Risk factors for mesh extrusion after prolapse surgery: a case-control study

To identify risk factors for mesh extrusion in women undergoing pelvic organ prolapse repair by abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASC) or vaginal mesh procedure (VMP).

A multicenter case-control study of patients who underwent ASC or VMP from 2006 to 2009 identified using diagnosis and procedure coding. Cases were defined as women who underwent eligible index procedure with synthetic mesh and had mesh visible through the vaginal epithelium at postoperative evaluation; controls were matched in an approximate 1:3 ratio by date and type of procedure. Two conditional logistic regression models were constructed to assess variables associated with mesh extrusion among women who underwent ASC and among women who underwent VMP.

Eighty-four cases were identified (43 cases after ASC and 41 cases after VMP), and 252 patients were matched as controls (147 patients who underwent ASC and 105 patients who underwent VMP). Concomitant hysterectomy was positively associated with mesh extrusion) among women who underwent ASC (adjusted odds ratio, 3.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-7.93; P = 0.01) and VMP (adjusted odds ratio, 3.72, 95% confidence interval, 1.20-11.54; P = 0.02). Age, race, type of vaginal incision, menopausal status, medical comorbidities, and smoking were not significantly associated with extrusion in either group.

Concomitant hysterectomy is a risk factor for mesh extrusion after ASC and VMPs. This information may be helpful during informed preoperative counseling and planning.