The duration of surgery and hospital stay were noted. Patient satisfaction was rated using a five-point Likert scale. The vaginal length was measured immediately after and six months post-surgery. Sexual function was assessed using the validated female sexual function index (FSFI) scale six months after sacrocervicopexy.

RESULTS

Out of 28 recruited women, the majority were multiparous, highly qualified, and belonged to the middle socio-economic class. Seven patients had co-morbidity in the form of hypertension (17.8%), diabetes (7.1%), and cardiovascular diseases (7.1%). The mean duration of surgery was 105.8±7.2 minutes in the study population. The mean duration of hospital stay was 2.2±0.6 days. No surgical site infection was noted in any of the cases. Most patients rated "very satisfied" experiences following surgery (67.9%). The mean vaginal length after surgery was 7.6±1.2 centimeters. After a follow-up period of six months, the mean vaginal length was 7.4±0.8 centimeters. The mean FSFI score was 30.8±2.4.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy with Ethibond suture graft is a cost-effective and safe surgical technique for POP in resource-limited settings. It also obviates the additional cost of synthetic mesh and the long-term risks of mesh erosion.

Outcomes of laparoscopic hysteropexy and supracervical hysterectomy plus cervicopexy: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic hysteropexy (LHP) and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy plus cervicopexy (LSHCP) for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively included patients who had undergone laparoscopic sacral hysteropexy or hysterectomy plus cervicopexy between January 2015 and May 2019 at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan. Age at surgery, body mass index (BMI) at admission, the initial stage of genital prolapse, operative and postoperative data, and anatomical results were recorded. Cure for uterine prolapse was evaluated objectively through vaginal examinations using the POP quantification scale. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded at 24 h postoperatively. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare continuous variables.

RESULTS

A total of 23 women were included in the study; 12 had received LHP (n = 12) and 11 had received LSHCP (n = 11). No differences existed in age, parity, BMI, blood loss, or hospital stay between groups. The difference in mean surgical times between the LHP and LSHCP groups was nonsignificant (154 and 176 min, respectively; P = 0.2). VAS scores were significantly lower in the LSHCP group than in the LHP group (0.1 vs. 1.75; P = 0.004). Furthermore, mean hospital stay was significantly longer in the LSHCP group than in the LHP group (4.0 vs. 3.1 days; P = 0.016). The procedure was successful in 100% of patients (23 of 23), with no objective evidence of uterine prolapse on examination at follow-up at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

LHP had a significantly shorter hospital stay and a higher VAS score than LSHCP. LHP and LSHCP are both feasible and effective procedures for correcting uterine prolapse.

Success rates and outcomes of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy

BACKGROUND

Uterovaginal prolapse is a prevalent gynaecological issue, which can have a negative impact on the quality of life of women. Hysterectomy and vaginal repair are conventional treatments to address apical prolapse; however, women are increasingly requesting uterine-preserving alternatives.

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy on symptomatic prolapse from an Australian experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study presents outcomes of 157 patients who underwent laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy at a private practice in South Australia during 2007-2017. Primary outcome is the success rate according to the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system. Secondary measures included complication rates and patients identified as having Stages III-IV prolapse and their outcomes.

RESULTS

The median age was 58 years (27-86 years), median parity was 2 (0-6), and median body mass index was 26.8 (23-29.9). One hundred and thirty-four women had a laparoscopic hysteropexy and concurrent vaginal prolapse repair and four women had an isolated laparoscopic hysteropexy. The mean pre-operative point C was 0.60. The mean change from pre-operative point C to post-operative point C was 7.6 cm (P < 0.01). Of the 136 patients (98.6%) seen at post-operative 4-6 weeks, all had Stage 0 POP-Q scores. Prolapse recurrence was observed in 22 patients, while 116 patients remained cured at their last follow-up. Prolapse recurrence was associated with anterior vaginal mesh, previous prolapse surgery, pre-operative Stage III-IV disease and number of vaginal deliveries.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy is an effective and safe procedure with a high success rate comparable to available international data.

Transposition of Cardinal Ligaments for Stages II-III Uterine Prolapse: A Minimally Invasive Procedure

Uterine and other pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are becoming more frequently encountered due to increased life expectancy among menopausal women. Traditionally, most surgical procedures included hysterectomy as an integral part of the management. POP might, however, though less commonly, affect women not willing to accept hysterectomy, especially young females who did not complete their family. For these patients, uterine prolapse could be managed by a number of uterine-sparing surgical procedures that are performed through either abdominal or vaginal route according to patient's condition, surgeon's choice, and skills. Most of these operations, however, are usually lengthy, invasive, need good experience, and sometimes special accessories and instruments. We performed anterior transposition of the cardinal ligaments on two patients with POP quantification Stages II-III uterine prolapse without amputating the cervix. Both patients were interviewed at 6, 12, and 18-month intervals and reported no undue pain or dyspareunia with complete satisfaction regarding self-assessment of gynecologic anatomy. Furthermore, examination by the lead author revealed satisfactory anatomic correction. We recommend this simple, easy, and minimally invasive vaginal procedure to fellow gynecologists for repair of mild degrees of uterine prolapse in women declining hysterectomy or amputation of the cervix.

Laparoscopic hysteropexy: 10 years' experience

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Uterine prolapse is common and has traditionally been treated by vaginal hysterectomy. Increasingly, women are seeking uterine-preserving alternatives. Laparoscopic hysteropexy offers resuspension of the uterus using polypropylene mesh. We report on 10 years' experience with this technique.

METHODS

All hysteropexy procedures in our unit since 2006 were reviewed. Primary outcome was safety of hysteropexy, as assessed by intraoperative and major postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes were measures of feasibility, including operating time, length of stay, conversion to alternative procedures, change in point C, patient satisfaction, and repeat apical prolapse surgery.

RESULTS

Data were available for 507 women. Complications were rare (1.8%) with no evidence of any mesh exposure. Mean operating time was 62.5 min and median length of stay 2 nights. In 17 patients (3.4%), hysteropexy was abandoned. There was a mean change in point C of 7.9 cm and 93.8% of patients felt that their prolapse was "very much" or "much" better. Of these women, 2.8% have had repeat apical surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the largest series to date, describing 10 years' experience with laparoscopic hysteropexy. The surgical technique appears to be safe, with low complication rates, which supports the choice of appropriately selected women to opt for uterine preservation surgery as an alternative to hysterectomy for the management of uterine prolapse.

Uterine sparing surgical methods in pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is defined as the protrusion of pelvic organs to the vagen and is an important health problem in patients of older age. Today, most women with POP prefer uterine sparing surgery due to the changes in lifestyle, beliefs, pregnancy desire, and understanding the role of the uterus and cervix in sexual function. Therefore, the need for newer surgical procedures that involve less invasive surgery, reduced intraoperative and postoperative risks, and a faster healing time in POP surgery have gained importance. Vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic, and robotic methods are defined in uterine preserving surgery but there is not yet a consensus on which of them should be chosen. In choosing the proper technique, the patient's general status, accompanying disease, correct indication, and the surgeon's experience are all important. In our practice we prefer laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy in patients who prefer to preserve their uterus because of the lower costs and high success rates compared with abdominal and robotic techniques.

Hysteropexy in the treatment of uterine prolapse stage 2 or higher: a multicenter randomized controlled non-inferiority trial comparing laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy with vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy (LAVA-trial, study protocol)

BACKGROUND

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common health problem: the lifetime risk of undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse by the age of 85 years is 19%. Pelvic organ prolapse has significant negative effects on a woman's quality of life. Worldwide, vaginal hysterectomy is the leading treatment method for patients with symptomatic uterovaginal prolapse. Several studies have shown that vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy and laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy are safe and effective alternatives in treating uterine descent. To date, it is unclear which of these techniques leads to the best operative result and the highest patient satisfaction. Therefore, we conducted the LAVA trial.

METHODS

The LAVA trial is a randomized controlled multicenter non-inferiority trial. The study compares laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy with vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy in women with uterine prolapse stage 2 or higher. The primary outcome of this study is surgical success of the apical compartment at 1 and 5 years follow-up. Secondary outcomes are subjective improvement on urogenital symptoms and quality of life (assessed by disease-specific and general quality of life questionnaires), complications following surgery, hospital stay, post-operative recovery, sexual functioning and costs-effectiveness. Evaluation will take place pre-operatively, and 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and annually till 60 months after surgery. Validated questionnaires will be used.Analysis will be performed according to the intention to treat principle. Based on comparable recurrence rates of 3% and a non-inferiority margin of 10%, 62 patients are needed in each arm to prove the hypothesis with a 95% confidence interval.

DISCUSSION

The LAVA trial is a randomized controlled multicenter non-inferiority trial that will provide evidence whether the efficacy of laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy is non-inferior to vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy in women with symptomatic uterine prolapse stage 2 or higher.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR4029.

Management options for women with uterine prolapse interested in uterine preservation

A variety of nonsurgical and surgical treatment options exist for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. While nonsurgical management is often selected as first-line treatment, many women eventually elect to undergo surgical management. Traditionally, prolapse repair often includes concomitant hysterectomy; however, women increasingly desire uterine preservation for a myriad of reasons. Multiple surgical procedures have been described to correct apical prolapse while preserving the uterus. Many studies suggest similar anatomic and functional outcomes compared to prolapse procedures with concomitant hysterectomy. Potential benefits include decreased operative time and avoidance of hysterectomy-specific complications, although there are several unique issues to consider if the uterus is retained. Surgeons must provide adequate counseling and preoperative evaluation before proceeding with uterine preservation.

Laparoscopic hysteropexy: 1- to 4-year follow-up of women postoperatively

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Uterine conserving re-suspension surgery has become more popular in recent years. Such surgery may allow preservation of fertility in younger women, but may also have the added benefit of augmenting weak connective tissue and possibly providing stronger apical support than the conventional hysterectomy. Our goal was to evaluate the 1- to 4-year outcome of laparoscopic hysteropexy for the surgical management of uterine prolapse.

METHODS

This study was a prospective observational study of 182 consecutive women who underwent laparoscopic hysteropexy, with or without additional vaginal repair, from the beginning of 2007 until the end of 2010. Women were invited to attend a dedicated clinic for interview and their prolapse was assessed using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Vaginal Symptoms (ICIQ-VS) and the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) scale. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre-operative with postoperative data. Complications and women's satisfaction were also noted.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty women agreed to participate; the mean interval from operation was 2.1 years (range 1-4.4). Eighty-nine percent of women felt that their prolapse is "very much" or "much" better using PGI-I subjective outcome measure. There was significant improvement for all parameters of ICIQ-VS and POP-Q scoring post-surgery (p < 0.001). Six women (4 %) had further apical prolapse; of these, 3 underwent further prolapse surgery. None of the participants had any mesh exposure. Ninety two percent of participants would recommend the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic hysteropexy is a safe and effective treatment. The 1- to 4-year outcome suggests high patient satisfaction and low rates of apical prolapse recurrence. Longer term follow-up and randomized controlled studies are required.

Efficacy of laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy for apical support of pelvic organ prolapse

Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy appears to be an effective option for sexually active women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Background and Objectives:

To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy for apical support in sexually active patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods:

One-hundred thirty-five women with symptomatic prolapse of the central compartment (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitative [POP-Q] stage 2) underwent laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy. The operating physicians used synthetic mesh to attach the anterior endopelvic fascia to the anterior longitudinal ligament of the sacral promontory with subtotal hysterectomy. Anterior and posterior colporrhaphy was performed when necessary. The patients returned for follow-up examinations 1 month after surgery and then over subsequent years. On follow-up a physician evaluated each patient for the recurrence of genital prolapse and for recurrent or de novo development of urinary or bowel symptoms. We define “surgical failure” as any grade of recurrent prolapse of stage II or more of the POP-Q test. Patients also gave feedback about their satisfaction with the procedure.

Results:

The mean follow-up period was 33 months. The success rate was 98.4% for the central compartment, 94.2% for the anterior compartment, and 99.2% for the posterior compartment. Postoperatively, the percentage of asymptomatic patients (51.6%) increased significantly (P < .01), and we observed a statistically significant reduction (P < .05) of urinary urge incontinence, recurrent cystitis, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and discomfort. The present study showed 70.5% of patients stated they were very satisfied with the operation and 18.8% stated high satisfaction.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy is an effective option for sexually active women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Uterus preservation in pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Attitudes to sexuality and the psychological value of reproductive organs have changed in Western countries over the last few decades. Nevertheless, repair of pelvic support defects with concomitant hysterectomy is still considered the standard treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. Over the last 10 years, however, interest has been growing in uterus-sparing surgery, which can be divided into vaginal, abdominal, and laparoscopic procedures. The majority of studies on uterus-sparing surgery, with the exception of abdominal techniques, report few cases with short follow-up. Sacrospinous hysteropexy is the most studied vaginal technique for uterus preservation and favorable results have been demonstrated, although the majority of studies are flawed by selection and information bias, short follow-up and lack of adequate control groups. Abdominal and laparoscopic procedures are promising, providing similar functional and anatomical results to hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy. Consensus is growing that the uterus can be preserved at the time of pelvic reconstructive surgery in appropriately selected women who desire it. The results of comparison trials and prospective studies confirm that uterus-sparing surgery is feasible and is associated with similar outcomes to hysterectomy, as well as shorter operating times. Surgeons should be ready to respond to the wishes of female patients who want to preserve vaginal function and the uterus.

Systematic review of the efficacy and safety of using mesh in surgery for uterine or vaginal vault prolapse

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study is to estimate efficacy and safety of mesh in surgery for uterine or vault prolapse.

METHODS

Seventeen electronic databases were searched for relevant studies that were published from 1980 onwards.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies involving 7,054 women were included. For sacrocolpopexy (average follow-up 23 months), the risk of clinical recurrence ranged from 0% to 6%, persistent symptoms ranged from 3% to 31% and mesh erosion from 0% to 12%. For infracoccygeal sacropexy (average follow-up 13 months), the risk of clinical recurrence ranged from 0% to 25%, persistent symptoms from 2% to 21% and mesh erosion 0% to 21%. Limited evidence was available for sacrocolpoperineopexy and uterine suspension sling to draw reliable estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

Sacrocolpopexy was associated with a low risk of recurrence but with a relatively high risk of mesh erosion. Ranges of estimates for outcomes for other mesh techniques were wide.

Laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy and myomectomy for uterine prolapse: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction

A large number of hysterectomies are carried out for uterine prolapse, menorrhagia and other symptomatic but benign gynaecological conditions, which has increased interest in new approaches to treat these disorders. These new procedures are less invasive and offer reduced risk and faster recovery.

Case presentation

Sacrohysteropexy can be carried out instead of vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of uterine prolapse. It involves using a synthetic mesh to suspend the uterus to the sacrum; this maintains durable anatomic restoration, normal vaginal axis and sexual function. A laparoscopic approach has major advantages over the abdominal route including shorter recovery time and less adhesion formation. We describe a laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy in a 55-year-old Caucasian British woman that was technically difficult. An intramural uterine fibroid was encroaching just above the uterosacral ligament making mesh positioning impossible. This was removed and the procedure completed successfully.

Conclusion

Posterior wall fibroid is not a contraindication for laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy. This procedure has increasingly become an effective treatment of uterine prolapse in women who have no indication for hysterectomy.

Radiofrequency remodelling of the endopelvic fascia is not an effective procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence in women

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of transvaginal radiofrequency remodelling of the endopelvic fascia as a primary procedure for urodynamic stress incontinence due to urethral hypermobility in women. It included 24 patients who had the procedure at two district general hospitals. Outcome measures included the pad test, urodynamic assessment, continence diary, pain scores and operative as well as post-operative complications and assessment was made on recruitment during hospital admission and at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. A rising failure rate was noted as early as 3 months, leading to a cumulative cure rate of 45.8% at 12 months follow-up. This low effectiveness could be attributed to inherent weakness of the endopelvic fascia. No major complications were encountered and pain scores were mild.

A comparison of different pelvic reconstruction surgeries using mesh for pelvic organ prolapse patients

This study was carried out in order to compare the effects in different surgeries using mesh in pelvic organ prolapse patients whose leading points were C. Thirty-nine patients were categorized into 3 groups: group A pelvic reconstruction with hysterectomy; group B hysterectomy prior to pelvic reconstruction; and group C pelvic reconstruction with uterus preserved. At first visit, POP-Q stage was determined, and age, BMI, admission days, operation time, post-operative stage and complications were observed and results were analyzed and compared. All patients who were operated upon converted to stage one month following the operation, and no further change was observed except in one patient. Group admission days were not significantly different, but tended to be lower in group C. Group average operation times between 'group A and B' and 'group A and C' were statistically different. No significant difference was observed in post-operative complications between the groups, but 3 members of group A developed erosion, whereas no erosion occurred in groups B and C. Pelvic reconstruction using mesh is a highly efficient method of treating pelvic organ prolapse. Improvements in stage and post-operative complications were not significantly different in the groups. However, uteropexy showed a shorter operation time, fewer admission days, and less erosion due to mesh than conventional pelvic reconstruction with hysterectomy.