A new method of adjusting mesh tension using cystoscopy during laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

We aimed to examine the usefulness of cystoscopic findings to guide mesh tension adjustment during laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) to promote better repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and prevent de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In this technique, the bladder wall was observed using a cystoscope when various traction pressures were applied by pulling the mesh arm with forceps before fixation to the promontory during LSC. Adjustment was performed on 20 patients, and postoperative outcomes of POP repair and development of de novo SUI were evaluated. When excessive traction was applied on the mesh arm, a bladder neck opening and a cord-like elevation in the center of the trigone and posterior wall were observed in all cases. The tension was gradually loosened, and precisely when the above-mentioned cystoscopic finding (“Central Road”) disappeared, an anatomically appropriate elevation of the vaginal apex was achieved; the mesh arm was fixed to the promontory. At 6 months after LSC, anterior wall recurrences were diagnosed in four patients (beyond the hymen in one) with few symptoms, while no occurrence of de novo SUI. Cystoscopic findings during mesh tension adjustment in LSC could be useful in achieving improved POP repair.

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.

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.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair with Mesh: Description of Surgical Technique Using the Surelift® Anterior Repair System

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Although the use of transvaginal mesh (TVM) in the repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has been restricted, there are still some cases in which TVM may be the most appropriate approach. The TVM Surelift® anterior repair surgical technique has not been described previously. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of this study was to describe the surgical technique and to report our preliminary results regarding efficacy and complications. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A step-by-step description of surgical technique is presented. A descriptive retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate our preliminary results in 17 women who underwent POP repair using the Surelift® anterior repair system in our department between 2014 and 2017. TVM was offered to patients with symptomatic apical (primary or recurrent) or recurrent anterior POP stage ≥2. POP recurrence was classified as asymptomatic anatomic or symptomatic. Patients rated satisfaction with surgery on a scale from 0 to 10. Complications during follow-up were classified according to the International Urogynecological Association/International Continence Society recommendations. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Median (IQR) follow-up was 19.9 months (24.8). Two (11.8%) anatomic recurrences were identified, both symptomatic, but neither required further surgery. No cases of pelvic pain, dyspareunia, voiding, or defecatory dysfunction were detected. Two (11.8%) patients presented a &#x3c;1-cm vaginal mesh exposure (2AaT3S2) requiring partial mesh removal through a vaginal approach. At the end of follow-up, median satisfaction (IQR) with the surgery was 9 (3.1). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The Surelift® anterior repair system is effective in correcting apical or recurrent anterior POP, with a high patient satisfaction rate. Complications after this surgery are infrequent and are mostly related to vaginal mesh exposure.

Long-term outcomes of pelvic organ prolapse repair using a mesh-capturing device when comparing single- versus multicenter use

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare long-term effects of high-volume surgery at a single-center to multicenter use when using a mesh-capturing device for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair. Methods Five years after surgery 101 (88%) at the single center were compared with 164 (81.2%) in the multicenter trial. Outcome measurements included clinical examination, prolapse-specific symptom questionnaires [Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory 20 (PFDI-20), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire—short form (PFIQ-7), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12)] and pain estimation by VAS (0–10). Results Optimal apical segment outcome was 95% in the single- compared to 83.3% in the multicenter study (p < 0.001). POP recurrence in the anterior and posterior walls (POP-Q, Ba and Bp ≥ 0) was more common at the multicenter as compared to the single center [(19.8% vs 5.4%) and (26% vs 2.7%), (p < 0.001)]. Reoperations for POP and mesh-related complications were more frequent in the multicenter study [31/202 (15.3%) vs 7/116 (6.1%), p < 0.001]. Total PFDI-20, PFIQ-7 and PISQ-12 scores were comparable between the cohorts. There were no significant differences in overall pain scores in-between the cohorts during follow-up. At the single center, 1/81 patients (1.2%) had VAS 7/10, i.e. severe pain, as compared to 3/131 (2.3%) in the multicenter study (p = 0.277). Conclusions Despite the high objective and subjective long-term effectiveness of the procedure in both regular use, and at a high-volume center, centralizing the use of a standardized capturing-device guided transvaginal mesh for POP repair reduced secondary interventions by more than half.

Recent advances in pelvic floor repair

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are conditions which result in significant physical, mental and social consequences for women worldwide. The high rates of recurrence reported with primary repair for POP led to the use of synthetic mesh to augment repairs in both primary and secondary cases following failed previous POP repair. The widely reported, unacceptably high rates of complications associated with the use of synthetic, transvaginal mesh in pelvic floor repair have severely limited the treatment options that surgeons can offer. This article summarises the recent advances in pelvic floor repair, such as improved quantification and modelling of the biomechanics of the pelvic floor and the developing technology within the field of tissue engineering for treatment of SUI/POP, including biomaterials and cell-based therapies. Finally, we will discuss the issues surrounding the commercial introduction of synthetic mesh for use within the pelvic floor and what lessons can be learned for the future as well as the current guidance surrounding treatment for SUI/POP.

The degree of satisfaction of women undergoing surgical repair of prolapse, compared with clinical and urodynamic findings

Obiective: To assess the degree of satisfaction of women undergoing surgical repair of prolapse, compared with the clinical and urodynamic findings. Materials and Methods: 72 women hospitalized for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients underwent clinical evaluation and urodynamic study before and 4 months after POP repair. Women were assessed for urinary symptoms by micturition diary and patient perception of intensity of urgency scale. Women were also questioned about defecation and sexual life. POP repair was performed in all cases without the use of a mesh. Subjective evaluation was performed by patient global impression of improvement questionnaire. Results: 56 women were evaluable. Improvements were found in all micturition symptoms and in particular in voiding symptoms. Feeling of vaginal bulging disappeared in all patients. A slight improvement was found in constipation; 62% of patients had a normal sexual life but 27% refrained from sexual activity. Judgement of patients was between “much improved” and “very much improved”. Conclusions: Disappearance of the feeling of vaginal bulging was by far the best result. Improvements were found in most of the symptoms particularly in voiding symptoms and urodynamic findings.