Long term follow-up after minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a benign condition that can adversely affect women's quality of life. Minimally invasive mesh sacrocolpopexy is an effective surgical treatment for POP. This study aims to assess the perioperative, postoperative, and long term (10 years) outcome of a single institution cohort undergoing minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy.

This retrospective study included all cases of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy performed between 2003 and 2016. Patients were contacted by phone in 2022 for long term follow-up. Data on operative time, length of hospital stay, conversion rate, perioperative injuries, early and late postoperative complications and subjective success rates were collected.

Ninety-five patients were included aged 60±12 years. Most patients (72%) presented grade 3 POP. Grade of prolapse (3±0.4 vs 3±0.5, p<0.01) and hospital stay (3±1.1 vs 3.1±1.7; p<0.01) were significantly higher in patients who developed early postoperative complications (1^st year). At long term follow-up (12±3 years), 48 patients responded. Nine subjects (19%) presented a subjective recurrence with bulge symptoms. Surgery satisfaction was of 79%. The most frequent de novo reported symptom was urge urinary incontinence followed by stress urinary incontinence. Three cases (3%) of mesh erosion were described, all occurred after the 5th postoperative year.

Laparoscopic mesh sacrocolpopexy is a safe surgical technique that shows satisfying and consistent long-term results despite the occasional onset of new urinary symptoms.