Comparison of Surgical Results and Postoperative Recurrence Rates by Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy with Other Surgical Procedures for Managing Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Clinician perspectives on hysterectomy versus uterine preservation in pelvic organ prolapse surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous reviews on hysterectomy versus uterine-sparing surgery in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair did not consider that the open abdominal approach or transvaginal mesh use have been largely abandoned.

OBJECTIVES

To provide up-to-date evidence by examining only studies investigating techniques currently in use for POP repair.

SEARCH STRATEGY

MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from inception to January 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized and non-randomized studies comparing surgical procedures for POP with or without concomitant hysterectomy. Studies describing open abdominal approaches or transvaginal mesh implantation were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

A random effect meta-analysis was conducted on extracted data reporting pooled mean differences and odds ratios (OR) between groups with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

Thirty-eight studies were included. Hysterectomy and uterine-sparing procedures did not differ in reoperation rate (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.74-1.17), intraoperative major (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.79-2.26) and minor (OR 1.38; 95% CI 0.79-2.4) complications, postoperative major (OR 1.42; 95% CI 0.85-2.37) and minor (OR 1.18; 95% CI 0.9-1.53) complications, and objective (OR 1.38; 95% CI 0.92-2.07) or subjective (OR 1.23; 95% CI 0.8-1.88) success. Uterine preservation was associated with a shorter operative time (-22.7 min; 95% CI -16.92 to -28.51 min), shorter hospital stay (-0.35 days, 95% CI -0.04 to -0.65 days), and less blood loss (-61.7 mL; 95% CI -31.3 to -92.1 mL). When only studies using a laparoscopic approach for both arms were considered, no differences were observed in investigated outcomes between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

No major differences were observed in POP outcomes between procedures with and without concomitant hysterectomy. The decision to preserve or remove the uterus should be tailored on individual factors.

Improvement in Quality of Life after Laparoscopic or Robotic-assisted Sacrocolpopexy with a Single Anterior Mesh in Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Retrospective Analysis from a Single Institution

Objectives

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a significant health-care problem for older women. We have treated POP surgically using laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) or robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RSC). The original LSC and RSC procedures were done with anterior and posterior meshes; however, the use of the single mesh procedure is increasing because of its simplicity and safety. There have been few reports about the change in quality of life (QOL) using the single mesh procedure. Therefore, the present study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the change in QOL by LSC and RSC using a single anterior mesh for women without posterior compartment prolapse.

Materials and Methods

We performed LSC or RSC using a single anterior mesh in 52 patients who had POP without posterior vaginal wall prolapse between August 2018 and October 2022. We assessed the QOL before and after surgery using prolapse-QOL (P-QOL) questionnaires.

Results

All patients who received LSC or RSC with a single anterior mesh left the hospital as scheduled without severe perioperative complications. There were no instances of wound infection or vaginal mesh extrusion. The recovery rate of questionnaires was 63.5% (33/52). All QOL score domains improved significantly, and there were no questionnaire parameters that worsened.

Conclusion

LSC or RSC using only a single anterior mesh improves P-QOL with a low incidence of surgical complications for POP patients who did not have posterior vaginal wall prolapse. LSC or RSC with a single anterior mesh may be a prospective new procedure for POP.

Laparoscopic Versus Vaginal Uterosacral Ligament Suspension in Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

Uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) is one of the most frequently used operations for the restoration of apical support in women with uterovaginal prolapse. However, existing studies are inconclusive as to whether and which surgical access route is superior. The aim of the present meta-analysis is tentatively to compare the efficiency and the postoperative complications of laparoscopic USLS (L-USLS) and vaginal USLS (V-USLS), highlighting that current evidence remains inconclusive regarding the superiority of either surgical access route.

DATA SOURCES

We performed a systematic literature review of 5 major databases (Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Clinicaltrials.gov) from inception till April 2023.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

No language restrictions were applied. All comparative studies that compared L-USLS and V-USLS for the management of women with uterovaginal prolapse were included.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Data from 6 retrospective cohort studies on 856 patients were extracted and analyzed. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions tool and ranged between moderate to serious. The pooled results suggest that L-USLS was associated with a potentially decreased incidence of ureteral compromise (odds ratio [OR], 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.89; p = .04) and seemingly lower objective (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.23-0.97; p = .04) and subjective recurrence rates (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.23-0.92; p = .03). There were no significant differences between the rates of postoperative pain from USLS sutures, postoperative pelvic hematomas, the suture exposure/granulation tissue formation, and the prolapse recurrence retreatment among the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis indicates that L-USLS is possibly associated with significantly fewer ureteral compromise rates and decreased subjective and objective recurrences rates compared to V-USLS. Nevertheless, given the limitations in data quality and heterogeneity of the included studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Large-scale randomized studies are essential to more definitively determine the relative merits of the laparoscopic versus vaginal approach.

Literature review, surgical decision making algorithm, and AGREE II-S comparison of national and international recommendations and guidelines in pelvic organ prolapse surgery

The average lifespan has increased over time due to improvements in quality of life, leading to an aging population that stays healthy for longer. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whether uterine or vaginal, is a problem that severely impairs quality of life and imposes significant restrictions. The present study provides the reader with a summary of the many surgical techniques used in POP surgery, comparing international guidelines, offering an algorithm that is simple to understand, and allows the reader to quickly choose the table that includes the best surgical therapy for each individual. Using relevant keywords, the writers searched the PubMed and Scopus databases for relevant publications from 2000 to April 2023. Studies with cases of oncologic disorders or prior hysterectomy performed for another reason were not included in the analysis. Ten distinct international guidelines are highlighted and examined in the present study. We used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II-S (AGREE II-S) method to assess their quality, and incorporated the results into the conclusion. Worldwide, anterior colporrhaphy is the preferred method of treating anterior compartment abnormalities, and mesh is virtually always used when recurrence occurs (which happens in about half of the cases). Worldwide, posterior colporrhaphy is commonly used to repair posterior compartment abnormalities. Only a few national guidelines (the Iranian guideline, Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica [AOGS], and the German-speaking countries) permit the use of mesh or xenograft in cases of recurrence. There is agreement on the abdominal approach (sacrocolpopexy) with mesh for treating apical deformities. Sacrospinous-hysteropexy is the standard method used to guide the vaginal approach; mesh is typically used to aid in this process. There are just three recommendations that do not include vaginal operations: HSE, AOGS, and Iran. Of obliteration techniques, colpocleisis is unquestionably the best. In conclusion, our analysis highlights the significance of customized methods in POP surgery, taking into account the requirements and preferences of each patient. To choose the best surgical therapy, criteria and patient features must be carefully considered.

Colpocleisis: reoperation risk and risk of uterine and vaginal cancer: A nationwide cohort study

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

We aimed to evaluate the risk of reoperation and uterine (myometrial, endometrial, and cervical) and vaginal cancer after colpocleisis performed during the years 1977-2018. Furthermore, we also aimed to assess the development in colpocleisis procedures performed during the study period.

METHODS

Danish nationwide registers covering operations, diagnoses, and life events can be linked on an individual level owing to the unique personal numbers of all Danish residents. We performed a nationwide historical cohort study including women born before year 2000 who underwent colpocleisis between 1977 and 2018 (N = 2,228) using the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). We followed the cohort until death/emigration/31 December 2018, whichever came first. Primary outcomes were number of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) operations performed after colpocleisis and uterine and vaginal cancer diagnosed after colpocleisis in a subgroup of women with the uterus in situ. This was assessed with cumulative incidences.

RESULTS

During follow-up (median 5.6 years) 6.5% and 8.2% underwent POP surgery within 2 and 10 years after colpocleisis respectively. Within 10 years after colpocleisis 0.5% (N = 8) were diagnosed with uterine or vaginal cancer in the subgroup of women with their uterus (N = 1,970). During the study time 37-80 women underwent colpocleisis yearly and the mean age increased (77.1 to 81.4 years).

CONCLUSION

Despite smaller studies showing no recurrence after colpocleisis, we found that 6.5% underwent reoperation within 2 years. Few women were diagnosed with uterine or vaginal cancer after colpocleisis. The increased age at the time of colpocleisis indicates changed attitudes regarding surgical treatment for elderly women with comorbidities.

The Pros and Cons of Hystero-preservation on Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

In the "boat at the dock" theory, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) may happen when the ropes (uterine supportive ligaments) break and/or the water level drops (pelvic floor muscles). Thus, it causes the boat (uterus and other pelvic organs) to slip from normal position and protrude out of the vagina. Surgical intervention with or without hysterectomy (hystero-preservation) is the most effective treatment for POP. Both hysterectomy and hystero-preservation for POP had a high anatomic and clinical cure rate. There is an increasing trend of hystero-preservation for POP during the past decades. The choices of either hysterectomy or hystero-preservation depend on the surgical factors, psychosocial factors, self-esteem and sexuality factors, and surgeon factors. Pelvic reconstructive surgery, either hysterectomy or hystero-preservation, can be performed via different approaches, including abdominal, laparoscopic, and vaginal routes, with native tissue or with mesh. This review will elucidate their related pros and cons, with further discussion and comparison of hystero-preservation via different routes.

Robotic sacrocolpopexy with autologous fascia lata: A case series

Objectives

Apical prolapse involves the upper vagina or vaginal vault after hysterectomy. Treatment is indicated for symptomatic women, and surgical approach is considered for women who failed or refused conservative therapy. We performed 10 pickups of autologous fascia, used for robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSCP).

Materials and Methods

We included patients between 60 and 80 years old who showed a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-q) over the second stage and with symptoms related to prolapse.

Results

All of them underwent autologous fascia lata (AFL) pickup from the right leg and after to RSCP. One patient underwent also posterior colporrhaphy. The mean intraoperative time was 199.2 min (183-230 min). No intra-operatory complications were reported. POP-q assessment during follow-up showed improvements: C point gained on average 7.6 points (5-8) and mean values went from -0.6 to - 8.2 cm (-7 to -9 cm). The three women who had anterior compartment defects shows good anatomical reconstitution with a mean Aa and Ba value of - 2.83 cm (-2.5 to -3 cm) and gained 4 points (average gain: 3.5-4.5 cm). Total vaginal lenght (TVL).

Conclusion

According to these data, in our experience, AFL employment showed a good anatomical result from the first to last follow-up.

Medium-term risk of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse within 2-year follow-up after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

Objective

The present study was performed to determine the risk of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (POP) within 2 years after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) in patients with uterovaginal prolapse.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective comparative study was performed in a population of 204 patients over a 2-year follow-up period following LSC with concomitant supracervical hysterectomy or uterine preservation at a single urological clinic between 2015 and 2019. The primary outcome was surgical failure following LSC in cases of POP, focusing on failures occurring before the 2^ndyear of follow-up. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) for surgical failure.

Results

The primary outcome, surgical failure in cases of POP, occurred 2 years after the initial surgery in 19 of the 204 patients (9.3%) (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.7% - 14.2%). Surgical failure was most common in the anterior compartment (n = 10, 4.9%), and further surgery was performed in seven of the patients with surgical failure (3.4%). The poor primary outcome was predicted by lysis of adhesions (OR, 7.5, 95% CI, 1.6-33.8, P = 0.008) and preoperative POP stage IV (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.1-10.8, P = 0.03) on multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

The overall rate of surgical failure following LSC in our cohort was 9.3% over the 2-year follow-up period after surgery, and preoperative prolapse stage IV was associated with a higher risk of recurrence.