Abdominal sacrocolpopexy: a comprehensive review

OBJECTIVE: To summarize published data about abdominal sacrocolpopexy and to highlight areas about which data are lacking. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a literature search on MEDLINE using Ovid and PubMed, from January,1966 to January, 2004, using search terms "sacropexy," "sacrocolpopexy," "sacral colpopexy," "colpopexy," "sacropexy," "colposacropexy," "abdominal sacrocolpopexy" "pelvic organ prolapse and surgery," and "vaginal vault prolapse or surgery" and included articles with English-language abstracts. We examined reference lists of published articles to identify other articles not found on the electronic search. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: We examined all studies identified in our search that provided any outcome data on sacrocolpopexy. Because of the substantial heterogeneity of outcome measures and follow-up intervals in case studies, we did not apply meta-analytic techniques to the data. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Follow-up duration for most studies ranged from 6 months to 3 years. The success rate, when defined as lack of apical prolapse postoperatively, ranged from 78-100% and when defined as no postoperative prolapse, from 58-100%. The median reoperation rates for pelvic organ prolapse and for stress urinary incontinence in the studies that reported these outcomes were 4.4% (range 0-18.2%) and 4.9% (range 1.2% to 30.9%), respectively. The overall rate of mesh erosion was 3.4% (70 of 2,178). Some reports found more mesh erosions when concomitant total hysterectomy was done, whereas other reports did not. There were no data to either support or refute the contentions that concomitant culdoplasty or paravaginal repair decreased the risk of failure. Most authors recommended burying the graft under the peritoneum to attempt to decrease the risk of bowel obstruction; despite this, the median rate (when reported) of small bowel obstruction requiring surgery was 1.1% (range 0.6% to 8.6%). Few studies rigorously assessed pelvic symptoms, bowel function, or sexual function. CONCLUSION: Sacrocolpopexy is a reliable procedure that effectively and consistently resolves vaginal vault prolapse. Patients should be counseled about the low, but present risk, of reoperation for prolapse, stress incontinence, and complications. Prospective trials are needed to understand the effect of sacrocolpopexy on functional outcomes.     

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.     

Long term review of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of long term outcome following laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. DESIGN: Retrospective follow up study using standardised examination with pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) and questionnaires. SETTING: A tertiary urogynaecology unit in the North West of England. POPULATION: One hundred and forty consecutive cases who had a laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, between 1993 and 1999. METHODS: Women completed questionnaires and were examined in gynaecology clinic or sent postal questionnaires if unable to attend the clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adequacy of vault support and recurrent vaginal prolapse assessed by POP-Q score. Assessment of prolapse, urinary and bowel symptoms and sexual function using questionnaires. RESULTS: One hundred and three women were contacted after a median of 66 months. Sixty-six women were examined and a further 37 women filled in questionnaires only. Recurrent vault prolapse occurred in 4 of the 66 women who were examined. Prolapse had recurred or persisted in 21 of 66 women, with equal numbers of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse. Overall, 81/102 (79%) said that their symptoms of prolapse were 'cured' or 'improved'; 39/103 (38%) still had symptoms of prolapse. For every two women who were cured of their urinary or bowel symptoms, one woman developed worse symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Among the 66 women available for examination laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy provided good long term support of the vault in 92%. Forty-two percent of these women had recurrent vaginal wall prolapse. Despite this, 79% of women felt that their symptoms of prolapse were cured or improved following surgery.     

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for severe vaginal vault prolapse: five-year outcome

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of the laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of severe vaginal prolapse. DESIGN: (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: Private clinic. PATIENTS: Fifty-one consecutive posthysterectomy patients with severe vaginal prolapse (Baden-Walker Grade 3 or 4). INTERVENTIONS: The patients were treated by laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in conjunction with other laparoscopic and/or vaginal procedures, as indicated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 43 patients seen at 5-year follow-up, 3 had recurrent vaginal prolapse (objective cure rate 93%). In the patients with recurrence, the polypropylene mesh had torn partially or completely from the vaginal apex. When the posterior strip of mesh was extended to the perineal body, there were fewer recurrences of posterior compartment defects. Postoperatively, two patients had a partial small bowel obstruction secondary to bowel adherence to the mesh. Four patients had mesh erosion at the vaginal apex: two responded to local treatment, and two required vaginal flaps to cover the defect. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy can be used safely with cure rates similar to abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Extending the mesh to the perineum appears to decrease posterior vault defects. There is a protracted learning curve. Patient recovery is greatly enhanced, in most cases requiring only an overnight hospitalization.     

The use of a xenogenic barrier to prevent mesh erosion with laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a xenogenic barrier in preventing vaginal mucosal erosion and the use of a collagen-coated polypropylene mesh in preventing small bowel obstruction with laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for the treatment of severe vaginal prolapse. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: Private urogynecology clinic. PATIENTS: A total of 31 consecutive post-hysterectomy patients with severe apical vaginal prolapse (pelvic organ prolapse quantification [POP-Q] stages 2-4). INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, in conjunction with other laparoscopic and/or vaginal procedures, was used to correct pelvic floor disease. A Y-shaped polyester multifilament mesh, with a resorbable collagen coating, was used for the implant. The inner surfaces of the Y-shaped synthetic mesh had porcine dermal strips attached to act as a buffer/barrier for the vaginal wall. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 29 (94%) of 31 patients were cured at 12 months (defined as POP-Q < stage II). There were no more failures in the 28 patients followed-up at 24 months. Two patients had recurrent apical prolapse (Point C = -1 and 0). There were no small bowel obstructions and no vaginal mesh erosions during the 2-year follow-up. There was significant improvement in the sexual and quality of life questionnaires after repair. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is an effective treatment for apical vault prolapse. There were no cases of vaginal erosion in the first 2 years of follow-up with the "combination" biosynthetic mesh. It is suggested that the interposition of a collagen barrier between the synthetic mesh and the vaginal mucosa prevents erosion. Biosynthetic engineering appears promising in aiding the prevention of the most common complication in pelvic floor reconstructive surgery with permanent implants. The use of permanent synthetic mesh plays an important role in the success of sacrocolpopexy, removing the dependence on the use of poor in situ tissue seen in classic and site-specific repairs. The use of biologic barriers developed specifically for certain actions may be useful in minimally invasive vaginal repair surgery.     

Laparoscopic repair of vaginal vault prolapse by lateral suspension with mesh

Background

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic lateral suspension using mesh reinforcement for symptomatic posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse.

Materials and methods

We analyzed in a prospective cohort study all the women treated by laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh for symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse between January 2004 and September 2010. In this procedure, the mesh is laterally suspended to the abdominal wall, posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine. We performed systematic follow-up examinations at 4 weeks, 6 months and yearly postoperatively. Clinical evaluation of pelvic organ support was assessed by the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) grading system. Main outcome measures were recurrence rate, reoperation rate for symptomatic recurrence or de novo prolapse, mesh erosion rate, reoperation rate for mesh erosion, total reoperation rate.

Observations and results

Of the 73 patients seen at a mean 17.5 months follow-up, recurrent vaginal vault prolapse was registered in only one woman (success rate of 98.6 %). When considering all vaginal sites, we observed a total of 13 patients with recurrent or de novo prolapse (17.8 %). The non-previously treated posterior compartment was involved in eight cases (new appearance rate of 11 %). Of these 13 women, only 6 were symptomatic, requiring surgical management (reoperation rate for genital prolapse of 8.2 %). Four patients presented with mesh erosion into the vagina (5.5 %). Two required partial vaginal excision of the mesh in the operating room (2.7 %). There were no mesh-related infections. The total reoperation rate was 11 %.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh interposition is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. This approach represents an alternative procedure to the laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.     

Difficulties associated with removal of mesh eroding into vagina following abdominal sacrocolpopexy: a case report

This case report describes the clinical case of a patient presenting complications during removal of mesh eroding through the lower one third of the posterior vaginal wall following abdominal sacrocolpopexy. Although excellent results have been reported with abdominal sacrocolpopexy for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse, minimizing complications and their correction remains a challenge. In this case, only 3/4 of the mesh was removed vaginally and was complicated by small bowel perforation due to adhesions. The remaining mesh was removed by careful dissection from the sacral base as the risk of infection in the mesh left behind is increased. Successful management eventually requires complete removal of the mesh at laparotomy. The surgery should be performed by experienced pelvic surgeons able to resolve intraoperative complications. Although serious complications are rare, patients should nonetheless be counselled about the risk of massive bleeding, bowel perforation, infection and rectovaginal fistula formation.     

Modification of abdominal sacrocolpopexy using a suture anchor system

OBJECTIVE: To describe treatment of total vaginal vault prolapse with abdominal sacrocolpopexy using a new technique involving Prolene mesh (Ethicon, Somerville, New Jersey) and the Vesica PRESS IN Suture Anchor System (Boston Scientific, Watertown, Massachusetts). STUDY DESIGN: We selected patients with new and recurrent vaginal prolapses that were not amenable to vaginal sacrospinous ligament suspension. RESULTS: The 11 patients treated with this modification had a speedy recovery, with no complications and a satisfactory result. CONCLUSION: Use of the Vesica PRESS IN Suture Anchor System for placement of the suture in the mesh that suspends the vaginal vault from the L-5 or S-1 vertebra obviates the need for placement of multiple sutures into the longitudinal ligament of the vertebra. This minimizes the risk of damage to the presacral vessels, inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta. Therefore, this procedure retains the well-documented advantages of preserving the natural vaginal axis, maintaining coital function and offering a lasting solution to the problem of vaginal vault prolapse.     

骶骨固定术临床价值分析

骶骨固定术是利用网片或其他移植物,将阴道顶或子宫固定于骶骨前纵韧带,用于治疗盆腔器官脱垂（pelvic organ prolapse,POP）的一种经典手术方式,其发展史经历了从开腹到腹腔镜再到经阴道单孔腹腔镜的不断改良和完善的过程。近年来,新兴的经阴道单孔腹腔镜骶骨固定术（transvaginal single port laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy,VLSC）,结合了阴式手术与腹腔镜手术的优点,不仅具有腹壁无瘢痕、术后疼痛更轻、恢复更快等更加微创的优点,而且具有较高的主观和客观治愈率,以及较低的网片相关并发症,有望成为治疗POP的常规术式。     

骶骨固定术临床价值分析

骶骨固定术是利用网片或其他移植物,将阴道顶或子宫固定于骶骨前纵韧带,用于治疗盆腔器官脱垂（pelvic organ prolapse,POP）的一种经典手术方式,其发展史经历了从开腹到腹腔镜再到经阴道单孔腹腔镜的不断改良和完善的过程。近年来,新兴的经阴道单孔腹腔镜骶骨固定术（transvaginal single port laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy,VLSC）,结合了阴式手术与腹腔镜手术的优点,不仅具有腹壁无瘢痕、术后疼痛更轻、恢复更快等更加微创的优点,而且具有较高的主观和客观治愈率,以及较低的网片相关并发症,有望成为治疗POP的常规术式。     

Vault prolapse and rectocele: assessment of repair using sacrocolpopexy with mesh interposition

Objective To assess the sacrocolpopexy with mesh interposition in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
Design A prospective study.
Setting Tertiary referral urogynaecology and pelvic floor reconstruction unit.
Population Twenty-nine consecutive women with symptomatic vault prolapse and rectocele.
Main outcome measures Subjective and objective success rates and complications.
Results The mean age was 57 years. The mean number of past prolapse operations was 2.6 which included two past sacrospinous ligament fixations and 17 past posterior repairs. The mean follow up was 14 months. There was an increase in constipation from 41% to 50%, a decrease in faecal soiling from 21% to 10%, and an increase in incomplete defecation from 24% to 36%. Dyspareunia decreased from 38% to 17%, and there was some improvement in the stress and urge incontinence. There was a significant reduction of vault prolapse and rectocele (   P < 0.001  ). All women with Stage II and Stage III vault prolapse were corrected, with an increase in Stage I prolapse from 20% to 27%. All women with Stage II and Stage III rectocele were corrected with a decrease in Stage I prolapse from 36% to 7%. The only significant interoperative complication was a cystotomy. One mesh became infected post-operatively which required removal.
Conclusions Sacrocolpopexy and mesh interposition is a safe and reliable operation for the correction of vault prolapse and rectocele. A long term follow up is necessary to detect any late complications.     

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.     

Site-specific fascial defects in the diagnosis and surgical management of enterocele

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the surgical feasibility and clinical outcomes of a vaginal enterocele repair that was based on the theory of site-specific defects in the vaginal fascia. Study Design: Seventeen patients during a 2-year period with a diagnosis of enterocele and vaginal vault descensus with or without coexisting rectocele underwent surgical correction with a site-specific fascial defect repair. An enterocele was defined as vaginal wall prolapse seen during the operation in which the peritoneum was found to be in direct contact with the vaginal epithelium, with no intervening fascia. Patients were examined at 4 weeks after the operation and then at 6-month intervals, with site-specific analysis of pelvic prolapse at the vaginal apex and posterior vaginal segment. Results: Identification and site-specific fascial defect repair of the enterocele were successfully performed in all 17 cases. All patients also underwent a uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension, and 15 patients (88%) underwent concurrent posterior colporrhaphy. There were no intraoperative complications. At a mean follow-up of 6.3 months (range 1-17 months), 2 patients (12%) had mild, asymptomatic vaginal vault descensus but no patients (0/17) had evidence of a recurrent enterocele or rectocele. Conclusion: Enterocele correction through a fascial defect repair is easily performed through the vaginal route and is associated with excellent surgical outcomes on short-term follow-up. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:1418-23.)     

Uterosacral ligament fixation for vaginal vault suspension in uterine and vaginal vault prolapse

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the simplicity, safety, anatomic, and functional success of using the uterosacral ligaments for correction of significant complex uterine and vaginal vault prolapse by the vaginal route. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty women with uterine or vaginal vault prolapse with descent of the cervix or the vaginal vault to the introitus or greater were treated between 1993 and 1996 by the same surgeon with bilateral uterosacral ligament fixation to the vaginal cuff by the vaginal route. Included were patients with significant enterocele, cystourethrocele, rectocele, and stress urinary incontinence who had concomitant repair of coexisting pelvic support defects. An etiology of vaginal vault prolapse is discussed. RESULTS: Uterosacral ligaments were identified and used for successful vaginal vault suspension by the vaginal route in all 50 consecutive patients without subsequent failure or significant complications with a maximum follow-up of 4 years. One patient had recurrent stress urinary incontinence and two had asymptomatic cystoceles. Three patients had erosion of monofilament sutures at the vaginal apex. CONCLUSIONS: In these 50 patients with significant complex uterine or vaginal vault prolapse, uterosacral ligaments could always be identified and safely used for vaginal vault suspension by the vaginal route with no persistence or recurrence of vaginal vault prolapse 6 to 48 months after surgery. Excessive tension by the surgeon on tagged uterosacral ligaments at the time of hysterectomy may be an etiologic factor in vaginal vault prolapse.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:44)     

Abdominal sacral colpopexy in patients with gynecologic cancer: report of 25 cases with long-term follow-up and literature review

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate abdominal sacral colpopexy performed in conjunction with radical pelvic surgery for gynecologic cancer. METHODS: Over a 9-year period from 1990 to 1999 25 patients with invasive gynecologic cancer and concomitant uterovaginal or vaginal vault prolapse underwent surgery. These patients were compared to a series of 50 patients with no history of gynecologic cancer who underwent abdominal sacral colpopexy during the same period. RESULTS: All surgeries were performed without intraoperative complication. There was one failed vault suspension in each group and no postoperative mesh complications as a result of radical pelvic surgery or postoperative radiation or chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Abdominal sacral colpopexy may be safely performed along with radical pelvic surgery for gynecologic cancer without an increase in intra- or postoperative morbidity even if patients require chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery.     

Laparoscopic promontal fixation: assessment of 100 cases

AIM: Aim of the study is to evaluate long term results of 100 patients treated laparoscopically to repair genital prolapse and urinary incontinence. METHODS: A retrospective review analysis of 100 women, who underwent laparoscopic genital prolapse repair at Primary Referral University Hospital in Clermont-Ferrand. Patients characteristics, preoperatory exams, intraoperative, postoperative and outpatient clinic data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 172 minutes. One laparotomy conversion was required, due to a technical problem. The mean hospitalization stay was 4.7 days. Two patients required a reintervention during their hospitalization stay, due to a complication. All the patients were reviewed during the 6 months later the intervention. The follow-up is between 6 months and 3 years. The average degree of cystocele and hysterocele was ameliorated from stage 3 to stage 0, the average stage of rectocele was ameliorated from stage 2 to stage 0, finally the average stage of vault prolapse was ameliorated from stage 1 to stage 0. The incidence of genuine stress incontinence was 47% in the preoperative time and only 4% at the long follow-up. We had a total 4% rate of mesh vaginal erosion. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is an effective and safe technique to repair the major pelvic prolapses.     

A prospective study of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for the management of pelvic organ prolapse

Objective  Assessment of the 2-year outcome of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.
Design  A prospective observational study of women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for prolapse.
Setting  A tertiary referral unit in the North West of England.
Population  A total of 22 women taking part in a prospective longitudinal study of prolapse who had a laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy between September 2002 and January 2005.
Methods  Women attended a research clinic where they completed validated quality-of-life questionnaires and were examined. Women were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.
Main outcome measures  Pelvic organ support assessed by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification score. Assessment of the degree and impact of vaginal, urinary and bowel symptoms using validated quality-of-life questionnaires.
Results  At a mean follow up of 26.5 months, all 22 women had stage 0 vault support with 21 cured of prolapse symptoms. Stress urinary incontinence resolved in half of women without concomitant continence surgery. Bowel symptoms were uncommon, but of those reporting postoperative bowel symptoms, approximately one-third had no symptoms prior to surgery. No new onset dyspareunia was reported in those women sexually active at 2 years.
Conclusions  Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a safe and effective treatment for vault prolapse, providing excellent vault support in the medium term. The outcome for anterior and posterior support is less predictable, and anatomical outcome correlated poorly with functional outcome.     

Vaginal reconstruction following supra-levator total pelvic exenteration

BACKGROUND: There are several available techniques for neovaginal reconstruction following exenterative gynecologic surgery. However, all methods are associated with prolonged operative time and increased morbidity. The Apogee and Perigee vaginal vault and prolapse repair systems are innovative and minimally invasive procedures that may prove to be effective in controlling the levator defect and reconstructing the vagina in patients undergoing supra-levator pelvic exenteration. CASE: We present a patient who underwent supra-levator total pelvic exenteration for treatment of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Vaginal reconstruction was performed with the Apogee and Perigee systems utilizing the porcine mesh (InteXen) from American Medical Systems. The patient did well without any postoperative vaginal or small bowel complications. CONCLUSION: The Apogee and Perigee systems comprise an innovative technique for vaginal vault reconstruction and prolapse repair. These systems may prove useful in reconstruction of the pelvis following ultra-radical pelvic procedures for recurrent gynecologic malignancies.     

High uterosacral vaginal vault suspension with fascial reconstruction for vaginal repair of enterocele and vaginal vault prolapse

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review retrospectively the functional and anatomic outcomes of women who underwent vaginal repair of enterocele and vault prolapse with the use of an intraperitoneal suspension of the vaginal vault to the uterosacral ligaments in conjunction with fascial reconstruction of the anterior and posterior vaginal wall. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred two women with advanced symptomatic uterovaginal prolapse or posthysterectomy vault prolapse underwent a standard transvaginal procedure to correct their prolapse between January 1997 and June 2000. Anatomic results were assessed by standardized examination from 6 months to 3 years after the operation. Functional results were assessed subjectively and with standard quality of life questionnaires. The average age of the women was 60.3 years. Follow-up data were available for 168 of the 202 women. Fifty-three percent of the women had their uterus in place and underwent a vaginal hysterectomy. The prolapse repair was a primary procedure in 45.2% of the women and was performed for a recurrence or persistence in 54.8% of the women. Sixty percent and 78.6% of women underwent anterior and posterior repair, respectively. Thirty-five percent of the women underwent an anti-incontinence procedure. RESULTS: Eighty-nine percent of the women expressed satisfaction with the results of the procedure. Ten women (5.5%) underwent a repeat operation (by the authors) for recurrence of prolapse in one or more segments of the pelvic floor. Quality of life assessment revealed a significant reduction in all aspects of daily living, when the short forms of the incontinence impact questionnaire and urogenital distress inventory were evaluated before and after the operation. Major intraoperative complications included 5 cases (2.4%) of ureteral injury, 1 case of a small bowel injury, and 1 case of a pelvic abscess that required abdominal exploratory operation and diversion of the colon. CONCLUSION: High uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension with fascial reconstruction would seem to provide a durable anatomic repair with good functional improvement in patients with significant complex uterine or vaginal vault prolapse.