Continued multicenter followup of cadaveric prolapse repair with sling

Since our initial description of the technique of combining a transvaginal sling with a cystocele repair using solvent dehydrated cadaveric fascia lata and bone anchors we have continued to follow our outcomes closely to determine long-term results. We present the updated, multicenter results of the cadaveric prolapse repair with sling.

A total of 172 patients 35 to 90 years old (mean age 62.1) have undergone cadaveric prolapse repair with sling with a mean followup of 12.4 months (range 6 to 28). Of these patients 132 (76.7%) completed followup. Repair was performed for grade 2 cystoceles in 73 cases, grade 3 cystoceles in 43 and grade 4 cystoceles in 16. Followup included physical examination (degree of pelvic prolapse), SEAPI scores, complications, patient reported continence, perceived improvement and satisfaction. The latter 2 parameters were obtained using a validated questionnaire.

Of the 132 patients 15 (11.4%) had grade 1 and 2 (1.5%) had grade 2 cystocele recurrence, which required no further treatment, and 13 (9.8%) had recurrent or de novo apical vaginal prolapse. Preoperative and postoperative SEAPI scores were 5.58 and 0.9, respectively (p <0.001). A total of 90 patients (68.2%) do not use any pads for protection. Of the 132 patients 24 (18.2%) have stress incontinence of any degree, including 14 (10.6%) with pure stress urinary incontinence, 8 (6.0%) report de novo urge incontinence, 26 (19.7%) have persistent urge incontinence, 21 (15.9%) have any degree of urgency without urge incontinence, 28 (21.2%) report resolution of preoperative urgency or urge incontinence symptoms, 7 (5.3%) have mixed incontinence and 1 had prolonged urinary retention requiring urethrolysis. There has been 1 case of osteitis pubis and no osteomyelitis. Of the patients 94 (71.2%) reported greater than or equal to 70% subjective improvement overall, including 12 who were dry preoperatively, 99 (75.0%) were greater than or equal to 70% satisfied, 105 (79.9%) would repeat the surgery and 102 (77.4%) would recommend the surgery to a friend. With regard to continence 31 (23.8%) patients were less than or equal to 50% improved. A total of 108 (81.8%) patients have no stress urinary incontinence, and patient improvement, satisfaction and complication rates have been acceptable. We have been particularly impressed by the results of the cystocele repair. Surgeons must consider that patient perceived improvement and satisfaction level are essential components of the measure of success or failure of a given therapy.

With a maximum of 28 months of followup of the cadaveric prolapse repair with sling procedure, we continue to be satisfied with the success of the cystocele repair and the competitive stress urinary incontinence cure rate.