Triple compartment prolapse: sacrocolpopexy with anterior and posterior mesh extensions

Post-hysterectomy vault prolapse may be accompanied by anterior (cystocele) and posterior (rectocele) pelvic compartment prolapse. We describe our results with sacrocolpopexy with anterior and posterior polytetrafluoroethylene mesh (SCAPM) extensions. A prospective on-going study is presented of 12 consecutive, complicated patients referred to our tertiary referral unit with a median age of 60 years (range 39-69) who underwent SCAPM between April 1997 and June 1999. All patients had a history and physical examination, International Continence Society Prolapse Staging (ICS) and pre-operative multichannel urodynamics testing with their prolapse reduced. All patients had an ICS grade 2, triple compartment prolapse or worse for inclusion into this study. The operative results were assessed with a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) for personal satisfaction and the (non-validated) St George's Hospital symptom questionnaire assessing urgency, urge incontinence, stress incontinence, splinting, digitation, sexual activity and function. All patients were reviewed during February 2002 by an independent observer (B.G. gynaecologist) no longer associated with the Department of Urogynaecology. All patients were followed post-operatively for a median of 39 months (range 32-58). One patient had a recurrent grade 1 cystocele and another a grade 1 rectocele. The median VAS score for personal satisfaction with the operative results was 8 (range 6-10). There was one patient with de novo urgency and one with de novo stress incontinence. Four of the five patients who needed to splint or digitate to empty the rectum no longer required these measures post-operatively. There were no reports of de novo dyspareunia, and two patients had improved vaginal lubrication. Two patients, each with more than five prior vaginal procedures, had a total of three episodes of mesh erosion through the posterior vaginal wall. The SCAPM is an effective treatment for triple compartment prolapse and incomplete rectal emptying. Patient satisfaction is good.