Robotic sacrocolpopexy for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in elderly women: comparative analysis of safety and efficacy versus younger women

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition with high prevalence in elderly women. With increasing life expectancy and a desire for improved quality of life, a rise in the frequency of surgical treatments for these women is anticipated. The aim is to compare complication, success, and satisfaction rates among elderly patients (aged >70 years) in comparison to younger women undergoing robotic sacrocolpopexy, thereby assessing the safety and efficacy of this surgery in this group of patients.

METHOD

A prospective observational comparative study of 123 robotic sacrocolpopexies conducted between December 2016 and June 2022. Patients were stratified by age (cutoff point: 70 years). Baseline characteristics, type, and grade of prolapse, intra and postoperative data, complications, functional and anatomical outcomes, and satisfaction levels were collected.

RESULTS

Among the 123 patients, 62.6% were under 70 years old, while 37.4% were 70 years or older, exhibiting similar baseline characteristics, prolapse grade, and type. The percentages of intraoperative (6.5%) and postoperative complications (4.4-9%) were comparable in both age groups. Furthermore, success and satisfaction rates exceeded 90%, with no significant differences between women under and over 70 years during a two-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Robotic sacrocolpopexy is at least as effective and safe in women aged 70 years or older as in younger individuals, with no higher rates of intra and postoperative complications and similar rates of anatomical and subjective success.

Prevalence and management of urinary incontinece after pelvic organ prolapse surgery (sacrocolpopexy). A literature review

INTRODUCTION

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is frequently associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and may occur after its surgical treatment.

AIM

To determine the incidence, risk factors and management of SUI during and after POP surgery through a review of the available literature.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Narrative literature review on the incidence and management of SUI after POP surgery after search of relevant manuscripts indexed in PubMed, EMBASE and Scielo published in Spanish and English between 2013 and 2023.

RESULTS

Occult SUI is defined as visible urine leakage when prolapse is reduced in patients without SUI symptoms. De novo SUI develops after prolapse surgery without having previously existed. In continent patients, the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one case of de novo SUI is estimated to be 9 patients and about 17 to avoid repeat incontinence surgery. In patients with occult UI, the NNT to avoid repeat incontinence surgery is around 7. Patients with POP and concomitant SUI are the group most likely to benefit from combined surgery with a more favorable NNT (NNT 2).

CONCLUSION

Quality studies on combined surgery for treatment SUI and POP repair are lacking. Continent patients with prolapse should be warned of the risk of de novo SUI, although concomitant incontinence treatment is not currently recommended. Incontinence surgery should be considered on an individual basis in patients with prolapse and SUI.

Combined laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and recurrent urinary incontinence

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) is the gold standard treatment for apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has a high success rate in treating recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the first simultaneous LSC and AUS implantation through a vesicovaginal approach to the bladder neck.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Operation is performed through a transperitoneal approach. The rectovaginal space is created and the posterior mesh is fixed. The vesicovaginal and both laterovesical spaces are dissected. The vesicovaginal space is connected to both lateral spaces. This is main step of the procedure because it let us place the cuff around the bladder neck in a non-blind fashion. The anterior mesh is fixed to the vagina. The anterior side of the bladder neck is dissected and the cuff implanted. Both meshes are fixed to the promontory. Pressure-regulating balloon is inserted, the pump is placed in the labia majora and the components are connected. Peritoneum is closed.

RESULTS

Surgical time was 180 minutes, bladder catheter was removed at 5th postoperative day, hospital stay was 5 days. The AUS was activated 6 weeks after surgery. No perioperative complications occurred. After 12 months the patient is pad-free and prolapse was objectively and subjectively cured.

CONCLUSIONS

Vesicovaginal dissection is a shared step in this technique of LSC and AUS implantation. This approach could minimize the risk of bladder neck injury. We propose this technique in selected cases of prolapse and recurrent SUI.

Role of robotic surgery in functional urology

Three-dimensional, high-definition images, small instruments with endowrist technology, ergonomic position and the easiness to teach, are possibly the main reasons why robotic surgery will continue to gain ground to others forms of surgery. The current applications of robotics in functional urology are: the correction of pelvic organ prolapse, the correction of female stress urinary incontinence (artificial urinary sphincter) and the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (pudendal nerveneurolysis). In this paper, we explain our robotic techniques in these three scenarios, as well as, provide the most updated data of our series.