Use of cadaveric solvent-dehydrated fascia lata for cystocele repair--preliminary results

OBJECTIVES

To present a surgical technique in which cadaveric fascia lata is used for cystocele repair.

METHODS

Twenty-one consecutive women (mean age 67 +/- 10 years) with severe cystocele were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent meticulous clinical and urodynamic preoperative evaluations. Solvent-dehydrated, Tutoplast-processed, cadaveric fascia lata was used for cystocele repair. The fascia was anchored transversally between the bilateral arcus tendineus and the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments. Standard endopelvic plication was performed thereafter as a second layer. Patients with overt or occult sphincteric incontinence underwent concomitant pubovaginal sling (PVS) surgery as well, using the same material. The main outcome measures included recurrent urogenital prolapse, persistent or de novo urinary incontinence (stress or urge), and dyspareunia.

RESULTS

Of the 21 patients, 19 underwent concomitant PVS, 3 concomitant vaginal hysterectomy, and 8 posterior colporrhaphy in addition to their cystocele repair. The mean follow-up was 20.1 +/- 6.7 months (range 12 to 30). No postoperative complications related to the material or technique occurred. None of the patients developed a recurrent cystocele. Two patients (9%), one of whom underwent concomitant posterior colporrhaphy, developed mild recto-enterocele at 4 to 6 months postoperatively. Six patients underwent concomitant PVS for occult sphincteric incontinence. None developed postoperative stress incontinence. Thirteen other patients underwent concomitant PVS for overt sphincteric incontinence. All but two were stress-continent postoperatively. One half of the patients with preoperative urge or mixed incontinence had persistent urge incontinence postoperatively. None of the patients developed postoperative de novo urge incontinence or dyspareunia.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of solvent-dehydrated cadaveric fascia lata for cystocele repair, as well as PVS, is associated with encouraging short and medium-term results. Long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate whether these results are durable.