Vaginal Sacral Colpopexy: A Natural Orifice Approach to a Gold Standard Procedure

A transvaginal approach to sacral colpopexy has a natural appeal to those interested in minimally invasive pelvic reconstructive surgery. Development of an effective technique has been frustrated because of the technical difficulty of confining the dissection and placement of mesh to the retroperitoneal space. The objective of this prospective study is to describe the technique and report the outcomes of a transvaginal, retroperitoneal sacral colpopexy.

Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force Design classification II-2).

Urogynecology of Southern Alabama private practice.

Women with stage 2 or greater apical prolapse.

Surgical repair of apical prolapse using vaginal sacral colpopexy.

Over a 1-year period, 15 posthysterectomy patients with stage 2 or greater vaginal prolapse were recruited and consented to vaginal sacral colpopexy. Primary outcome was success of the repair, with success defined as a combination of objective and subjective parameters using pelvic organ prolapse quantification measures, and quality of life questionnaires. Secondary outcomes were complications and operating time. One case converted to a native tissue repair. The vaginal sacral colpopexy was completed in the remaining 14. Eleven patients have been followed for 1 year or longer. Two patients did not return after their 6-week examination because of chronic illness. They were contacted by telephone over 2 years after the surgery and expressed total satisfaction with the operation and the outcome. One patient was seen at 3 months and was noted to have an excellent anatomic result; however, a pelvic organ prolapse quantification evaluation was not done. She has been totally lost to further follow-up. There was 1 mechanical failure in which the titanium tacks securing the apex to the anterior longitudinal ligament dislodged and a second case with a stage 2 posterior compartment defect. One incidental cystotomy, and 1 incidental proctotomy occurred. These were both small, remote from the site of the vaginal mesh, and did not prevent completion of the procedure. There were no mesh-related complications. Mean operating time was 123 minutes.

In this small pilot study, a transvaginal retroperitoneal sacral colpopexy is described and is demonstrated to be feasible and safe. Based on the experience gained, changes in technique have been implemented to prevent future mechanical tack failures. Assuming that these changes will be successful in preventing apical recurrence due to dislodgement of mesh from the anterior longitudinal ligament, a larger study is planned to determine efficacy. Inherent advantages of the transvaginal approach are discussed, including a favorable morbidity profile, full access to all compartments, short operating times, and decreased costs.