Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pelvic Prolapse Treatment with a Non-Mesh Approach using Laparoscopic Pectopexy
Published on: October 25, 2024
Long-Term Outcomes After Vaginal and Laparoscopic Mesh Hysteropexy for Uterovaginal Prolapse: A Parallel Cohort Study
Jocelyn J Fitzgerald1, Eric R Sokol2, Charles R Rardin3
1From the Georgetown University School of Medicine/MedStar Health, Washington, DC.
Importance:
Data on long-term mesh hysteropexy outcomes are limited. This study provides 7-year data from the original VAULT (Vaginal and Laparoscopic Mesh Hysteropexy for Uterovaginal Prolapse Trial) study.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes and success for laparoscopic sacral hysteropexy (LSHP) and vaginal mesh hysteropexy (VMHP).
Study Design:
This multicenter, prospective parallel cohort was an extension to the initial VAULT study. Subjects were contacted, and informed consent was obtained. We collected baseline demographics and the latest Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification examination data from chart review and conducted telephone interviews to update demographic information and collect Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short-Form, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, prolapse reoperation/pessary use, and complications. Surgical success was defined as no bulge symptoms, satisfaction score of "very much better" or "much better," and no reoperation/pessary use.
Results:
Five of 8 original sites enrolled 53 subjects (LSHP n = 34 and VMHP n = 19). The LSHP group was younger (67 vs 74, P < 0.01), but there were no differences in parity, body mass index, menopause, race, insurance, tobacco use, or Charlson Comorbidity Index. The median subjective follow-up was 7.3 ± 0.9 years. Composite success was 82% LSHP versus 74% VMHP. Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Short-Form composite scores were similar at baseline and improved for both groups (P < 0.01) with lower bother observed in the LSHP group (20.8 vs 43.8, P = 0.01). There were no differences in complications.
Conclusions:
Over 7 years after surgery, LSHP and VMHP have high success, low retreatment, and low complication rates that did not differ between groups. Although there is a trend toward better anatomic support in the LSHP group, these findings were not significant and we are underpowered to detect a difference.
