Transvaginal and transobturator autologous vaginal tape cystocele treatment: About an uncommon case

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) significantly impairs women's quality of life. The literature reports that nearly one in five women will require surgery in their lifetime, and nearly 40.6% involve anterior wall repair, specifically cystocele. Several techniques and surgical approaches have been used for cystocele management. These were performed by transvaginal and/or transabdominal approach and involved the use of native tissue or prosthesis. Nevertheless, since the transvaginal mesh ban recommended by the FDA and learned societies, autologous tissue repair has become the cornerstone of all vaginal prolapse surgery.

We hereby present the case of a 71-year-old widow who had undergone three vaginal deliveries. The patient reported that she no longer had sexual intercourse. The preoperative functional signs observed included: stress urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, dysuria and disabling vaginal ball feeling. The management strategy chosen in consultation with the patient was a repair using autologous material via the vaginal route. The vaginal strips were passed through trans-obturator and retro pubic route allowed support of the bladder.

This technique using autologous material was easy, fast and inexpensive. It was developed on the basis of the TVT and TOT techniques and stood out for its tolerance and long-lasting functional effectiveness. It avoids all the complications due to polypropylene trans-vaginal prostheses that led to the banning of trans-vaginal mesh.