The use of submucosal small intestinal mesh in laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy and posterior vaginal repair

Sacrocolpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse changes the mechanical axis of the vagina and can result in prolapse of the anterior or posterior vaginal walls. Thirteen consecutive patients were examined before and after surgery using the POP-Q International Continence Society scoring system for genital prolapse. One patient had an intact cervix and therefore underwent sacrocervicopexy, whereas two patients had sacrohysteropexy. The other patients had sacrocolpopexy. Porcine small intestinal submucosal (SIS) absorbable mesh (Surgisis, Cook) was fixed to the posterior vaginal wall. The posterior wall remained well supported following SIS mesh interposition between the posterior vaginal wall and the rectum. Meshes can provide the much-needed support in pelvic reconstruction.     

Functional and anatomical outcome of anterior and posterior vaginal prolapse repair with prolene mesh

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of prolene mesh on urinary, bowel and sexual function in prolapse surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational study on consecutive women. SETTING: Two referral uorgynaecological units in Italy. POPULATION: Women requiring prolapse repair for anterior or posterior vaginal prolapse. METHODS: All women were assessed for urinary, bowel, prolapse symptoms and dyspareunia pre- and post-operatively. Urodynamics was performed in selected cases. Surgery consisted of an anterior or posterior repair plus a prolene mesh. Follow up was after 1, 6 and 12 months. The ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vaginal anatomical restoration, urinary, bowel and sexual function. RESULTS: We recruited 63 women (mean age 63 years) with a mean follow up of 17 months. Anatomically, the success rate was 94%. Thirty-two women had an anterior repair. Among this group, the sexual activity rate did not alter but dyspareunia increased by 20%. Urge and stress incontinence did not change post-operatively but urgency improved in 10% and 13% had vaginal erosion of the mesh. Thirty-one women had a posterior repair. Among this group, sexual activity decreased by 12% and dyspareunia increased in 63%. Constipation improved in 15% and anal incontinence in 4%, and 6.5% of women had vaginal erosion of the mesh and one required mesh removal for pelvic abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study shows good anatomical results with the use of prolene mesh for prolapse repair, there was a high rate of morbidity. We believe that the use of prolene mesh should be abandoned.     

Evaluation of the fascial technique for surgical repair of isolated posterior vaginal wall prolapse

OBJECTIVE: To study the anatomic and functional efficacy and assess long-term success of the fascial technique in the repair of rectocele. METHODS: Forty-two women with symptomatic posterior vaginal wall prolapse of at least stage II underwent a surgical repair using the technique of reconstruction of the rectovaginal septum. These women were evaluated at 6 weeks and 18 months postoperatively for anatomic improvement in the grade of their rectocele and a functional improvement in their vaginal, bowel, and sexual symptoms. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent (40 of 42) were assessed at 6 weeks and 78.5% (33 of 42) attended follow-up at 18 months. Preoperative symptoms included 1) vaginal protrusion (78%); 2) defecation symptoms (76%), which included fecal incontinence alone in 9.5%, evacuation difficulties in 57%, and both fecal incontinence and evacuation difficulties in 9.5%; and 3) sexual dysfunction (33%). At 6-week follow-up there was resolution of vaginal protrusion in 87.5%, and bowel symptoms in 87%. At 18 months there was anatomic cure in 92%, improvement in defecation in 81%, and improvement of sexual dysfunction in 35%. No major complications were seen. CONCLUSION: This technique is effective in providing relatively long anatomic cure of the rectocele and resolution of its symptoms.     

Efficacy and outcome of anterior vaginal wall repair using polypropylene mesh (Gynemesh)

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of anterior vaginal wall repair using polypropylene mesh for the correction of anterior vaginal wall prolapse. METHODS: From May 2001 to March 2005, 38 patients with cystoceles or uterine prolapse underwent transvaginal repair with implantation of polypropylene mesh. In all 38 patients anterior vaginal wall repair was done concurrently with other procedures: vaginal hysterectomy, n = 18 (47.4%) and tension-free vaginal tapes n = 22 (57.9%). RESULTS: Preoperatively 26 patients (68.4%) had stage III/IV prolapse on pelvic organ prolapse quantification examination. After mean follow up of 23.4 months, the objective cure rate at 12 and 18 months was 94.5% and 94.3%, respectively. As for complications associated with placement of the polypropylene mesh, no tissue erosion or infection was found. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal implantation of polypropylene mesh is an effective and safe technique for the correction of anterior vaginal wall prolapse.     

Porcine dermal hammock for repair of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse: 5-year outcome

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the long-term efficacy of acellular cross-linked porcine dermal implants for the substitution of prolapsed anterior and posterior endopelvic fascia. In addition, surgical techniques to improve outcome were examined. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Private urogynecology clinic. PATIENTS: Patients were reviewed who had Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification stage 2 or greater anterior and/or posterior pelvic floor defects repaired with porcine dermis from March 2000 through August 2002 with at least 5 years of follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: Repairs consisted of endopelvic fascia implants side wall to side wall from the ischial spine to the vaginal introitus. Different techniques of dissection, wound closure, and tissue pliability were measured. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 91 consecutive patients had endopelvic porcine dermal implants for pelvic organ prolapse. In all, 72 patients with a total of 82 defects had an objective cure rate of 81.6% and 86.4% at 5 years for anterior and posterior repairs, respectively. Concomitant anterior and posterior repairs had a 6 times higher objective failure rate. The method of dissection and mucosal wound closure significantly affected wound healing. Solid porcine implants had decreased tissue pliability. A significant improvement in quality-of-life questionnaires and high patient satisfaction occurred, shown by a visual analog scale. CONCLUSION: Complete replacement of the endopelvic fascia with porcine dermis had a better outcome than reported in many studies using classic plication or plication augmentation repairs. Porcine was well tolerated with high patient satisfaction and improved quality of life. Solid dermal implants resulted in thick scar plates, yet had a low occurrence of de novo dyspareunia and did not appear to adversely affect sexual activity.     

The feasibility, efficacy and functional outcome of local anaesthetic repair of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse

INTRODUCTION: Urogenital prolapse is a very common condition in women with a prevalence of 30%. If conservative therapy fails or is not desired by the patient, prolapse repair is usually performed under general or regional anaesthetic. The aim of the study was to evaluate feasibility, efficacy and functional outcome after fascial prolapse repairs under local anaesthetic (LA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1999 and December 2000, 130 consecutive patients presenting with anterior or posterior prolapse or both were invited to have their procedure performed under LA. All patients with a symptomatic minimum stage II prolapse were included. Prior to surgery all women completed a standardized questionnaire examining the specific and non-specific symptoms of prolapse and their situation was classified using the ICS Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP-Q) system. Follow up was 30 months. Objective success was defined as a stage 1 or less and no symptoms of bulge, subjective success was defined as lack of specific or non-specific symptoms of prolapse. RESULTS: There were 128 patients who agreed to have their operations performed under LA: 68 in the anterior group, 52 in the posterior group and 8 with a combined anterior and posterior repair. Objective cure rate was 88% for posterior repair, 87% for anterior repair and 63% for combined repair. Success rates were no different in primary from recurrent cases. There were no intraoperative complications and operating time was 21 min (anterior repair) or 23 min (posterior repair). There was no de novo postoperative urinary or stool incontinence and all patients but two would have the operation performed again under the same circumstances. The two remaining refused due to embarrassment but for no other reason. CONCLUSION: Local anaesthetic prolapse repair is feasible and effective in middle term results. It is well accepted by the patients who benefit from less side effects and short hospital stay.     

Surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction after dermal, pericardial, and small intestinal submucosal grafting for Peyronie's disease

IntroductionPeyronie's disease, a localized fibrosis of the tunica albuginea surrounding the penile corpora, results in penile curvature and sexual dysfunction. Surgical management involving grafting to straighten the penis is the treatment of choice in conditions unresponsive to conservative therapy where penile length preservation is important.AimTo determine surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction after dermal, pericardial, and small intestinal submucosal grafting for Peyronie's disease.Main Outcome MeasuresThe International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), postoperative self-reports, patient satisfaction, and clinical characteristics were used to measure outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed charts of 36 patients who underwent surgery for Peyronie's disease requiring grafting from 1999 to 2005. Follow-up to subjectively assess outcomes was conducted.ResultsAverage patient age at surgery was 55 ± 1 years. Body mass indexes were similar among all groups. Erectile dysfunction risk factors were comparable with 36% reporting hypertension and 22% hypercholesterolemia. Overall patient follow-up time was 673 ± 98 days. Self-reported resolution of penile curvature was noted in 60% of dermal, 100% of Tutoplast, and 76.9% of Stratasis graft recipients. Stratasis patients maintained presurgery length (54%) and rigidity (77%) more so than dermal (30%, 60%) and Tutoplast (23%, 39%) patients. Assessment of erectile dysfunction using the IIEF-5 captured significant improvements in patients receiving Stratasis grafts (preoperative: 10.1 ± 1.1 vs. postoperative: 17 ± 1.6). Overall, 89% of patients reported satisfaction following surgical intervention.ConclusionsSurgical management of Peyronie's disease results in correction of penile curvatures and high rates of patient satisfaction. Loss of penile length and decreased rigidity occurred to a lesser degree with Stratasis grafts. While detailed informed consent is essential in this patient population, novel materials such as Tutoplast and Stratasis grafts improve outcomes following surgical correction of Peyronie's disease. Kovac JR, and Brock GB. Surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction after dermal, pericardial, and small intestinal submucosal grafting for Peyronie's disease.     

生物补片用于阴道后壁修补术的近期效果初探

目的：初步探讨生物补片用于阴道后壁修补手术的安全性和有效性。方法：2006年1月至5月为阴道后壁膨出6例患者施行生物补片阴道后壁修补术。患者平均年龄55．2岁（40-70岁），体重指数平均27．34（22．60-31．25），POP-Q分度Ⅱ度4例，Ⅲ度2例。结果：6例患者总的手术时间平均65min（30-90min），其中放置补片的平均时间为15min。术中平均出血量60ml（10-100ml）。术后患者平均住院4．7天（3-8天），术中及术后未见并发症。随访6例患者平均15．4个月（14．3-17．9个月），随访时行盆腔检查再次POP-Q分度，结果表明，短期内解剖结构得到较为成功的恢复（Bp点较术前减小，P〈0．05）；并用盆腔器官脱垂-尿失禁患者性生活调查问卷（PISQ）了解患者术后性生活质量，结果表明术后PISQ评分为86．33±8．82，较术前的75．17±13．97上升，虽差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），但提示不影响患者术后性生活的质量。结论：生物补片可用在阴道后壁膨出修补手术中，术后短期随访，解剖结构均恢复达到客观治愈，且不影响患者术后的性生活质量，但有待更多样本、设置对照组及更长时间的观察和研究。     

Morphometric properties of the posterior vaginal wall in women with pelvic organ prolapse

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the morphometric properties of the posterior vaginal wall and compare the smooth muscle distribution in the posterior vaginal muscularis in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: Specimens were taken from the apex of the posterior vaginal wall after hysterectomy from 15 women with pelvic organ prolapse and from 8 healthy control subjects. Smooth muscle cells of the posterior vaginal wall were identified by immunohistochemistry with antibodies to smooth muscle alpha-actin. Morphometric analysis was performed on histologic cross-sections of the posterior vaginal wall to determine the fractional area of nonvascular smooth muscle in the muscularis. The innervation pattern of the vaginal wall was determined by use of S100 immunostaining. Statistical comparisons between two groups were conducted by a Student t test. Comparisons between multiple groups were conducted with a one-way analysis of variance followed by a post-hoc Student-Neuman-Keuls test. RESULTS: The fractional area of nonvascular vaginal smooth muscle in the muscularis of women with posterior wall prolapse was significantly decreased compared with that of healthy control subjects. Nerve bundles were located in the deep vaginal muscularis and adventitia of the posterior vaginal wall. In women with posterior wall prolapse, nerve bundles were smaller and fewer in number. CONCLUSION: Morphologic features of the posterior vaginal wall are significantly altered in women with posterior wall prolapse compared with asymptomatic control subjects.     

Transvaginal repair of enterocele and vaginal vault prolapse using autologous fascia lata graft

BACKGROUND: The aim was to describe the operative technique of transvaginal repair of enterocele and apical prolapse using autologous fascia lata and report intra- and postoperative complications and long-term outcome. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 74 consecutive patients who had repair of a symptomatic enterocele and vaginal vault prolapse or uterine prolapse from January 1987 to August 1999. All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months and 61 were available for long-term evaluation at 18-106 months (median 52 months). RESULTS: Intra- and postoperative complications were few. Pelvic examination at long-term follow-up disclosed a recurrence rate for enterocele of 1.7%, vaginal vault prolapse of 8.3%, and cystocele of 15%. Ninety-one per cent were subjectively satisfied with the relief of mechanical vaginal symptoms. Only 35% (6/17) were cured of constipation. Out of the 22 women who were sexually active after the procedure, 12 (54%) experienced improved quality. CONCLUSION: Repair of the posterior compartment defect and suspension of the vaginal vault using autologous fascia lata graft provides acceptable intra- and postoperative complication and long-term results.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide expression in the vaginal anterior wall of patients with pelvic organ prolapse

ObjectivePerimenopausal women are at high risk for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) diseases. In the present study, the expression of VIP in the vaginal epithelium of 70 perimenopausal women was correlated with the severity of POP with or without SUI.Materials and MethodsSeventy biopsy specimens from the anterior vaginal epithelium were obtained from postmenopausal patients. Immunohistochemical labeling for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed. The VIP innervation was then compared between eight patient groups. Semiquantitative analysis of VIP protein by Western blotting was performed and compared between the eight patient groups.ResultsThe results of the immunohistochemical study showed that the intensity of VIP-immunoreactivity (VIP-ir) in the eight groups was as follows (in decreasing order): Control; POPI; POP II; POP II + SUI; POP III; POP IV and POP III + SUI; and POP IV + SUI. The intensity of VIP-ir was obviously weak and similar among the POP IV, POP III + SUI, and POP IV + SUI groups. This result was validated by the Western blotting analysis. The level of the VIP peptide also deceased in POP patients and was as follows (in decreasing order): Control; POPI; POP II and POP II + SUI; POP III and POP III + SUI; and POP IV and POP IV + SUI.ConclusionThe present study found that reduced VIP innervation in the vaginal epithelium of the perimenopausal women was correlated with the severity of POP with or without SUI.