Transvaginal levator myorrhaphy for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair

Introduction and hypothesis

Posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair represents a surgical challenge. Surgical management can be successfully achieved with native-tissue repair through levator myorrhaphy. Despite low morbidity, levator myorrhaphy is not a common procedure. The aim of the video is to provide anatomic views and surgical steps necessary to achieve a successful transvaginal levator myorrhaphy for vaginal vault prolapse repair.

Methods

A 72-year-old woman with symptomatic stage IV vaginal vault prolapse was admitted for transvaginal levator myorrhaphy according to the described technique.

Results

Surgical repair was successfully achieved without complications. The final examination revealed good apical support and preservation of vaginal length. This step-by-step video tutorial may represent an important tool to improve surgical know how.

Conclusions

Transvaginal levator myorrhaphy provides an alternative technique for apical support without using prosthetic materials. This technique can be indicated when abdominal approach or synthetic device are not recommended or when peritoneum opening may be challenging. However, due to its possible constricting effect, it should be reserved to sexually inactive patients.

     

Transvaginal uterosacral ligament suspension for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair

Introduction and hypothesis

Posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair represents a challenge for urogynecologists. Surgical management can be successfully achieved with native tissue using a vaginal approach with uterosacral ligament (USL) suspension. However, severe complications have been described, mainly related to ureteral injury.

Methods

A 57-year-old woman with symptomatic stage 2 vaginal vault prolapse underwent transvaginal USL suspension according to the described technique.

Results

Surgical procedure was successfully achieved without complications. Final examination revealed excellent apical support and preservation of vaginal length. However, ureteral damage represents the major pitfall of USL suspension. This step-by-step video tutorial may represent an important tool to improve surgical know how and minimize the risk of ureteral injury.

Conclusion

Transvaginal USL suspension provides an effective technique for apical support without the use of prosthetic materials. Intimate understanding of pelvic anatomy, direct visualization of ureter, and proper suture positioning are the key points to minimize the risk of complications.

     

Sacrocolpopexy for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse: long-term follow-up

Introduction and hypothesis

Abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) is considered the gold standard for vaginal vault prolapse (VVP) repair. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term durability of its anatomic and functional results.

Methods

This was a prospective series of women undergoing ASC for symptomatic VVP stage III or IV according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system. All patients were followed up every 3 months for the first postoperative year and then annually for anatomical and functional outcomes and complications. Only patients with at least 48 months of follow-up were included in this report. Anatomic success was defined as postoperative prolapse stage 0 or I. Statistical analysis was performed using the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test for the analysis of continuous variables and the McNemar and χ² test for categorical data.

Results

Sixty-seven women were followed up for a median of 60 months (range 48–144). Anatomical success was 100 % for apical prolapse and 94 and 91 % for anterior and posterior compartments, respectively. There were only four (6 %) and six (9 %) cases of stage II persistence or recurrence for the anterior and posterior compartments, respectively, which did not require reoperation. There was no vault prolapse recurrence. Voiding and storage urinary and sexual symptoms were significantly improved. Anorectal dysfunction symptoms persisted in 40.6 % of patients with these symptoms preoperatively and developed de novo in 22.8 % of patients without them preoperatively. Three mesh exposures were noted. Sixty-three patients (94 %) were extremely or very much improved with sacrocolpopexy according to the Patient Global Impression–Improvement scale.

Conclusions

Our data confirm the long-term durability of vaginal vault prolapse repair with ASC.

     

Bilateral extraperitoneal uterosacral suspension: a new approach to correct posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

Restoration of apical vaginal support remains a challenging problem for the pelvic reconstructive surgeon. The transvaginal use of the uterosacral-cardinal ligament complex is gaining increasing popularity in the surgical treatment of uterovaginal and posthysterectomy vault prolapse. We describe an extraperitoneal surgical approach using this ligamentous complex to reattach the vaginal apex in women with posthysterectomy vault prolapse and report our surgical experience with this procedure in 123 women over 5 years. The relevant anatomy related to the procedure and risk of ureteric injury with uterosacral suspension is also reviewed. Extraperitoneal vault suspension can be combined with the use of polypropylene mesh if required. The extraperitoneal approach is an alternative procedure in women with vault prolapse with or without concomitant enterocele or where access to the Pouch of Douglas is difficult particularly after previous pelvic surgery. We believe this procedure to have less risk of ureteral injury than the intraperitoneal approach.     

Operative technique for the repair of posthysterectomy vaginal prolapse

The operative technique of our own modified sacral colpopexy with a fascial strip for the repair of posthysterectomy vaginal prolapse is described. The complete removal of the enterocele is important. The fascial strip remains extraperitoneal. Only absorbable sutures have been used. Excellent vaginal support was achieved in all cases operated on with the method described. Possible cystocele and rectocele must be corrected separately prior to sacral colpopexy.     

Overt rectal prolapse following repair of stage IV vaginal vault prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is an increasingly common problem as women are living longer. With the growing numbers of surgeries performed to correct this problem, further research is needed to understand the long-term success as well as possible complications of these procedures. One potential complication that needs further study is de novo rectal prolapse after repair of pelvic organ prolapse, specifically after colpocleisis. Defacography may be an important part of the preoperative workup in the patient with pelvic organ prolapse. Currently, there is a controversy as to whether internal, or occult, rectal prolapse on defacography should be repaired at the time of other pelvic reconstructive surgery. We report on a case of overt rectal prolapse after repair of Stage IV vaginal vault prolapse with a colpocleisis, levator ani plication, and a minimally invasive midurethral sling. We discuss the issues surrounding preoperative management of these patients and propose a theory explaining why prolapse in other areas of the pelvis may occur after reconstructive surgery.     

Trocar-guided total tension-free vaginal mesh repair of post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis  

The objective of this study was to report 1 year anatomical and functional outcomes of trocar-guided total tension-free vaginal mesh (Prolift™) repair for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse with one continuous piece of polypropylene mesh.     

Rectus fascia colpopexy in posthysterectomy vaginal prolapse: Analysis of 18 cases

Posthysterectomy prolapse of the vaginal vault is a complicated and uncommon occurrence in gynecology. The treatment is surgical and may be either vaginal or abdominal. The great variety of techniques described indicates that there is disagreement about the ideal route or technique to be used. The authors present their experience in surgical correction using colpopexy with rectus abdominal muscle fascia.Editorial Comment: This surgical procedure was originally described by Te Linde in 1962 and later modified by Alves de Lima and Valente. The value of this study is in the relatively long follow-up of 3 years. The authors document minimal complications and good results. It is actually surprising that they did not see postprocedure enteroceles owing to the markedly anterior placement of the vaginal axis.     

Management of vaginal vault prolapse repair with robotically-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

Transabdominal sacrocolpopexy offers an excellent definitive treatment option for patients with high grade vaginal vault prolapse with long-term success rates ranging from 93-99%. However, because it is a transabdominal procedure it is associated with increased morbidity compared with vaginal repairs. We describe a novel minimally invasive technique of vaginal vault prolapse repair and present out initial experience. The surgical technique involves placement of five laparoscopic ports: three for the Da Vinci robot and two for the assistant. A polypropylene mesh is then attached to the sacral promontory and to the vaginal apex using Gortex sutures. At the end of the case, the mesh material is the covered by the peritoneum. We also present our initial experience with this technique in 18 consecutive patients. The analysis focused on complications, urinary continence, patient satisfaction, and morbidity. Follow-up was conducted by provider-patient interview. Twenty-five patients underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institution in the past 24 months for severe symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse. 10/25 (40%) underwent a concomitant anti-incontinence procedure. Mean follow-up was 5. (1-12) months and mean age was 66 (47-82) years. Mean total operative time was 3.2 (2.25-4.75) hours. One patient had to be converted to an open procedure secondary to unfavorable anatomy. All but one patient were discharged from the hospital after an overnight stay; one patient left on postoperative day #2. Complications were limited to mild port site infections in two patients, which resolved with oral antibiotic therapy. One patient developed recurrent grade 3 rectocele, but had no evidence of cystocele or enterocele. We present a novel technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair that combines the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the decreased morbidity and improved cosmesis of laparoscopic surgery. It is associated with decreased hospital stay, low complication and conversion rates, and high patient satisfaction. While our early experience is encouraging, long-term data is needed to confirm these findings and establish longevity of the repair.     

Treatment of vaginal vault prolapse with abdominal sacral colpopexy using prolene mesh

BACKGROUND: We report our experience of abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) with a prolene mesh in women with total vaginal vault prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1994 to 1997, 15 patients (average age 57 years), underwent ASC. All the patients suffered from a serious vaginal vault prolapse. Eight of them also had a uterine prolapse. Seven patients had already been operated on for hysterectomy (5 vaginal, 2 abdominal), and 4 of them had already undergone an operation for urinary incontinence (3 Raz, 1 Burch). In 6 cases ASC was associated with a colposuspension in accordance with Burch. Average follow-up was 20 months. RESULTS: All the patients carried a bladder catheter for 4 to 12 days (mean 5). The 11 patients who were sexually active began having normal sexual intercourse again. Neither relapses of the treated prolapses nor infection or rejections of the prostheses occurred. In 1 patient frequent micturition unresponsive to anticholinergics persisted. Four patients presented with hypogastric "sense of heaviness," with no clinical evidence of any pathology. CONCLUSION: ASC with a prolene net is confirmed as the most valid technique, with no complications, in the treatment of total vaginal vault prolapse, above all when there is also the need for other operations via the abdomen at the same time (colposuspension, culdoplasty, and so forth), or when the vagina is too short to fix the sacrospinal ligament transvaginally.     

An estimation of the frequency of surgery for posthysterectomy vault prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis

We tried to estimate the frequency of surgery for posthysterectomy vault prolapse.

Methods

We contacted all 86 departments of gynecology in Austria and asked them about total number of hysterectomies and total number of operations for vault prolapse. We then calculated a percentage of patients undergoing surgery for posthysterectomy vault prolapse.

Results

Sixty-five of 86 public hospitals replied (response rate 76%) and reported a total of 7,645 hysterectomies and 577 operations for vault prolapse for the year 2005, giving a percentage of 7.16 for surgery for posthysterectomy vault prolapse. On the assumption that vault prolapse takes on the average 10 years to develop and that the number of hysterectomies decreased by 10% over 10 years, we calculated a modified frequency of 6.52%.

Conclusions

We were able to calculate an estimation of the frequency for posthysterectomy vault prolapse requiring surgical repair between 6% and 8%.     

Incidence rate and risk factors for vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy

Our objective was to estimate the incidence and identify the risk factors for vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy. We conducted a case control study among 6,214 women who underwent hysterectomy from 1982 to 2002. Cases (n = 32) were women who required vaginal vault suspension following the hysterectomy through December 2005. Controls (n = 236) were women, randomly selected from the same cohort, who did not require pelvic organ prolapse surgery. The incidence of vaginal vault prolapse repair was 0.36 per 1,000 women-years. The cumulative incidence was 0.5%. Risk factors included preoperative prolapse (odds ratio (OR) 6.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–28.4) and sexual activity (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0–1.5). Vaginal hysterectomy was not a risk factor when preoperative prolapse was taken into account (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.5–1.8).Vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy is an infrequent event and is due to preexisting weakness of pelvic tissues.     

Comparison of laparoscopic and abdominal sacrocolpopexy for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSCP) offers a minimally invasive treatment for vaginal vault prolapse. We describe the surgical technique and offer insight into the learning curve. In addition, we performed a case series review comparing the laparoscopic procedure with its open surgical counterpart with respect to various demographic and perioperative parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Institutional Review Board-approved continence database at our institution was queried to identify all patients undergoing sacrocolpopexy between August 1999 and October 2004. The LSCP was performed in 25 patients, and open abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASCP) was performed in 22 patients. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the demographic characteristics of the patients undergoing the two approaches. The mean estimated blood loss (P = 0.0002) and mean length of hospitalization (P < 0.0001) were significantly less for LSCP, whereas the operative time was significantly longer (219.9 minutes v 185.2 minutes; P = 0.045). The success rate for LSCP at 5.9 months was 100%; the ASCP success rate at 11.0 months was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy led to shorter hospitalization, better hemostasis, and less pain than the open procedure. Early follow-up suggests that LSCP is as effective as ASCP for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse.     

Vaginal vault prolapse: Evaluation and repair

The prevalence of pelvic prolapse should continue to increase as our population ages. With the increased prevalence will come a greater need to evaluate and treat women with symptomatic prolapse. This review focuses on prolapse of the vaginal vault and discusses the evaluation and surgical therapies including vaginal, abdominal, and laparoscopic approaches.     

Laparoscopic techniques for the repair of vaginal vault prolapse: Determining if less is more

Repair of vaginal vault prolapse remains a surgical challenge. Abdominal, vaginal, and combined procedures have been described. The ideal operation remains elusive with regard to outcomes, morbidity, and economics. As an extension of the abdominal approach, laparoscopy continues to gain favor as an access method and as a surgical advancement. Recent studies highlight a number of laparoscopic techniques for restoration of apical support that demonstrate feasibility and encouraging results. Further study is necessary to determine if the minimally invasive nature of laparoscopy can duplicate or surpass standard abdominal and vaginal approaches to the repair of pelvic organ prolapse.     

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy compared with open abdominal sacrocolpopexy for vault prolapse repair: a randomised controlled trial

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to evaluate the functional outcome after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy versus open sacrocolpopexy in women with vault prolapse.

Methods

A multicentre randomised controlled trial was carried out at four teaching and two university hospitals in the Netherlands in women with symptomatic vault prolapse requiring surgical treatment. Participants were randomised for laparoscopic or open sacrocolpopexy. Primary outcome was disease-specific quality of life measured using the Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI) questionnaire at 12 months’ follow-up. Secondary outcomes included anatomical outcome and perioperative data. We needed 74 participants to show a difference of 10 points on the prolapse domain of the UDI 12 months after surgery (power of 80%, α error 0.05).

Results

Between 2007 and 2012, a total of 74 women were randomised. Follow-up after 12 months showed no significant differences in domain scores of the UDI between the two groups. After 12 months, both groups reported a UDI score of 0.0 (IQR: 0–0) for the domain “genital prolapse”, which was the primary outcome. There were no significant differences between the two groups (p?=?0.93). The number of severe complications was 4 in the laparoscopic group versus 7 in the open abdominal group (RR 0.57; 95% CI 0.50–2.27). There was less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay after laparoscopy; 2 (IQR 2–3) versus 4 (IQR 3–5) days, which was statistically different. There was no significant difference in anatomical outcome at 12 months.

Conclusion

Our trial provides evidence to support a laparoscopic approach when performing sacrocolpopexy, as there was less blood loss and hospital stay was shorter, whereas functional and anatomical outcome were not statistically different.

     

Iliococcygeus fixation or abdominal sacral colpopexy for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction and hypothesis

To compare the efficacy and safety of iliococcygeus fixation (ICG) and abdominal sacral colpopexy (SCP) in the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse.

Methods

Patients with symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy were considered in this analysis. Surgical outcomes, i.e., the capacity to restore the anatomy of the vaginal cuff and improvement in the prolapse-related symptoms were compared. Continuous variables were compared using the Student’s t test, while non-continuous variables using a Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Sacrocolpopexy was performed in 41 patients, while ICG fixation was carried out in 36 patients. Operative time was significantly shorter (78 vs 140 min, p?<?0.001) and median blood loss higher in the ICG group (150 ml vs 100 ml, p=0.01). The rates of postoperative complications of the two groups were not statistically different. Relapse rate was similar in the two groups (15 % in the SCP and 22 % in the ICG group respectively, p=0.36). Considering the POP-Q score, both SCP and ICG achieved a significant and comparable correction of vaginal prolapse. The evaluation of postoperative subjective symptoms revealed a significant improvement in voiding and vaginal bulging related to pelvic organ prolapse in both groups.

Conclusions

Both ICG fixation and SCP are effective in restoring normal anatomy in patients with vaginal vault prolapse and in relieving associated symptoms. Owing to its lower morbidity and to the advantage of not using a synthetic device, ICG might be an excellent option for the treatment of recurrent vaginal vault prolapse following hysterectomy.