Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Single Center Experience in China

Objective. The aim is to investigate the efficiency and outcome of robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RASC) in a cohort of patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in our Gynecology Department. Methods. We performed a retrospective study of female patients who underwent RASC in Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to December 2020. Their clinical features included age, degree of prolapse, menopause time, body mass index, pregnancy, delivery, operation time, and bleeding volume. All patients were followed up for more than 6 months. POP-Q was recorded to evaluate the position of prolapsed organs. PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, and PGI-I were used to evaluate the life quality after surgery. Results. Twenty-four patients with POP received RASC in our center. The intraoperative bleeding was 86.9 ± 98.3 ml (20–300 ml). The operation time was 143.5 ± 47.3 min (60–240 minutes). The hospitalization time was 10.4 ± 2.1 days (8–16 days). And the follow-up time was 40.8 ± 22.0 months (6–72 months). In the POP-Q follow-up, postoperative Aa, Ba, Ap, Bp, and C were significantly improved than those before surgery ( P < 0.05 ). The objective and subjective cure rate was 100%. PGI-I score was very good in 9 (9/24), very good in 10 (10/24), and good in 3 (3/24). Postoperative PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 were 2.78 ± 3.82 and 1.57 ± 3.86, which decreased dramatically after surgery ( P < 0.05 ). Mesh exposure occurred in 4 cases (16.7%) at 2–12 months. The exposed diameters were less than 1 cm in 3 cases (2 A/T3/S1) and 1-2 cm in 1 case (3 B/T3/S1). These mesh exposures healed after conservative observation or mesh excision. Conclusion. RASC for POP has the advantage of less bleeding and hospitalization time. It is a minimally invasive option for pelvic organ prolapse.

OV02 COMPLEX PARASTOMAL HERNIA REPAIR WITH MESH FISTULA AND MESH INFECTION

Aim Parastomal hernias of any size can be difficult to manage and greatly affect a patient’s quality of life, however, they can be even more problematic when associated with loss of domain and infection. The aim of our video was to demonstrate open repair of a massive parastomal hernia complicated by loss of domain, mesh fistula, and mesh infection. Material and Methods Images and footage from clinic and the operative procedure were included. Results A 51-year-old female with a history of prior APR followed by failed ventral and parastomal hernia repairs presented with a massive parastomal hernia that was significantly impacting her and her family’s quality of life. Due to her hernia, she had become immobile and was bed bound. Furthermore, the hernia had caused significant chronic constipation secondary to colonic dysmotility. The patient also had loss of domain, and her hernia appeared to be complicated by a chronic mesh infection with a draining sinus. She underwent pre-operative bilateral botulinum toxin A injection in the oblique abdominal musculature. She then underwent open preperitoneal parastomal hernia repair with biologic mesh, excision of prior mesh, primary fistula repair, total abdominal colectomy, and end ileostomy. The patient tolerated the procedure well without complications and has continued to do well in follow-up. She has had great improvement in her quality of life. Conclusions In this patient with a massive parastomal hernia complicated by loss of domain, mesh fistula, and mesh infection, we demonstrate a successful open preperitoneal repair following pre-operative BTA injection.

Observational Cohort Study on the Use of a Slowly Fully Resorbable Synthetic Mesh (Phasix™) in the Treatment of Complex Abdominal Wall Pathology with Different Grades of Contamination

Purpose: Abdominal wall hernia repair in contaminated cases remains a therapeutic challenge due to the high risk of post-operative surgical site occurrences (SSO). Slowly resorbable synthetic (biosynthetic) meshes have recently been introduced and may offer unique advantages when challenged with bacterial colonization during abdominal wall reconstruction. Methods: A multicenter single-arm retrospective observational cohort study examined all consecutive patients in whom a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate mesh (Phasix™ or Phasix™ ST; Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) was used for the repair of an inguinal or ventral/incisional hernia, or to replace an infected synthetic mesh. Patient records were analyzed according to the level of contamination, using the classification score of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The primary objective was to evaluate short-term postoperative morbidity by assessing SSOs and the need for reoperation or even mesh excision. Results: A total of 47 patients were included. The median age was 68 years (30-87), the male/female ratio was 26/21, and the median BMI was 26.5 kg/m2 (16.4-46.8). There were 17 clean cases, 17 clean-contaminated, 6 contaminated and 7 dirty. Median follow-up time was 48 days. An SSO was seen in 4 clean (23.5%), 7 clean-contaminated (41.2%), 2 contaminated (33.3%) and 5 dirty cases (71.4%). A surgical site occurrence requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI) was seen in 2 clean (11.8%), 3 clean-contaminated (17.6%), 1 contaminated (16.7%) and 2 dirty cases (28.6%). Hernia recurrence was seen in 1 clean (5.9%), 2 clean-contaminated (11.8%) and 3 dirty cases (42.9%). Mesh excision had to be performed in only one case in the contaminated group. Conclusion: The Phasix™ mesh shows promising short-term results when used in contaminated hernia-related surgery. Even in contaminated or dirty conditions, with or without infection of the mesh, resection of the mesh only had to be performed once and patients could be managed either conservatively or by relatively minor reoperations. However, further research is needed to fully evaluate the safety and efficacy of these meshes.

Endoscopic management of transvaginal mesh kit bladder extrusion: A case report and literature review

Objective: A rare complication of transvaginal synthetic mesh kits is bladder mesh extrusion. Treatment options include abdominal or vaginal surgical mesh excision or endoscopic mesh vaporization. There are very few published studies detailing endoscopic management. This unique case describes how repeated endoscopic mesh vaporization may be required as mesh extrusion may progress. Methods: A 71-year old female with a history of pelvic organ prolapse managed with an anterior transvaginal mesh kit presented years later with persistent urgency incontinence and recurrent acute cystitis. Cystoscopy eventually revealed bladder calculi adherent to extruded mesh. The stones and extruded mesh were vaporized using the Holmium laser on three occasions over 3 years. Results: Our approach offered a minimally invasive technique with short recovery, no use of a catheter post-operatively and maintained original prolapse repair; however, these patients may be at risk of mesh extrusion recurrence. Conclusion: Bladder extrusion of transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse kit mesh is thankfully a rare complication. With no current consensus for treatment of bladder mesh extrusion, the decision to perform complete mesh excision versus endoscopic treatment should be based on the degree and location of the extrusion, the risk of major complications, mesh extrusion recurrence and the patient’s desired outcomes, including recovery time and risk for prolapse recurrence. Endoscopic vaporization of extruded pelvic organ prolapse mesh likely has a higher recurrence rate than vaginal or abdominal excision. The risks and benefits are important to discuss during counseling and informed consent in these difficult cases. Level of evidence: 4