[Sling suspension: a new technique of treating uterine prolapse]

To report a novel surgical technique of laparoscopic extraperitoneal sling suspension for uterine prolapse and evaluate its efficacy.

A total of 21 consecutive patients of symptomatic uterovaginal prolapse with POP-Q (pelvic organ prolapse quantification system) stage ≥ 2 and aged 59 (42-76) years were enrolled for this procedure between September 2011 and December 2012. In brief, uterus was suspended to anterior abdominal wall fascia using an inelastic nonabsorable mesh extraperitoneally under laparoscopic guidance. The outcomes of interest included total operative duration, estimated blood loss, surgical length of stay POP-Q score change and quality of life questionnaire in pelvic floor distress inventor [PFDI-20] and pelvic floor impact questionnaire [PFIQ-7]. Follow-ups were scheduled at 1, 6 and 12 months and then annually. Comparisons were made between at preoperation and 6 and 12 months. The surgical success was defined as both subjective cure and significant improvement of POP-Q.

This procedure was performed successfully in all patients. The estimated blood loss 10 (10-40) ml, operative duration 30 (25-90) minutes and postoperative hospital stay 1 (1-5) day. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. The median follow-up was 20 (12-26) months. There were significant improvements in POP-Q measurements of Ba and C (P < 0.01) and quality-of-life scores (P < 0.01) at 6 and 12 months. The subjective cure rate was 100% and surgical success rate at 12 months 100%.

This new sling suspension technique for uterine prolapse is safe, well-tolerated and effective so that it offers a simple alternative of laparoscopic uterine suspension.