The "Repeat Colpocleisis": A Literature Review and Case Report

Colpocleisis is a surgical procedure intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Compared with other modes of pelvic reconstructive surgery, colpocleisis is associated with lower morbidity and higher satisfaction, and has a success rate of 91-100% and a reoperation rate of less than 2%. However, there is limited information on how to treat recurrent prolapse after colpocleisis.

We performed a review of the existing literature regarding colpocleisis failure and retreatment. A total of 118 articles were reviewed, with 16 articles suitable for inclusion. We also describe a case from our own institution of a "repeat colpocleisis" for recurrent prolapse after previous colpocleisis.

"Repeat colpocleisis" was the most common surgical technique used (18 out of 24 patients, 75.0%). The median follow-up time after the repeat surgery was 12 months, with only 1 patient with recurrence reported owing to recurrent rectocele 2 years after surgery, treated successfully with perineorrhaphy. Other less common techniques included perineorrhaphy, reversal of colpocleisis with native tissue repair, and vaginal hysterectomy with vaginal repair. Our case report describes the surgical management of a patient who had previously undergone LeFort colpocleisis with recurrence of prolapse, subsequently undergoing repeat colpocleisis.

The colpocleisis failure, though rare, presents a surgical challenge owing to both its rarity and the paucity of information in the literature regarding the optimal mode of management. In this review, the most common technique for surgical management of colpocleisis failure was repeat colpocleisis, with good short-term success rates noted. Additional studies with longer-term follow-up are needed.