Posterior intra-vaginal slingplasty for the treatment of vaginal apex prolapse: Medium-term results of 140 operations with a novel procedure

Objectives

Urogynecologists are constantly looking for simple, safe and effective ways to cure vaginal apex prolapse. A novel surgical technique, posterior intra-vaginal slingplasty (PIVS), was reported recently to include both a high therapeutic rate and a low complication rate. The present study was aimed at evaluating the preliminary data of a series of PIVS-treated patients.

Study design

A total of 140 patients with vaginal apex prolapse underwent the PIVS operation in a daycare setting. Pre-operative demographics, operative details and post-operative follow-up data were prospectively collected for all patients.

Results

The PIVS procedure dose requires neither laparotomy nor deep transvaginal dissection as previously required for operative intervention. No intra-operative complications were recorded. The hospitalization period was relatively short. Three patients (2.1%) presented with surgical failure, whereas 137 (97.8%) of the operated patients reported satisfaction with the therapeutic results. One patient had post-operative unilateral gluteal skin infection. She was treated by surgical removal of the infected hemi-tape. Twelve (8.6%) patients had vaginal tape protrusion, of which 11 underwent segmental tape resection at the outpatient clinic. Two patients had spontaneous rejection of the tape while the vaginal apex remained well suspended. One patient suffered from post-operative fever of unknown origin, which was effectively treated with oral antibiotics.

Conclusions

The novel PIVS operation reduces the complication rate and shortens the rehabilitation period previously reported for the types of operation designed in the past to cure vaginal apex prolapse. The current list of results supports the previously reported efficacy, safety and simplicity of this procedure. However, more long-term data are required to be able to draw solid conclusions concerning the superiority of the discussed operative technique.     

Singleton vaginal breech delivery at term: still a safe option

OBJECTIVE: To examine the obstetric and perinatal outcome of pregnancies with singleton breech presentation at term when selection for vaginal delivery was based on clear prelabor and intrapartum criteria. METHODS: The outcomes of all pregnancies with a breech presentation after 37 weeks of gestation were retrospectively reviewed from January 1997 to June 2000. Criteria for prelabor cesarean or trial of vaginal breech delivery included type of breech, estimated fetal weight (more than 3,800 g), maternal preference, and gestation more than 41 weeks. An intrapartum protocol excluded induction and oxytocin augmentation of labor, combined with a low threshold for cesarean delivery for dystocic labor; an experienced obstetrician was in attendance during labor and delivery. RESULTS: Of 641 women, 343 (54%) underwent prelabor cesarean, and 298 (46%) had a trial of vaginal delivery, of whom 146 (49%) delivered vaginally. Significantly fewer nulliparas (58 of 158, 37%) than multiparas (88 of 140, 63%; P <.001) achieved vaginal delivery after trial of labor. Significantly more infants weighing more than 3,800 g were selected for prelabor (87 of 343, 25%) and intrapartum (31 of 152, 20%) cesarean than delivered vaginally (15 of 146, 10%). Two neonates (0.7%) had Apgar scores of less than 7 at 5 minutes; both were neurologically normal at 6 weeks. There were no nonanomalous perinatal deaths and no cases of significant trauma or neurological dysfunction; 3 infants delivered vaginally died due to lethal anomalies. CONCLUSION: Safe vaginal breech delivery at term can be achieved with strict selection criteria, adherence to a careful intrapartum protocol, and with an experienced obstetrician in attendance. Our protocol effectively selects larger infants for cesarean delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2     

经阴道行阴道旁修补术在阴道前壁及膀胱膨出治疗中的应用

目的 探讨经阴道途径行阴道旁修补(VPVR)手术治疗中、重度阴道前壁及膀胱膨出的有效性和安全性。方法采用VPVR手术,治疗25例有临床症状、经盆腔器官脱垂定量(POP-Q)分度法和Baden-Walker盆腔器官脱垂的阴道半程系统分度法,确定为阴道前壁及膀胱膨出的患,其中,POP-Q分度法为Ⅲ～Ⅳ度占92％。VPVR手术主要包括经阴道于耻骨降支下进入耻骨后间隙,暴露盆腔筋膜腱弓(ATFP),用不可吸收线将盆腔内筋膜、盆腔筋膜腱弓及膀胱筋膜逐一缝合,关闭阴道旁缺陷等步骤。同时进行其他盆底修复手术共11种。术后定期随访,对手术效果进行主观(患自觉症状或感觉)及客观(临床检查)评价。结果25例行VPVR手术均获得成功。手术时间平均为40min,出血量平均为70ml;有2例术中耻骨后静脉丛出血,分别为100ml及200ml。无其他手术并发症,无术后病率。有2例术后发生排尿困难及尿潴留,1例于短期内痊愈,另1例为术后2个月现仍在治疗中。25例术后随访2～14个月,平均6个月,患无任何自觉症状,主观治愈率为100％。2、6个月随访时,各有1例临床检查发现为复发(POP-Q分度法为Ⅰ度),客观治愈率为92％。结论VPVR手术可以恢复耻骨宫颈筋膜附着在盆腔侧壁的解剖位置,对纠正中、重度阴道前壁及膀胱膨出,是安全、有效的。     

Vaginal endoscopic oophorectomy with vaginal hysterectomy: a simple minimal access surgery technique

The main advantage of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) is ease of access to the ovaries; despite this, LAVH is infrequently performed due to the inherent difficulty of the technique. Lower morbidity, shorter length of surgery, reduced hospital stay and more rapid recovery are the main advantages of vaginal hysterectomy, but one of its limitations is the accessibility of the ovaries. Three methods of vaginal endoscopic oophorectomy following vaginal hysterectomy are described in this paper. Endoscopic vaginal oophorectomy was successfully perfomed during 82 cases of vaginal hysterectomy and the results show that the technique is simple, safe and easy to learn, and an alternative to laparotomy and LAVH in the absence of pelvic adhesions.     

Vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse using mesh and a vaginal support device

Objectives  To describe a new surgical procedure for pelvic organ prolapse using mesh and a vaginal support device (VSD) and to report the results of surgery.
Design  A prospective observational study.
Setting  Two tertiary referral Urogynaecology practices.
Population  Ninety-five women with International Continence Society pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage 2 or more pelvic organ prolapse who underwent vaginal surgery using mesh augmentation and a VSD.
Methods  Surgery involved a vaginal approach with mesh reinforcement and placement of a VSD for 4 weeks. At 6 and 12 months, women were examined for prolapse recurrence, and visual analogue scales for satisfaction were completed. Women completed quality-of-life (QOL) questionnaires preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months.
Main outcome measures  Objective success of surgery at 6 and 12 months following surgery. Secondary outcomes were subjective success, complications, QOL outcomes and patients' satisfaction.
Results  Objective success rate was 92 and 85% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Subjective success rate was 91 and 87% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. New prolapse in nonrepaired compartments accounted for 7 of 12 (58%) failures at 12 months. Two of 4 mesh exposures required surgery. Sexual dysfunction was reported by 58% of sexually active women preoperatively and 23% at 12 months. QOL scores significantly improved at 12 months compared with baseline ( P < 0.0001).
Conclusion  Vaginal surgery using mesh and a VSD is an effective procedure for pelvic organ prolapse. However, further studies are required to establish the role of the surgery described in this study.     

Vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising in vaginal endometriosis: a case report and literature review

Presented here is the seventh reported case of vaginal endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising in vaginal endometriosis. This case has unique features. There is no evidence of endometriosis elsewhere, and the only metastasis is seen in one obturator lymph node. Thorough preoperative and intraoperative evaluation is stressed.     

Transabdominal partial vaginal resection and infundibulopelvic colpopexy for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

OBJECTIVE: To assess abdominal partial resection of the vagina and infundibulopelvic colpopexy in women with posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: After laparotomy, the elongated vaginal wall was resected, and sutures with absorbable surgical suture material were used to close the vagina, which was suspended by the sutures placed into the infundibulopelvic, sacrouterine and round ligaments. The surgical site was covered and elevated by the overlapping peritoneum. Over 15 years (July 1990-July 2005), the procedure was performed on 74 women (aged 28-84 years; mean age at the time of surgery, 58.5 years) due to vaginal eversion developing after abdominal (24 cases) or vaginal (39) hysterectomy, supravaginal amputation (4) or abdominal colpopexy (7). RESULTS: Perioperative complications included entry into the bladder (2.6%) and transitory voiding difficulty (6.7%). There was no bowel injury. Patients were followed annually by pelvic examination; in 1 of 74 patients, vaginal eversion partly recurred, and a repeat colpopexy was performed. All the patients have a functional vagina without urinary incontinence, pelvic pain or other pelvic discomfort. CONCLUSION: This safe and reliable intervention should be performed only by gynecologists trained in surgery on the pelvic retroperitoneum and parametrium.     

Vaginal sacrospinous colpopexy and laparoscopic sacral colpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse

BACKGROUND: Vaginal sacrospinous colpopexy (VSC) and laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) both correct vault prolapse. The present study compares the perioperative course and long-term results of VSC and LSC. METHODS: This retrospective study of post-hysterectomy vault prolapse involved 111 patients operated with either VSC (n=51) or LSC (n=60). The median time for the postoperative follow-up visit was 33.6 (range: 13-60) months for the LSC group and 38.4 (range: 7-108) months for the VSC group. Prolapse grade as well as the patient's satisfaction was recorded at the follow-up visit. RESULTS: Operation time was significantly shorter in the VSC group (median: 62 min) compared to the LSC group (median: 129 min). The rate of perioperative complications was low in both groups. There were 3 laparotomies in the LSC group, due to perioperative complications. The inpatients days were similar, with 3.7 days (1-18) and 4.0 days (2-21) in the VSC and the LSC group, respectively. Surgery for the recurrence of vault prolapse at any time before the follow-up visit did not occur in the VSC group, but occurred in 7 patients in the LSC group. At the follow-up visit, there was no recurrence of vault prolapse in either group. The subjective success rate was 82% in the VSC and 78% in the LSC group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that VSC and LSC are two equally effective surgical procedures to correct vaginal vault prolapse, but the LSC technique requires a longer operating time.     

Ethanol sclerotherapy: a treatment option for ovarian endometriomas before ovarian stimulation

Several surgical treatment modalities have been described in cases of isolated or multiple ovarian endometriotic cysts. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate and test the efficacy of ethanol sclerotherapy (EST) for recurrent endometriotic cysts, before ovarian stimulation in infertile patients with an adequate ovarian status. In the setting of a prospective comparative study, EST was proposed to 31 infertile patients with recurrence of ovarian endometriomas before inclusion in assisted reproduction cycles. Reproductive outcome was compared with that of patients who had previous laparoscopic cystectomy for recurrent endometriomas. The mean size of endometriomas treated with sclerotherapy was 38.6 ± 11.2 mm in diameter. Ovarian cysts recurred in 12.9% of cases; at a mean time of 10 months after EST. Ovarian reserve and ovarian response to stimulation were better in the EST group than in the control group. Consequently, clinical and cumulative pregnancy rates of the study group were higher than those of the control group (48.3% versus 19.2%, P = 0.04; and 55.2% versus 26.9%, P = 0.03, respectively). Ethanol sclerotherapy may be a good alternative to surgical management of recurrent endometriotic cysts before assisted reproductive treatment. It could be advised for selected infertile patients.     

Limited segmental anterior rectal resection for the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis: pain and complications

The aim of this cohort study was to assess the long-term response, complications and quality of life in patients undergoing segmental anterior rectal resection for endometriosis. The subjects consisted of patients who have undergone a segmental anterior rectal resection for endometriosis in the setting of a tertiary referral unit for the management of severe endometriosis. The data were obtained by means of a case note review and patient questionnaire. The main outcome measures were surgical complications and overall subjective improvement. Dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, dyschezia and chronic daily pain were measured using a visual analogue scale. Twenty-one anterior resections were performed by laparotomy and 24 by laparoscopy. There was no complication in 64% of the cases, and 83% of patients felt that their pain had resolved completely or was greatly improved. The Mean Self-Rated Health Status was significantly lower in the study group than in the general population. Deeply infiltrating endometriosis was confirmed in 92% of rectal specimens. Based on these results, we conclude that segmental anterior rectal resection is a relatively safe procedure for very severe rectovaginal endometriosis and also a very effective treatment.     

Laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation versus vaginal uterosacral ligament resection in postmenopausal women with intractable midline chronic pelvic pain: a randomized study

Objective

To assess and compare the laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation (LUNA) and the vaginal uterosacral ligament resection (VUSR) in postmenopausal women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

Study design

Eighty postmenopausal women with intractable and severe midline CPP were randomized to undergo LUNA or VUSR. Costs of two surgical procedures were assesses. Cure rate, severity of CPP, and deep dyspareunia were also evaluated after 6 and 12 months from surgery.

Results

The mean cost of LUNA resulted significantly higher in comparison with VURS (2078 ± 637 versus 1497 ± 297, P < 0.001). The cure rate was not significantly different between the two groups at 6 (33/40, 82.5% versus 35/40, 87.5% for groups A and B, respectively; P = 0.530; RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.78–1.13), and 12 months (27/36, 75.0% versus 28/38, 73.7%, for groups A and B, respectively; P = 0.901; RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.78–1.33) of follow-up. At same times, a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in severity of CPP and deep dyspareunia was observed in both groups with no difference between them.

Conclusions

Both LUNA and VUSR are equally effective surgical treatments in postmenopausal women with central CPP but VUNR is significantly cheaper than LUNA.     

Vaginal evisceration after hysterectomy: the repair by a laparoscopic and vaginal approach with a omental flap

BACKGROUND: Vaginal evisceration is generally repaired by vaginal or abdominal route. We describe two cases of vaginal evisceration using a combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach employing an omental flap. CASES: Case 1: A radical abdominal hysterectomy was performed in a premenopausal patient for a FIGO IB1 cervical cancer. Four months later, she was found to have a vaginal cuff dehiscence which was repaired by a vaginal approach. Two months later, she had a vaginal cuff evisceration which was repaired using a combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach employing an omental flap with good success. Case 2: A postmenopausal woman who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for a FIGO IB endometrial cancer was noted to have a vaginal evisceration two months after primary surgery. This was also successfully repaired using a combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach employing an omental flap. CONCLUSION: The combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach with omental flap is effective for repair of a vaginal cuff dehiscence with bowel evisceration. The addition of laparoscopy provides an opportunity for inspection of the small bowel, the peritoneal toilet, and mobilization of an omental flap.