Modified robotic ventral rectopexy with folded single titanized mesh suspension for the treatment of complex pelvic...

The incidence of complex pelvic organ prolapse in female patients is about 38%, and this disorder entails social and sexual restrictions. Treatment for this disorder is complex because it can enhance other, latent, problems. The aim of the present study is to describe a new robotic-assisted technique to simultaneously treat prolapses of different compartments with the use of a single titanized polypropylene mesh.

All patients referred from January 2018 to March 2019 to the Proctologic and Pelvic Floor Clinical Centre who were affected by complex pelvic organ prolapse underwent modified robotic ventral rectopexy with a folded single mesh (RVR-FSM). The anatomical and functional outcomes were respectively evaluated using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) grading system and Wexner scores of constipation and incontinence. The satisfaction rate was investigated using a five-point scale (1 = not satisfied to 5 = extremely satisfied).

Twenty-two women underwent RVR-FSM with a homogeneous follow-up of 12 months. The mean total operation time was 148 min, without any robot-related or other intraoperative complications. No mesh-related complications occurred. The POP-Q grade improved for every patient, with complete resolution of bulging symptoms in 21 patients (95.4%) at 1 year of follow-up. The Wexner constipation score showed a significant improvement, while the incontinence score slightly improved at 1 year after surgery.

The use of a single mesh that can be folded was shown to provide significant improvement in functional and anatomical results associated with patient satisfaction. The robotic approach allows surgeons to perform an easier procedure with correct and deep mesh fixation.