Preperitoneal laparoscopic lateral repair in pelvic organ prolapse - a novel approach

The aim of this study is to present a novel approach for a paravaginal defect treatment. This extraperitoneal approach can be performed in patients with comorbidities and on obese patients. The main advantages are: not requiring the pneumoperitoneum and the Trendelenburg position and the avoidance of peritoneal adhesions.

This study presents the results in 27 patients with cystocele caused by a lateral defect pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP Q) stage II or higher. The procedure was performed with a modified Richardson and Burch technique using a preperitoneal approach. Three follow-up examinations were conducted two, six weeks, and six months after the operation. A quality of life assessment was conducted before and after surgery using the short form of the PFIQ-7.

All patients had a POP Q II cystocele and 59% had concomitant stress urinary incontinence. In all patients cystocele was reduce to asymptomatic POP Q stage I or 0. Mean operation time was approximately 80 minutes. In six months post-operation follow up, one case of recurrence was noted. The patients' quality of life revealed a statistical improvement from an average of 6.8 points before, to an average of 0.7 points after the operation (p < 0.05) in the PFIQ-7.

Preperitoneal laparoscopic lateral repair is a relatively fast procedure and it is also feasible for obese women and for patients with a cardiopulmonary risk. Neither the Trendelenburg position nor the pneumoperitoneum are required. Postoperatively, the patients witnessed a reduction of the cystocele and complaints connected with their previous condition.