Short-term outcome analysis of total pelvic reconstruction with mesh: the vaginal approach

We describe our experience with transvaginal total pelvic reconstruction using a mesh with 4-point fixation for patients with genitourinary prolapse with or without stress urinary incontinence.

A total of 29 consecutive patients who underwent sacrospinous fixation using mesh material since March 1999 for genitourinary prolapse were analyzed retrospectively. In all patients defect specific repair was done, including hysterectomy (in 13). For isolated vault prolapse a rectangular mesh was interposed between the peritoneum and vaginal vault, with each corner anchored to the sacrospinous ligament using a suture-capturing device. For vault prolapse associated with anterior vaginal wall prolapse an "H" shaped, 1-piece sling was used to support both entities. Additionally, posterior and perineal repairs were done through separate incisions if needed.

Of the 29 patients 19 (65.5%), 7 (26.92%) and 11 (39.29%) had associated symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency, respectively, and 79.31% had associated anterior and 44.8% had associated posterior prolapse. Average operative time was 175.6 minutes, blood loss was 340 cc and hospital stay was 2.46 days. Early adverse events following the procedure were perineal pain, vaginal discharge and irritative voiding symptoms. At 6 month followup (mean 25.14 months) mild constipation and dyspareunia were encountered in a small subset of patients. Two patients (6.89%) have genital prolapse recurrence and none has reported erosion or nonhealing to date.

Transvaginal technique of 4-point vaginal vault fixation using mesh is a safe and effective procedure at 2 years.