Robot-assisted laparoscopic sacral colpopexy: initial experience in a high-volume laparoscopic reference center

To describe the surgical technique of robot-assisted sacral colpopexy (RASCP) and to assess its feasibility and safety in a high-volume laparoscopic center.

12 women with symptomatic urogenital prolapse with or without concomitant urinary stress incontinence were treated with RASCP by one surgeon at our institution. The preoperative workup involved a detailed urologica and gynecologic history and physical examination to determine the type, the degree of the prolapse and the presence of concomitant stress urinary incontinence.

Mean operative time was 144 minutes (range 120-180 min). No conversion to a laparoscopic or open procedure was necessary. The mean patient age was 57.1 years old (range 44-79). The mean estimated blood loss was 60 mL (range 20-200 mL). The mean catheterization time was 2 days, and the mean hospital stay was 3.4 days (range 3-4 d). At a mean follow-up of 19.1 months (range 8-28 mos), no recurrence of the prolapse occurred.

RASCP for treatment of patients with urogenital prolapse is a feasible alternative to open and laparoscopic procedures. It procures an anatomic repositioning of the pelvic organs. The short-term results and the complication rates are similar with gold standard techniques.