Modified laparoscopic lateral suspension with a five-arm mesh in pelvic organ prolapse surgery

Background Laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) is a laparoscopic technique used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in apical and anterior compartment defect with the use of a synthetic T-shaped mesh graft. The posterior compartment is repaired using a second mesh or a procedure along with LLS, such as posterior colporrhaphy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of LLS for POP using a five-arm mesh instead of a T-shaped mesh graft to repair the defect of the posterior compartment in addition to the apical and anterior compartments. Methods Data from 37 patients with a diagnosis of advanced-stage (≥ 3) POP undergoing LLS with the use of a five-arm mesh were retrospectively analysed. Pre-operative and post-operative examinations and, surgical outcomes were determined. The results of measurements and examinations, reoperation rates, erosion rates, lower urinary tract symptoms, and complications were analysed. The Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL) was also used. Results The median post-operative follow-up was 20 (13–34) months. There was a significant improvement in POP-Q scores in all treated compartments, with overall objective cure rates of 94.5% for the apical compartment, 86.4% for the anterior compartment, and 91.8% for the posterior compartment. The median operative time was 96 (76–112) minutes. The median length of hospitalization was 2 (1–3) days. A significant improvement in vaginal bulge, urinary urgency, incomplete voiding, urinary frequency, and constipation was observed after surgery. The sexuality among patients increased from 13 (35.1%) preoperatively to 22 (59.4%) post-operatively. De novo stress urinary incontinence developed in 7 (18.9%) patients. The P-QOL scores improved significantly after surgery. Conclusions In advanced-stage POP patients, the posterior compartment damage can also be repaired in LLS with the use of a single five-arm mesh without the need for an additional procedure, and the recurrence rate can be reduced.

Laparoscopic lateral suspension for anterior and apical prolapse: a prospective cohort with standardized technique

Introduction and hypothesis Laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) for anterior and apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair is a recent approach. Previous studies used various meshes or sutures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of a standardized LLS technique. Methods From January 2010 until December 2014, we performed POP repair by LLS with mesh on 88 women with anterior and apical POP ≥ stage 2. We used a polypropylene titanized mesh fixed to the vesico-vaginal fascia with absorbable sutures and treated posterior compartment defect by vaginal approach with native tissue repair if required. Between July 2013 and December 2018, all women were assessed by gynecological examination including the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system. Subjective outcome was evaluated by the patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire. Results Seventy-nine women (89.8%) were available for follow-up. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.4 years (SD 1.6). Mean age was 59.6 (SD 11.1) years and mean BMI 25.8 (SD 4.0) kg/m2. Ten patients (12.7%) had previous POP surgery. Fifty-two women (65.8%) required posterior colporraphy for associated posterior defect and 21 (26.6%) had associated urinary incontinence (UI) surgery. There were no perioperative complications. The objective cure rate (no prolapse beyond the hymen and no reoperation for POP recurrence) was 87.3%. The reoperation rate for recurrence was 5.1%. The subjective success rate (PGI ≤ 2) was 96.2%. There were no mesh exposures or extrusions. Conclusions This standardized LLS is safe and effective with no mesh complications after 3-year follow-up.

Outcomes of robotically assisted laparoscopic lateral suspension (RALLS) with mesh for anterior and apical prolapse

Abdominal sacral colpopexy/hysteropexy is the gold standard for the treatment of vaginal apex support. However, dissection of the promontory may expose to potentially life-threatening complications. To avoid this risk, laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh is an alternative. Robotic assistance may be helpful in both techniques. The objective of our study was to evaluate outcomes of robotically assisted laparoscopic lateral suspension (RALLS) with mesh for anterior and apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). From March 2012 to January 2018, 59 consecutive patients underwent RALLS using titanized polypropylene mesh. Between August 2017 and September 2019, all patients were contacted to assess outcome. We performed a clinical exam and asked them to complete the patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire. Fifty-four patients (91.5%) were available for follow-up. Mean age was 58.5 years (28.8–79.8). There were no perioperative complications. The mean follow-up was 33.6 months (11.2–74.1).The objective cure rate (no prolapse beyond hymen) and the subjective cure rate (PGI-I ≤ 2) were 83.3% and 77.2%, respectively. Five women (9.3%) were reoperated for POP recurrence. There was no erosion. Of the 20 women complaining of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) preoperatively, 12 (60%) were cured without any additional SUI procedure. Only two women (10%) required TVT for persistent grade 2 SUI. Two women (5.9%) developed de novo SUI, but none of them required an operation. RALLS repair for POP with mesh is safe and effective and may represent an alternative to sacral colpopexy/hysteropexy.

Modified Laparoscopic Lateral Suspension with A 5 Arm Mesh in Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery.

Background: The LLS procedure is a laparoscopic technique used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP), performed with a T-shaped synthetic mesh graft. The posterior compartment is repaired by using a second mesh or a second procedure like posterior colporrhaphy in the LLS procedure. In laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) surgery, we want to repair the defect of the posterior compartment in addition to the apical and anterior compartment by using a 5-arm mesh instead of a T-shaped synthetic mesh graft. In this study, we aim to report clinical results of surgeries performed POP repair with a 5-arm mesh.Method: Data from 37 patients who underwent LLS surgery by using a 5-arm mesh with a diagnosis of advanced stage (≥ stage 3) POP and the defect of the posterior compartment were retrospectively analyzed. The postoperative examination included grading and measurement of the POP-Q stage. Surgical outcomes were reported in pursuance of the International Urogynecological Association recommendations. The results of measurements and examinations, the reoperation rates, the erosion rates, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and complications were recorded. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: There was a significant improvement in POP-Q ≤ −1 score in all treated compartments with an overall objective cure rate of 95.3% for the apical compartment, 86.1% for the anterior compartment, and 91.1% for the posterior compartment. The mean operative time was 96.27±15.81 minutes. The mean length of hospitalization was 2±0.82 days. A significant improvement was observed in symptoms of the vaginal bulge, urinary urgency, incomplete voiding, urinary frequency after surgery. Also, an improvement occurred in defecation symptoms of patients after POP repair. While 13 of the patients (35.1%) were sexually active preoperatively, this rate was determined to be 59.4% (n=22) postoperatively. De novo stress urinary incontinence developed in 7 patients (18.9%) postoperatively. The POP-related quality-of-life score (PQOL) improved significantly after surgery.Conclusion: İn advanced stage POP patients undergoing laparoscopic lateral suspension procedure using a 5-arm mesh, damaged compartments including the posterior compartment can be repaired without the need for an additional procedure and the recurrence rate can be reduced.

Mesh-related complications of laparoscopic lateral suspension

Objective: Restorative procedures are essential for sexually active vaginal vault prolapse (VVP) cases. There are concerns about the long learning curve and major complications of sacrocolpopexy. Laparoscopic lateral suspension has a relatively short learning curve and no reported major complications. However, there are concerns about the use of mesh in prolapse surgeries and limited data is available about mesh complications with laparoscopic lateral suspension. This study aimed to establish the mesh-related complications after laparoscopic lateral suspension. Study Design: We carried out a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic lateral suspension for symptomatic VVP at three tertiary hospitals. Cases were identified from theatre records with coding data and the universities database. Demographic features, concomitant procedures, duration of surgery, intra-operative complications, hospital stay, change in pelvic organ prolapse quantification point C, Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale records, mesh-related complications and their management are presented. Results: A total of 120 patients underwent laparoscopic lateral suspension for symptomatic vault prolapse between 2014-2019. In total, mesh complications developed in 3 women (2.5%). While two vaginal mesh exposures were successfully managed with topical estrogen, one required surgical excision. One lateral mesh arm was loosened from the skin causing pain and itching. From 110 Patient Global Impression of Improvement scores, 106 women (96%) described their prolapse as ‘very much’ or ‘much’ better, 4 patients (3.6 %) reported ‘no change’ and no one reported worsening of symptoms. Conclusions: This series suggests that laparoscopic lateral suspension has low risk of mesh-related complications. It is a safe and effective procedure for symptomatic vault prolapse with high rates of patient satisfaction.