Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Pelvic Prolapse Treatment with a Non-Mesh Approach using Laparoscopic Pectopexy
Published on: October 25, 2024
Prospective Multicenter Registry Study on Sacropexy Using the Semitendinosus Tendon for Apical Prolapse Repair: An
Dr Med C Schröder1, Prof Dr Med A Hornemann2, Dr Med V Engler2
1Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology (Schröder, Tascón Padrón, Ralser, Egger, Otten, Mustea, and Koensgen), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Study Objective:
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects more than 40% of parous women. This registry study evaluates clinical and patient-reported outcomes of minimally invasive sacropexy using the autologous semitendinosus tendon for apical prolapse repair.
Design:
Prospective multicenter registry interim analysis.
Setting:
Six centers for minimally invasive pelvic floor surgery in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Participants:
Patients with symptomatic apical POP (POP-Q ≥1) undergoing laparoscopic or robotic-assisted sacropexy between March 2023 and September 2025 (n = 514).
Interventions:
Sacropexy was performed using an autologous semitendinosus tendon graft.
Measurements And Main Results:
Outcomes were assessed at discharge, 3 months (FU3), and 12 months (FU12) using POP-Q staging and the validated German Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (GPFQ). Anatomical correction (POP-Q points Ba, Bp, C), complication rates, reoperation for POP, and patient-reported pelvic floor symptoms (GPFQ). Median age was 62 years and median BMI 24.2 kg/m²; 8.9% had previous POP surgery. Mean tendon harvesting time was 7 minutes and mean hospital stay 4 days. Intraoperative complications occurred in 3.5% and postoperative complications in 5.3%. POP-Q points Ba, Bp, and C improved significantly at all follow-ups (all p <.05). Reoperation for POP occurred in 3.9% by FU12 without clinically relevant apical recurrence. All GPFQ domains improved significantly (total score 12.3 preoperatively vs. 4.5 at FU3 and 5.4 at FU12; p <.001). Stress urinary incontinence symptoms decreased significantly.
Conclusions:
Autologous semitendinosus sacropexy is a safe minimally invasive alternative to mesh-based repair, providing excellent anatomical outcomes and significant quality-of-life improvement at mid-term follow-up.
