Laparoscopic repair of vaginal vault prolapse by lateral suspension with mesh

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic lateral suspension using mesh reinforcement for symptomatic posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse.

We analyzed in a prospective cohort study all the women treated by laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh for symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse between January 2004 and September 2010. In this procedure, the mesh is laterally suspended to the abdominal wall, posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine. We performed systematic follow-up examinations at 4 weeks, 6 months and yearly postoperatively. Clinical evaluation of pelvic organ support was assessed by the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) grading system. Main outcome measures were recurrence rate, reoperation rate for symptomatic recurrence or de novo prolapse, mesh erosion rate, reoperation rate for mesh erosion, total reoperation rate.

Of the 73 patients seen at a mean 17.5 months follow-up, recurrent vaginal vault prolapse was registered in only one woman (success rate of 98.6 %). When considering all vaginal sites, we observed a total of 13 patients with recurrent or de novo prolapse (17.8 %). The non-previously treated posterior compartment was involved in eight cases (new appearance rate of 11 %). Of these 13 women, only 6 were symptomatic, requiring surgical management (reoperation rate for genital prolapse of 8.2 %). Four patients presented with mesh erosion into the vagina (5.5 %). Two required partial vaginal excision of the mesh in the operating room (2.7 %). There were no mesh-related infections. The total reoperation rate was 11 %.

Laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh interposition is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. This approach represents an alternative procedure to the laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.