A three-year prospective assessment of rectocele repair using porcine xenograft

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate clinical outcome of rectocele repair using xenograft 3 years after surgery. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who completed evaluation preoperatively and 1 year after surgery were assessed at a 3-year follow-up. Clinical examination was performed preoperatively, and at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups, with the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system. Symptom assessment was performed with a validated bowel function questionnaire including questions on sexual function. RESULTS: There were no graft-related complications during the 3 years following surgery. Preoperatively, all patients had stage II prolapse of the posterior vaginal wall and a rectocele verified at defecography. At the 1-year follow-up, 11 of 29 patients (38%) had rectocele of stage II or more, and 4 patients were reoperated. At 3-year follow-up 7 of 23 patients (30%) had rectocele of stage II or more. When including the 4 early anatomical recurrences, a total of 11 of 27 patients (41%) had rectocele of stage II or more at 3-year follow-up. Preoperatively, all patients reported varying degrees of rectal emptying difficulties and symptoms of bowel dysfunction. There was a significant decrease in rectal emptying difficulties (P < .01), sense of incomplete evacuation (P < .01), need for manually assisted defecation (P < .05), and symptoms of pelvic heaviness (P < .001) at the 3-year follow-up compared with preoperatively. Cure of rectal emptying difficulties was reported by fewer than 50% of patients. There were no significant changes in anal incontinence scores or symptoms of sexual dysfunction at the 3-year follow-up compared with preoperatively. CONCLUSION: Rectocele repair using porcine dermal graft was associated with an unsatisfactory anatomical cure rate and persistent bowel-emptying difficulties in the majority of patients 3 years postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3.     

Safety and efficacy of low anterior en bloc resection as part of cytoreductive surgery for patients with ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and safety of a low anterior resection of the rectosigmoid plus adjacent pelvic tumour as part of primary cytoreduction for ovarian cancer. METHODS: This study included 65 consecutive patients with primary ovarian cancer who had debulking surgery from 1996 through 2000. All patients underwent an en bloc resection of ovarian cancer and a rectosigmoid resection followed by an end-to-end anastomosis. Parameters for safety and efficacy were considered as primary statistical endpoints for the aim of this analysis. RESULTS: Postoperative residual tumour was nil, <1 cm, and >1 cm in 14, 34, and 14 patients, respectively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 6 to 50 days). Intraoperative complications included an injury to the urinary bladder in one patient. Postoperative complications included wound complications (n = 14, 21.5%), septicemia (n = 9, 13.8%), cardiac complications (n = 7, 10.8%), thromboembolic complications (n = 5, 7.7%), ileus (n = 2, 3.1%), anastomotic leak (n = 2, 3.1%), and fistula (n = 1, 1.5%). Reasons for a reoperation during the same admission included repair of an anastomotic leak (n = 1), postoperative hemorrhage (n = 1), and wound debridement (n = 1). Wound complications, septicemia, and anastomotic leak formation were more frequent in patients who had a serum albumin level of < or =30 g/L preoperatively. There was one surgically related mortality in a patient who died from a cerebral vascular accident 2 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: An en bloc resection as part of primary cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer is effective and its morbidity is acceptably low.     

Site-specific rectocele repair compared with standard posterior colporrhaphy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anatomic and functional outcomes of site-specific rectocele repair and standard posterior colporrhaphy. METHODS: We reviewed charts of all patients who underwent repair of advanced posterior vaginal prolapse in our institution between July 1998 and June 2002 with at least 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: This study comprised 124 consecutive patients following site-specific rectocele repair and 183 consecutive patients following standard posterior colporrhaphy without levator ani plication. Baseline characteristics, including age, body mass index, parity, previous pelvic surgeries, and preoperative prolapse were not significantly different between the 2 study groups. Recurrence of rectocele beyond the midvaginal plane (33% versus 14%, P = .001) and beyond the hymenal ring (11% versus 4%, P = .02), recurrence of a symptomatic bulge (11% versus 4%, P = .02), and postoperative Bp point (-2.2 versus -2.7 cm, P = .001) were significantly higher after the site-specific rectocele repair. Rates of postoperative dyspareunia (16% versus 17%), constipation (37% versus 34%), and fecal incontinence (19% versus 18%) were not significantly different between the 2 study groups. CONCLUSION: Site-specific rectocele repair is associated with higher anatomic recurrence rates and similar rates of dyspareunia and bowel symptoms than standard posterior colporrhaphy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3.     

Posterior IVS: feasibility and preliminary results in a continuous series of 108 cases

OBJECTIVE: We present a continuous series of 108 patients operated for genital prolapse by vaginal route using the Posterior Intravaginal Slingplasty (PIVS) technique (IVS 02 Tyco Healthcare, polypropylene multifilament band), associated to prosthetic repair of cystocele and/or rectocele if present by interposition of a mesh (Surgipro Mesh Tyco Healthcare). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria were C and/or D point superior to -1 cm. The main criterion is the assessment of feasibility, morbidity and anatomical results obtained for the treatment of level 1 genital prolapse with an average follow-up of 19 months. The secondary criterion is to assess the same elements for the treatment of associated cystocele and rectocele. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients presented with a cystocele (Ba>-1 cm) and eighty-seven with a rectocele (Bp>-1 cm). Nineteen patients had a hysterectomy, twenty had amputation of the cervix and forty-nine were treated for stress urinary incontinence by anterior IVS. Perioperative complications consisted of seven bladder injuries, one injury to the lower rectum during dissection. Postoperative complications were: a loss more than 2 g haemoglobin for seven patients, two haematomas in the cave of Retzius, one haematoma of the pararectal fossa with secondary superinfection requiring mesh removal. Three erosions occurred: two in front of the vesicovaginal prosthesis and one in front of the recto-vaginal prosthesis. The latter became secondarily super infected and had to be removed. With regard to the anatomical result, one failure was noted for the Posterior IVS excluding the two patients in whom the prosthetic material had to be removed. For the anterior compartment, eight failures occurred. From a functional perspective, we noted one case of dyspareunia due to fibrous retraction and seven patients complained of de novo stress urinary incontinence and eight of moderate voiding obstruction. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The technical feasibility is excellent. Feasibility of level 2 repair, anterior or posterior, but results on cystocele are insufficient in case of lateral defect.     

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as Adjunctive Treatment for Postoperative Cellulitis Involving Intrapelvic Mesh

Placement of intrapelvic mesh has become an integral tool in pelvic reconstructive surgery. Infection is a serious complication of mesh placement, which not only compromises the surgical objective, but also may be disfiguring or potentially lethal. We report a case of serious postoperative cellulitis, where the combination of antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen contributed to the patient's recovery with complete preservation of her surgical repair. A 45-year-old woman underwent surgery for the treatment of cystocele, rectocele, and stress urinary incontinence. Surgical polypropylene and porcine acellular mesh was placed intraoperatively, and intravenous antibiotics were given preoperatively and postoperatively, followed by a course of oral prophylaxis. On postoperative day 8 the patient reported temperature elevation and a painful swelling in her left buttock. She had an area of cellulitis involving the operative site at the buttock extending anteriorly to the labia majora and posterior to the midgluteal area. Intravenous antibiotics were administered along with hyperbaric oxygen. The patient made an uneventful recovery during the following 9 days, preserving her repair. Cellulitis involving operative sites with artificial or naturally derived materials is a serious complication that may pose a threat to the repair at minimum, and may be life threatening at worst. The case reported illustrates the value of adjunctive hyperbaric therapy where the infection is presumed to be aggressive.     

Rectocele repair using biomaterial augmentation: current documentation and clinical experience

Although the etiology of rectocele remains debated, surgical innovations are currently promoted to improve anatomic outcome while avoiding dyspareunia and alleviating rectal emptying difficulties following rectocele surgery. Use of biomaterials in rectocele repair has become widespread in a short time, but the clinical documentation of their effectiveness and complications is limited. Medline and the Cochrane database were searched electronically from 1964 to May 2005 using the Pubmed and Ovid search engines. All English language publications including any of the search terms "rectocele," "implant," "mesh," "biomaterial," "prolapse," "synthetical," "pelvic floor," "biological," and "compatibility" were reviewed. This review outlines the basic principles for use of biomaterials in pelvic reconstructive surgery and provides a condensation of peer-reviewed articles describing clinical use of biomaterials in rectocele surgery. Historical and new concepts in rectocele surgery are discussed. Factors of importance for human in vivo biomaterial compatibility are presented together with current knowledge from clinical studies. Potential risks and problems associated with the use of biomaterials in rectocele and pelvic reconstructive surgery in general are described. Although use of biomaterials in rectocele and other pelvic organ prolapse surgery offers exciting possibilities, it raises treatment costs and may be associated with unknown and potentially severe complications at short and long term. Clinical benefits are currently unknown and need to be proven in clinical studies. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Target Audience: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to explain that the objective of surgical treatment is to improve anatomic outcome and alleviate rectal emptying difficulties, describe the efficacy of biomaterials in rectocele repair, and summarize the potential risks and problems associated with use of biomaterials in rectocele and pelvic reconstructive surgery.     

Properitoneal synthetic mesh repair of recurrent inguinal hernias.

Safe reconstruction of the inguinal floor is the goal of any operation for repair of groin herniation. Operating in the properitoneal space avoids dissection of the scarred cord, and the incidence of testicular complications is markedly lowered. This study reports our experience with placing synthetic mesh between the peritoneum and the deficient inguinal floor for the repair of recurrent hernias of the groin area. During a five year period, 84 men underwent repair of 100 recurrent inguinal hernias using the properitoneal approach. Fifty-four patients had repair of a unilateral recurrent hernia, 16 had repair of a bilateral recurrent hernia and 14 had repair of both a recurrent hernia and a contralateral primary hernia. Postoperative complications occurred in six patients. No testicular complications were observed. Postoperative follow-up study ranged from six months to five years. There were only three recurrent hernias after this repair. All occurred within the first six months postoperatively. The properitoneal approach for repair of recurrent groin hernias using prosthetic mesh safely creates a new "fascia transversalis" with a low rate of recurrence and effectively eliminates testicular complications.     

丝蛋白涂层轻质聚丙烯网片对兔腹壁疝模型组织学反应的影响

目的:探讨宿主对有丝蛋白涂层和无丝蛋白涂层的2种不同轻质聚丙烯网片组织学反应的差别。方法:2种聚丙烯网片(Gynemesh网片和法国G819P网片)的有丝蛋白涂层和无丝蛋白涂层网片各6片,共计24片,裁剪为30 mm×30 mm大小。6只新西兰大白兔,每只均制作6个腹壁缺损,并分别植入有丝蛋白和无丝蛋白涂层Gy-nemesh誖网片和有丝蛋白和无丝蛋白涂层G819P网片各1片,另2个腹壁缺损作为空白对照。植入后30,60和90 d时各处死2只动物,取出包括网片在内的腹壁全层,做大体观察、组织学观察以及免疫组化研究,包括炎症、纤维化反应、网片周围血管化反应以及胶原形成等。结果:所有网片均未发生侵蚀。有丝蛋白涂层网片组炎症反应和纤维化反应较轻,网片与组织融合良好。无涂层组可见少量的凋亡和坏死。结论:有丝蛋白涂层聚丙烯网片引起实验动物的组织学反应较轻,可以降低早期炎症反应和纤维化程度,减少组织粘连,降低网片相关并发症的产生。     

Sacrocolpopexy for vault prolapse and rectocele: do concomitant Burch colposuspension and perineal mesh detachment affect the outcome?

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the effect of abdominal sacrocolpopexy with posterior Teflon mesh interposition with and without concomitant Burch colposuspension on the posterior compartment. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective review includes 49 consecutive women who underwent sacrocolpopexy for vault or uterine prolapse stage 2 or higher and rectocele; 25 of them had a concomitant Burch colposuspension for urodynamic stress incontinence. Postoperative bladder, bowel and sexual function and recurrent pelvic organ prolapse was assessed at > or =12 months. RESULTS: There was no recurrent vault prolapse. Rectoceles (stage 2) recurred in 5 women (21%) without and in 8 women (36%) with Burch colposuspension ( P > .05). The mesh became detached by >2 cm from its perineal position in 30% of the cases, which was associated with excessive defecation straining ( P = .04). Rectocele stages significantly correlated with mesh detachment ( P > .001) but not with obstructed defecation ( P > .05). CONCLUSION: Sacrocolpopexy was effective if the mesh did not become detached from its perineal position. Concomitant Burch colposuspension did not seem to affect the posterior compartment adversely in this small case series.     

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with two separate meshes along the anterior and posterior vaginal walls for multicompartment pelvic organ prolapse

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and results of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) with two separate meshes along the anterior and posterior vaginal walls in correcting multicompartment pelvic organ prolapse (POP). DESIGN: Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Tertiary care university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Forty-six consecutive women with radiologic diagnosis of multicompartment POP with or without genuine stress urinary incontinence and no history of surgery for either disorder. INTERVENTION: LSC with or without laparoscopic Burch colposuspension or tension-free vaginal tape procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: LSC was performed in 89% of patients. Mean operating and hospitalization times were 171 +/- 37 minutes and 4.0 +/- 2.1 days, respectively. Intraoperative complications were 7% of bladder injuries successfully treated by laparoscopic suture. The success rate for POP was 83%. The main recurrence was rectocele (12%), which occurred only among women undergoing LSC plus laparoscopic Burch colposuspension (P = 0.036). The LSC was effective in treating symptoms in 95% of women. Because of excessive mesh tension, one patient (2%) developed obstructed defecation, and two (5%) had de novo urinary incontinence. In no patient did occlusion or mesh infection and/or erosion in adjacent organs occur. CONCLUSION: LSC appears to be feasible and effective in treatment of multicompartment POP. Performing concomitant Burch colposuspension significantly enhances the risk of rectocele recurrence or development.     

Subcutaneous drainage versus no drainage after minilaparotomy in gynecologic benign conditions: a randomized study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of subcutaneous drainage in patients who are affected by benign gynecologic diseases that are treated by a Kustner's minilaparotomy incision. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a randomized controlled study with 72 patients who underwent operation for benign gynecologic disease. Patients were assigned intraoperatively to two groups: group A (36 patients) had a closed drainage system and group B (36 patients) had no drainage. Historic data, clinical and surgical characteristics, and perioperative complications were recorded prospectively. Postoperative care data, surgical incision complications, and hospital stay were analyzed. Patients were to be seen 4 weeks after the operation to assess wound healing. RESULTS: No patients had intraoperative complications or blood transfusions. A significant difference was observed between the drainage versus no-drainage groups regarding postoperative complications and hospital stay (P =.001, both groups). No patients had surgical complications at 4 weeks after the last operation. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that routine prophylactic subcutaneous drainage is indicated in patients who undergo Kustner's minilaparotomy incision for benign gynecologic operation. Drains significantly prevent wound complications and reduce hospital stay.     

猪小肠黏膜下层补片植入兔膀胱阴道间隙的转归研究

目的观察猪小肠黏膜下层(SIS)补片植入兔膀胱阴道间隙的转归,探讨SIS补片在妇科盆底手术中的应用价值。方法以家兔作为动物模型,16只雌性家兔随机(抽签法)分为4组,即7 d组、30 d组、90 d组和180 d组,每组4只家兔。4组家兔均通过手术方式于膀胱阴道间隙内植入SIS补片,分别于术后7、30、90、180 d处死各组家兔,并同时整块取出补片及其周围的膀胱阴道组织。标本均制成蜡块后切片,采用HE染色观察补片内部及周围组织产生的形态学变化,采用Masson染色观察补片组织内胶原形态和数量的变化。结果(1)HE染色后光镜下观察,7 d组SIS补片周围可见大量以嗜酸性粒细胞和淋巴细胞为主的炎性细胞浸润,并可见新生血管形成;30 d组炎性细胞浸润区域进一步增大;90 d组炎性细胞浸润区域明显缩小;180天组炎性反应基本消退。(2)Masson染色后光镜下观察,7 d组4只家兔SIS补片胶原结构清晰,保留完整;30 d组4只家兔SIS补片已有部分降解,但仍可见SIS胶原结构;90 d组有2只家兔尚可见少量残留SIS碎片结构,另2只家兔的SIS补片已被完全降解;180 d组4只家兔的SIS补片均被完全降解,其中1只家兔似可见部分有排序的胶原结构。结论SIS补片植入兔膀胱阴道间隙后可导致一过性的非感染性炎症反应,植入180 d后可被完全降解并有少量新生胶原结构产生。SIS补片用于盆底重建手术需谨慎。     

Quoi de neuf depuis le rapport de la HAS ? Bilan de deux ans d’évaluation des implants de renfort prothétique dans le traitement des prolapsus par voie vaginale

The French Health Authorities' (HAS) report of November 2006 concluded that the use of mesh at the time of transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) should be limited to clinical research. This review intends to analyse and comment the recent data on this topic. A review on PubMed, on a personal database and actualisation until May 2008 has been performed choosing French or English language series concerning prolapse surgery with mesh disposed by the vaginal route. It includes six randomised controlled trials comparing transvaginal repair of POP with or without mesh: four about cystocele, one about rectocele and one about apical prolapse. Both surgical techniques and recurrence criteria are poorly standardised. The four randomised trials focusing on cystocele repair support the anatomical superiority of techniques using mesh, with similar functional results with or without mesh reinforcement. In the other indications, the results remain unclear or controversial. According to the randomised trials, the complications rate, except mesh exposure, is similar with and without mesh. However there are some specific complications when using mesh, such as mesh infection, mesh exposure or shrinkage and visceral extrusion. We recommend using vaginal reinforcement mesh with specific care in selected patients and we suggest some guidelines to be proposed for consensus at concerned French scientific societies.     

Laparoscopic burch colposuspension: comparison of effectiveness of extraperitoneal and transperitoneal techniques

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two different laparoscopic colposuspension procedures: extraperitoneal approach using mesh fixed with tacks, and transperitoneal approach using sutures. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients (n = 64) who had undergone two different techniques of laparoscopic Burch colposuspension without additional surgeries over a 6-year period. Thirty-six women underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal colposuspension with using nonabsorbable sutures (group A), whereas 28 women underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal colposuspension with using mesh and preperitoneal balloon dissection technique (group B). Cure rate was assessed by simple cystometry with a cough stress test in the standing position. Both groups were compared with regard to cure rates, operative time, length of hospital stay, complications, estimated blood loss, and total hospital charges. RESULTS: The mean times to follow-up were 25.7 months in the group A and 27.3 months in the group B (P = 0.082). At last follow-up, 33 of 36 (91.7%) patients in the group A and 23 of 28 (82.1%) patients in the group B were continent (P = 0.22). The other results were as follows for group A and B, respectively: average duration of surgery, 58.1 compared with 46.8 min (P = 0.001); average hospital stay, 2.05 compared with 1.57 days (P = 0.02); the intraoperative complication rate, 8.3% compared with 7.1% (P = 0.62). The total hospital charges for the group B were found significantly higher (US dollars 2,234 versus US dollars 1,348, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although we found higher cure rates in laparoscopic colposuspension with the transperitoneal approach using sutures than the extraperitoneal approach using mesh fixed with tacks, there was no statistically significant difference between the two procedures. In comparison with extraperitoneal mesh technique, lower cost is the superiority of the transperitoneal suture technique.     

Postoperative pulmonary complications after gynecologic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the frequency of, and risks for postoperative pulmonary complications after surgery for non-malignant gynecologic disorders. METHOD: A retrospective component included medical record data for one year. A prospective component enrolled 300 patients consecutively who were scheduled for gynecologic surgeries. RESULT: Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 1.22% of 328 open abdominal procedures in the retrospective study, and 2.16% of 232 in the prospective study. Pooling the data yielded a frequency estimate of 1.61%. Mean hospital length of stay (pooled data) increased 1.75 days in those with postoperative pulmonary complications. Smoking was the only significant risk factor (relative risk=3.9 using pooled data). CONCLUSION: Postoperative pulmonary complications after surgery for non-malignant gynecologic disorders are infrequent but increase hospital length of stay. Smokers are at increased risk.     

Tension-free vaginal tape sling with a porcine interposition graft in an irradiated patient with a past history of a urethrovaginal fistula and urethral mesh erosion: a case report

BACKGROUND: Patients with previous irradiation are at high risk for complications following pelvic reconstructive surgery. The treatment of these complications and the patient's initial disorder can be complex and difficult, especially when the use of various graft materials, including mesh, is involved in the original complication. CASE: A 49-year-old woman with a history of anal and vulvar cancer treated with pelvic irradiation underwent a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) sling for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and experienced complications of urethral mesh erosion and urethrovaginal fistula (UVF). The mesh was removed and the urethra repaired, but the repair failed, and she continued to have a persistent UVF. The patient presented to our center, and the UVF was repaired successfully with a Martius flap. Secondary to persistent SUI with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), the patient underwent a repeat TVT sling with a porcine interposition graft between the mesh and urethra to help prevent urethral mesh erosion. The patient healed without complications and achieved 80% improvement in her symptoms at 3 months, with only occasional SUI. She was eventually able to achieve 100% cure with the addition of periurethral collagen injections. CONCLUSION: Porcine interposition grafts while constructing a TVT sling may help reduce urethral erosion rates in patients with previous irradiation.     

Preoperative platelet count as index of the grading in endometrial carcinoma

AIM: To investigate a possible relationship between preoperative platelet count and following clinicopathological variables of the endometrial carcinoma: age, stage, histological type, histological grading (G), myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, cervical involvement, lymph node metastasis. In particular the existence of a possible relationship between elevated preoperative platelet count (=or>300 000 microL) and negative prognostic factors. METHODS: The authors analyzed retrospectively 120 patients with endometrial carcinoma underwent to surgery as the initial treatment. All the patients were subjected to radical surgical procedure: peritoneal cytology, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy and omentectomy. Blood platelet count was taken from the patients three days prior to the surgery. RESULTS: The patients with platelet count<300000/microL whom they had a G1, G2, G3 they were respectively the 23.1%, 44.2% and 32.7% versus the 0%, 12.5% and 87.5%, respectively for G1, G2, G3, of the patients with platelet count>300000/microL (P=0.024). Only considering the patients to the stage I of the Federazione Internazionale dei Ginecologi ed Ostetrici (FIGO). The patients with platelet count<300000/microL whom they had a G1, G2, G3 they were respectively the 27.3%, 43.2% and 29.5% versus the 0%, 0% and 100%, respectively for G1, G2, G3, of the patients with platelet count=or>300000/microL (P=0.008). There were no differences respect to age, stage, histological type, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space involvement and cervical involvement. CONCLUSION: Elevated preoperative platelet count, in the patients with endometrial carcinoma, may reflect poor prognostic factor such as higher histological grade. This study allowed to observe: a significant correlation between elevated preoperative platelet count (=or>300000/microL) and tumoral grading (G3) of general population submitted to study; for the patients to the stage I FIGO a more significant correlation between elevated preoperative platelet count (=or>300000/microL) and tumoral grading: the 100% of the patients with platelet count=or>300 000/microL had a histological grading G3.     

Prospective Follow‐Up of Female Sexual Function after Vaginal Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Using Transobturator Mesh Implants

IntroductionAlthough the use of transobturator mesh implants for pelvic organ prolapse repair has been shown to be safe and effective, concern exists that the presence of prosthetic material in the vagina may adversely affect sexual function.AimTo evaluate the impact of transobturator mesh implantation on sexual function using validated questionnaire.Main Outcome MeasuresFemale Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a validated 19‐item questionnaire that assesses six domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain), was used. The questionnaire was administered preoperatively, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Clinical data were also recorded at each time point.MethodsProspective nonrandomized study including 96 women with pelvic organ prolapse (cystocele, rectocele, vault prolapse). Transvaginal anterior or posterior wall repair using transobturator mesh implants with or without concomitant transobturator sling procedure.ResultsMean age was 51.4 ± 5.2 years. Mean operating time was 47.6 ± 23.4 minutes, and the mean hospitalization period was 3.8 ± 1.6 days. After initial decrease during the first 3 months, patients experienced a steady improvement in their sexual function. At 24 months postoperatively, the total mean FSFI score reached significantly higher values compared to the baseline (P = 0.023). Furthermore, pain‐free intercourse improved during the follow‐up reaching mean score of 4.27 ± 0.79 (P < 0.05) after 2 years. Pelvic floor examination at 2 years follow‐up showed excellent surgical results with only 3.1% of the patients presenting with stage II vaginal wall prolapse.ConclusionsSurgical repair of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse using mesh implants results in improvement of major parameters of sexual function. A worsening in pain with intercourse during the initial months postoperatively lessens after 3 months as healing is completed. Hoda MR, Wagner S, Greco F, Heynemann H, and Fornara P. Prospective follow‐up of female sexual function after vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse using transobturator mesh implants.     

A randomised trial comparing open Burch colposuspension using sutures with laparoscopic colposuspension using mesh and staples in women with stress urinary incontinence

OBJECTIVE: To compare open Burch colposuspension using sutures with laparoscopic colposuspension using mesh and staples in women with stress urinary incontinence. DESIGN: Multicentre, prospective randomised trial. SETTING: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, G?teborg, Bor?s County Hospital and Orebro University Hospital, Sweden. POPULATION: Women with genuine stress urinary incontinence or mixed incontinence with a predominantly stress component were included, and were randomised to either open colposuspension (n= 120) or laparoscopic colposuspension (n= 120). METHODS: Women were randomised to open colposuspension with sutures or laparoscopic colposuspension with polypropylene mesh and staples. Anaesthesia/operation time, blood loss, complications and other related surgical parameters were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Objective and subjective cure rates from 48-hour frequency-volume chart, a 48-hour pad test and a subjective assessment of the woman's incontinence and quality of life performed one year after surgery. RESULTS: Objective and subjective cure rates were higher after open compared with laparoscopic colposuspension (P < 0.001). Quality of life was improved following surgery in both groups (P < 0.0001) and the improvement was significantly greater in the open colposuspension group (P < 0.05) with regard to physical activity. Performing an open colposuspension was less time consuming (P < 0.0001), resulted in more blood loss (P < 0.0001), longer catheterisation time (P < 0.01), greater risk of urinary retention (P < 0.01) and a longer hospital stay (P < 0.0001) compared with performing a laparoscopic colposuspension. The rate of serious complications was low in both groups. CONCLUSION: Open colposuspension had a higher objective and subjective cure rate one year after surgery but with a greater blood loss, greater risk of urinary retention and a longer hospital stay than laparoscopic colposuspension.     

Substantial variability in postoperative treatment, and convalescence recommendations following vaginal repair. A nationwide questionnaire study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative care and convalescence recommendations following vaginal surgery are generally not evidence based. The aim of this study was to describe pre and postoperative treatment, and advice and restrictions for the convalescence period, given by Danish hospital-employed gynecologists, and gynecologists in private practice, to patients undergoing vaginal repair. METHOD: In 1999 all Danish gynecologists (n=433) received a tested questionnaire about postoperative treatment and convalescence recommendations following vaginal repair. Non-responders received one reminder. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre and postoperative treatment, and expected hospital stay. Furthermore, lifting restrictions, sick leave, and convalescence before resumption of defined activities. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 82%. The expected postoperative hospital stay was median 3 days (range, 1-7) following anterior repair, and 2 days (range, 1-7) following posterior repair. The recommended sick leave was median 6 weeks (range, 2-12) for patients with work with heavy lifts. There were substantial differences in recommendations. Recommended lifting restrictions were median 3 kg (range, 0-20) for median 4 weeks (range, 1-12), and the recommended time till recommencement of sexual intercourse was median 4 weeks (range, 0-12). The recommended convalescence was median 4-5 weeks for strenuous activities, and median 1-2 weeks for non-strenuous activities, with ranges from 0-24 weeks. The overall, great variance could not be explained by demographic differences between gynecologists. CONCLUSION: Postoperative treatment, and convalescence recommendations given by Danish gynecologists following vaginal repair, show substantial variability and are based on individual viewpoints. Evidence based guidelines and consensus are desirable.