Management of mesh complications and vaginal constriction: a urogynecology perspective

Once thought of as a long-term solution to pelvic organ prolapse, currently synthetic mesh augmentation is regarded as a dark area that is being critically assessed by surgeons, hospitals, industry, and most importantly the Food and Drug Administration. The development of midurethral sling kits has revolutionized the surgical treatment of stress incontinence. These systems, however, were not rigorously tested but instead marketed after being cleared by the Food and Drug Administration through a simple regulatory process using a previously approved predescent material. This article reviews the management of mesh complications of synthetic slings and mesh used to augment prolapse repair.     

Risk factors for mesh complications after trocar guided transvaginal mesh kit repair of anterior vaginal wall prolapse

AIMS: To identify risk factors for mesh exposures after anterior pelvic organ prolapse repair using a standardized trocar guided polypropylene mesh kit. METHODS: A secondary risk analysis combining patients from two prospective multicenter studies. Main outcome was clinical host-vs-implant reactions one year after surgery using a macroscopic inflammatory scale. RESULTS: 353 patients were included in the study. Mean age at surgery was 65.3 (±9.6 SD) years and surgery was performed as a primary procedure in 224/353 (63.5%) patients. Mesh exposures, of which the majority were mild-moderate, occurred in a total of 30/349 patients (8.6%). Multivariate logistic regression showed increased odds for mesh exposures for women who smoked before surgery (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.18-10.28), who had given birth to more than two children (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.07-6.51) and those with somatic inflammatory disease (OR 5.11, 95% CI 1.17-22.23). Age, body mass index, and menopausal status showed no significant association with clinical mesh exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking, multiple childbirth, and somatic inflammatory disease are possible risk factors for mesh exposure after trocar guided mesh kit surgery for anterior pelvic organ prolapse. Preoperative smoking cessation may decrease the risk for exposures. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1165-1169, 2012. ? 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Robotic removal of eroded vaginal mesh into the bladder

Vaginal mesh erosion into the bladder after midurethral sling procedure or cystocele repair is uncommon, with only a few cases having been reported in the literature. The ideal surgical management is still controversial. Current options for removal of eroded mesh include: endoscopic, transvaginal or abdominal (either open or laparoscopic) approaches. We, herein, present the first case of robotic removal of a large eroded vaginal mesh into the bladder and discuss potential benefits and limitations of the technique.     

Transvaginal mesh technique for pelvic organ prolapse repair: mesh exposure management and risk factors

Prosthetic reinforcement in the surgical repair of pelvic prolapse by the vaginal approach is not devoid of tolerability-related problems such as vaginal erosion. The purposes of our study are to define the risk factors for exposure of the mesh material, to describe advances and to recommend a therapeutic strategy. Two hundred and seventy-seven patients undergoing surgery due to pelvic prolapse with transvaginal mesh technique were included in a continuous, retrospective study between January 2002 and December 2003. Thirty-four cases of mesh exposure were observed within the 2 months following surgery, which represents an incidence of 12.27%. All the patients were medically treated, nine of whom were found to have completely healed during the check-up performed at 2 months. In contrast, 25 patients required partial mesh exeresis. Risk factors of erosion were concomitant hysterectomy [OR=5.17 (p=10⁻³)] and inverted T colpotomy [OR=6.06 (p=10⁻²)]. Two technical guidelines can be defined from this study as regards the surgical procedure required in order to limit mesh exposure via the vaginal route. The uterus must be preserved, and the number and extent of colpotomies needed to insert the mesh must be limited.     

Clinical pathway for tension-free vaginal mesh procedure: Evaluation in 300 patients with pelvic organ prolapse

Objectives:   To evaluate a clinical pathway of discharge on postoperative day 3 for the tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) procedure in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
Methods:   Between May 2006 and December 2007, 305 consecutive women with POP quantification stage 3 or 4 were planned to undergo the TVM procedure in a single general hospital. Excluding five patients with concomitant hysterectomy, a pathway (removal of the indwelling urethral catheter on the next morning, discharge on postoperative day 3) was applied to the remaining 300 patients. The perioperative complications and postoperative hospitalization were prospectively evaluated in this case series.
Results:   Perioperative complications were: bladder injury (11 cases, 3.7%), vaginal wall hematoma (two cases, 0.7%), rectal injury (one case, 0.3%) and temporary hydronephrosis (one case, 0.3%). None needed blood transfusion. The indwelling urethral catheters were removed on the next morning as in the pathway in 287 cases (95.6%), and none required clean intermittent catheterization at home. Postoperative hospitalization was within 3 days in 280 cases (93.3%). The six cases (2.0%) with longer hospitalization were due to complications (two cases of bladder injury, one of rectal injury, one of blood loss over 200 mL, one of temporary urinary retention, and one of hydronephrosis). Two patients were re-hospitalized within one month due to vaginal bleeding or gluteal pain.
Conclusions:   Patients generally accepted the pathway of discharge on postoperative day 3 in spite of the Japanese culture preferring a longer hospital stay.     

Management of vaginal erosion of polypropylene mesh slings

PURPOSE: The SPARC (American Medical Systems, Minneapolis, Minnesota) polypropylene sling has recently been introduced as an alternative delivery system to TVT (Ethicon, New Brunswick, New Jersey) tension-free vaginal tape for placement of a tension-free mid urethral sling. Erosion must always be considered a risk of synthetic materials. We present 4 cases of vaginal erosion of polypropylene mesh placed with this system and the successful conservative management done. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients received a SPARC polypropylene pubovaginal sling at our institution between October 1, 2001 and October 1, 2002. During followup 3 of our patients and 1 patient with tension-free vaginal tape who was referred from elsewhere presented with vaginal exposure of the mesh. RESULTS: Two patients described persistent vaginal discharge 6 weeks postoperatively, including 1 who complained primarily of partner discomfort during sexual intercourse. Two patients were completely asymptomatic and mesh erosion was discovered at routine physical examination 6 weeks postoperatively. Pelvic examination demonstrated vaginal exposure of the mesh in all cases. Each patient was observed conservatively and 3 months postoperatively all 4 had complete spontaneous epithelialization over the mesh. None had stress incontinence, urgency or urge incontinence, all emptied the bladder to completion and all patients were completely satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The recent literature suggests that polypropylene mesh erosion should be treated with complete removal of the sling material. We present 4 cases of vaginal erosion of polypropylene slings that were managed conservatively with observation and resulted in complete spontaneous healing. Sling preservation with continued patient continence and satisfaction is a feasible option in those with vaginal exposure of polypropylene mesh.     

复合补片和生物补片治疗食管裂孔疝的疗效对比研究

目的:对比应用复合补片和生物补片治疗反流性食管炎和食管裂孔疝的疗效。方法:21例应用Crurasoft誖复合补片组及20例应用BiodesignTM Surgisis誖生物补片组修补食管裂孔疝病人,对比分析术后复发率和补片相关并发症发生的差异。结果:两组病人一般情况、食管裂孔长径和手术时间等方面无统计学差异。应用复合补片和生物补片均能使术前反流性食管炎的症状显著缓解。复合补片组和生物补片组围手术期并发症发生率分别为9.5%和30.0%,两组间无统计学差异。术后6个月随访裂孔疝复发率均为0。复合补片组和生物补片组长期随访平均时间分别为(16.3±8.9)个月和(17.3±6.8)个月,解剖性复发率分别为4.8%和5.0%,无统计学差异。两组病人均未发生食管侵蚀的并发症。复合补片组病人术后吞咽困难发生率高于生物补片组(38.1%比20..0%),但无统计学差异。结论:应用新一代小肠黏膜下基质补片和复合补片修补食管裂孔疝后疗效满意,复发率低,补片相关的严重并发症发生率差异无统计学意义。     

盆底修补术后聚丙烯网片阴道暴露的组织学观察

目的：探讨使用聚丙烯网片行盆底修补术后发生网片暴露的局部组织病理学变化.方法：2004年5月-2011年12月于解放军总医院第一附属医院妇产科采用聚丙烯网片经阴道盆底修补治疗盆底功能障碍并于术后发生网片阴道暴露的患者18例,对局部暴露的网片进行切除,采用光镜和扫描电镜观察局部的组织学变化和暴露网片的变化.结果：经阴道网片盆底重建术后12个月发生网片暴露18例,其中临床阴道检查中可见明显感染者5例,仅见纤维结缔组织增生者13例.对18例阴道局部切除的网片进行光镜观察后发现,16例可见网片周围结缔组织中有白细胞或巨噬细胞浸润,另2例未见白细胞浸润.扫描电镜检查发现18例中12例暴露的网片存在明显聚丙烯纤维丝表面降解和横向断裂现象.结论：阴道组织内网片周围炎症反应引起的纤维生物降解可能是导致阴道植入网片发生暴露的原因之一.     

High rate of vaginal erosions associated with the mentor ObTape

PURPOSE: The transobturator tape method is a newer surgical technique for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Limited data exist related to complications with this approach or the types of mesh products used. We report our experience with vaginal erosions associated with the Mentor ObTape and American Medical Systems Monarc transobturator slings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beginning in December 2003 selected female patients with anatomic urinary incontinence were prospectively followed after placement of the Mentor ObTape. Beginning in January 2004 we also began using the American Medical Systems Monarc in similar patients. Patients were admitted overnight after surgery, discharged on oral antibiotics, and seen in the clinic at 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients have undergone placement of the Mentor ObTape and 9 of those patients (13.4%) have had vaginal extrusions of the sling. Eight patients reported a history of persistent vaginal discharge. One patient presented initially to an outside facility with a left thigh abscess tracking to the left inguinal incision site. Each patient was taken back to the operating room for mesh removal. A total of 56 patients have undergone placement of the AMS Monarc and none have had any vaginal erosions. CONCLUSIONS: Our high rate of vaginal extrusion using the ObTape has led us to discontinue the use of this product in our institution. Continued followup of all of these patients will be of critical importance.     

Multiple perineal abscesses and sinus tracts as a complication of vaginal mesh

Understanding the occurrence and management of mesh kit complications has become increasingly important. A 54-year-old woman presented to our tertiary care center with complaints of constant perineal pain, and copious, foul-smelling vaginal discharge after anterior and posterior placement of a synthetic mesh and mid-urethral sling 3 months earlier. She was found to have two vaginocutaneous sinus tracts (to the left ischiorectal fossa and to the left labia majora), as well as bilateral abscess cavities within the ischiorectal fossae. The posterior mesh was completely excised, the tracts were opened, and the wound was packed and allowed to heal by secondary intention.     

经腹腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术中固定补片和缝合补片的疗效比较

目的探究经腹腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术中固定补片和缝合补片的临床效果及术后并发症情况。 方法选取2016年1月至2018年6月于东莞市松山湖中心医院拟行腹股沟疝手术的患者,将符合标准的86例患者纳入研究。根据实际手术治疗情况,将其分为A组（自固定补片,46例）和B组（缝合补片,40例）。观察和比较2组手术情况、术后疼痛情况和并发症。 结果A组手术时间更短且术中出血量更少（P<0.05）,但2组术后卧床时间、排气时间、住院时间和止疼药使用次数均无明显差异（P>0.05）;术后24 h 2组患者疼痛均达到高峰,此后随着时间推移,疼痛情况明显好转（P<0.05）,其中A组疼痛缓解情况明显优于B组（P<0.05）;术后6个月时2组患者VAS评分结果无明显差异（P>0.05）;2组术后并发症发生率无明显差异（P>0.05）。 结论经腹腹腔镜腹股沟疝修补术中使用自固定补片能够缩短手术时间并减少出血量,术后短时间内疼痛感更轻,不增加术后并发症发生率,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

重量型补片与轻量型补片应用于腹股沟疝修补术的Meta分析

目的评价重量型补片与轻量型补片应用于腹股沟疝无张力修补对患者恢复的影响。方法检索PubMed、EMBase、Springer及Cochrane图书馆,结合查找到文献中的参考文献,检索时间从2000年1月至2010年9月,选择有关重量型补片与轻量型补片应用于腹股沟疝修补术的临床对照研究,由两位作者分别对研究质量进行评估,并提取有关资料,主要包括术后复发、血肿与血清肿、异物感,感染及疼痛的情况,采用RevMan5.0软件进行Meta分析。结果共纳入21项临床对照研究,其中16项为前赡性随机对照临床研究,包括5389例,其中重量型补片组2861例,轻量型补片组2528例。对纳入研究进行整体分析显示,轻量型补片组术后异物感发生率明显少于重量型补片组（p〈0.05）,优势比（Odds ratio）及95%可信区间为1.90（1.48,2.43）,轻量型补片组术后慢性疼痛（12个月或更长）的发生率明显少于重量型补片组（p〈0.05）,OR及95%可信区间为1.39（1.10,1.75）;两组患者在术后的复发、血肿（血清肿）、感染及早期疼痛的发生率无显著差异（p〉0.05）。结论使用轻量型补片进行腹股沟疝无张力修补术,能减少术后的异物感及慢性疼痛,对术后的复发、血肿（血清肿）、感染及早期疼痛无明显影响。     

Symptom resolution and sexual function after anterior vaginal wall repair with or without polypropylene mesh

To evaluate whether symptom resolution and sexual function is better after reinforcement with polypropylene mesh than with traditional anterior repair. Ninety-seven patients were randomized to anterior colporrhaphy and 105 to an operation with mesh. Participants were evaluated up to 24 months by physical examination, standard questions, and questionnaire. The overall symptom rate did not differ between the groups, but a sensation of vaginal bulge was reported less frequently in the mesh group, the figures being 17 versus 5 (p = 0.003). The recurrence rate for the no-mesh group was 41% and for the mesh group 11% (p < 0.001). The dyspareunia score was statistically significantly lower in the mesh group (p = 0.015). The mesh exposure rate was 8%. Sensation of vaginal bulge was relieved more efficiently by the mesh technique without causing dyspareunia. Clinical trial registration available at , identifier NCT00420225.     

腹股沟疝腹腔镜腹腔内网片植入术后并发症的分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜下腹腔内网片植入术(intraperitoneal onlay mesh,IPOM)治疗腹股沟疝并发症的原因及预防.方法 回顾性分析2005年5月至2009年2月在我院行腹腔镜下腹腔内网片植入术治疗腹股沟疝患者335例.结果 术后疼痛3例,占0.90%;复发3例,复发率0.90%;血清肿2例,占0.60%;术后无1例出现补片感染及粘连性肠梗阻临床表现.结论 腹腔镜下腹腔内网片植入术治疗腹股沟疝方法简单,创伤小,术后并发症少,是一种安全的微创治疗腹股沟疝的手术方法,随着手术技巧的提高,并发症可进一步减少.     

Use of synthetic mesh to prevent recurrent vaginal evisceration: a case report

Vaginal evisceration of the bowel is a rare and life-threatening complication of gynecologic surgery; recurrence is even more rare. Most cases in the literature discuss primary closure of the dehisced vaginal cuff with delayed absorbable sutures via a vaginal, abdominal, or laparoscopic approach. The case presented here is of a patient who had a history of recurrent vaginal evisceration treated with an abdominal sacrocolpopexy utilizing synthetic mesh. Further recurrence, to date, has been prevented.     

Repair of vaginal vault prolapse and pelvic floor relaxation using polypropylene mesh

AIMS: The sacrouterine ligament/cardinal (SULC) complex and prerectal fascia attach at the perineal body, forming a single support unit preventing levator descent. Many patients with vault prolapse have levator descent and widening of the hiatus. Existing transvaginal procedures do not address pelvic floor descent. We describe a technique utilizing polypropylene mesh to repair pelvic floor relaxation and prevent levator descent, along with restoration of the SULC complex in vaginal vault repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 50 patients who had a transvaginal mesh vault/posterior wall reconstruction. A T-shaped soft prolene mesh is prepared fixing the two arms of the mesh and recreating the SULC complex in support of the cuff. The vertical segment of the mesh is transferred over the prerectal fascia and secured to the pelvic floor musculature. The rectocele is repaired incorporating the mesh distally preventing pelvic floor descent. Surgical outcome was determined by patient self-assessment including quality of life (QoL) measure as well as pelvic examination using POP-Q staging. RESULTS: Mean age was 67 years. Mean follow-up was 6 months (range 3-12). There were no intraoperative complications. There have been two apical (4%) recurrences. Mean QoL score postoperatively on a 0-6 scale was 0.74 (0 = delighted, 1 = pleased). Pelvic floor descent has been repaired on all patients. Postoperative POP-Q reveals restoration of normal anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: We report a new technique that recreates the SULC complex in support of the vaginal vault with the aid of prolene mesh. It is the first transvaginal procedure described to reconstruct the pelvic floor in attempt to prevent pelvic floor descent.