Transvaginal Resection of an Infected Sacrocolpopexy Mesh by Single-Port Trocar

Laparoscopy using a single port improves morbidity while keeping the same level of requirement. This technique has been evaluated in gynecology for salpingectomy, ovarian surgery, and hysterectomy. Here, the authors illustrate a new use of a single port using the transvaginal approach.

Case report (Canadian Task Force classification III).

Tertiary referral center in Strasbourg, France.

Woman age 59 years.

Single-port platform used in the transvaginal approach for resection of sacrocolpopexy mesh. The local institutional review board approved the video.

A 59-year-old woman suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes and a tobacco user had 2 laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies for recurrent rectocele, the first in 2007 and the second in 2012. The sequences were marked by mesh erosion and granuloma in the vagina, requiring its surgical excision in 2016. The patient was then symptomatic, with an increasingly foul-smelling vaginal discharge with recurrent mesh erosion. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an abscess formation along the length of the mesh to the promontory. The patient then underwent surgery, realized under probabilistic antibiotic therapy, consisting of complete excision of the sacrocolpopexy mesh by the transvaginal approach. After putting the single-port trocar (GelPoint; Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) into the vagina and obtaining distension with the insufflator (AirSeal; Conmed, Utica, NY), classic laparoscopic instruments were introduced by the single-port trocar. The mesh was entirely resected in the retroperitoneal space. Mesh was again used because the exposed space is almost always surrounded by loose granulation tissue that facilitates dissection and also prevents injury to adjacent structures such as bladder, rectum, and peritoneum. Moreover, the opening of adjacent structures will manifest gas leaks and, consequently, loss of the pneumovagina. At the end of procedure, the vagina is not closed to permit optimal drainage with a multitubular drain in the dissection space. The surgery lasted 60 minutes. The mesh excision was completed with relative ease, and there was no blood loss. Bacteriologic examination revealed the presence of Streptococcus anginosus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacteroides fragili. The operating suites were simple with great cicatrization after 6 weeks. The principal difficulties of this surgery were obtaining a good seal by the creation of cutaneous sutures. Finally, there are less conflicts between the instruments inside the single-port trocar used in transvaginally because of a more limited dissection space. Indeed, the rate of mesh erosion reached 2.4% and, in case of infection, justifies this excision.

The transvaginal use of a single-port trocar represents a good alternative, allowing easy resection of the sacrocolpopexy mesh while remaining in the retroperitoneal space.