Comparison of transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation with abdominal sacrocolpopexy in treatment of post-hysterectomy vault prolapse-a prospective randomized study

Background: Vaginal vault prolapse is a common condition following abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy causing negative impact on women’s quality of life. The study compares the efficacy of abdominal and vaginal route surgery in correcting post-hysterectomy vault prolapse by postoperative assessment and at least twelve months follow up.Methods: A prospective comparative study among post-hysterectomy patients attending the GOPD of Midnapore Medical College diagnosed as vaginal vault prolapse at least stage2 between January 2013 to December 2019. The study population included 31 women divided into two groups-group A included 16 women underwent unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSF) and group B included 15 women underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC).Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean age, mean weight, mean parity and BMI, hence both groups are comparable. The mean operating time was 117±19.68 min in ASC group and 83.25±11.28 min in SSF group (p<0.005); significant mean blood loss was reported in ASC group (373±97.79 ml in ASC group versus 193.125±98.97 ml in SSF group, p<0.005), more hospital stays in ASC group (p<0.005) and more post operative complications in ASC group than SSF group. At follow up, the mean vaginal length showed significantly longer for ASC group than that of SSF group (p<0.005).Conclusions: ASC and SSF, both techniques are effective in management of vault prolapse in hands of an expert though recovery time is much quicker in SSF group.

Biologic Graft Augmentation of Anterior Mesh Erosion Complicated by Poor Wound Healing Secondary to Heavy Tobacco Use

(1) Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is common among post-menopausal women affecting more than 25% in their lifetime—with 11% having a lifetime risk of undergoing an operation for a POP. In April 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took surgical mesh for transvaginal use off the market due to safety and effectiveness concerns. This leaves colporrhaphy or colporrhaphy with bio-graft options for a POP surgical repair. (2) Case: In this report, we look at a case with anterior mesh erosion complicated by poor wound healing secondary to heavy tobacco use and how it was successfully removed and augmented with a Coloplast axis allograft dermis biological graft secured with an Anchorsure sacrospinous ligament/arcus tendineus fascia pelvis fixation device and prolene suture. (3) Results: After failing two prior surgeries to rectify the mesh erosion, a final procedure was performed using a biologic dermal graft and a double-layer closure to aid in protecting and increasing the integrity of the tissue. (4) Conclusions: Collectively, the patient and her surgeries highlight the difficult nature of complete mesh removal and how tobacco use can significantly affect the proper healing of surgical sites. The number of surgeries necessary to address the patient’s chief complaint and the resolution of her symptoms with the biologic graft supports the challenges one faces with mesh removal and poor wound healing secondary to tobacco use. This case illustrates that complicated transvaginal mesh erosion should initially be augmented with a biologic dermal graft secured via sacrospinous ligament/arcus tendineus fascia pelvis fixation and double-layer closure and not only if visible mesh removal alone fails.

Sacrospinous colpopexy versus McCall’s culdoplasty during vaginal hysterectomy in stage 3 and 4 prolapse for prevention of vault prolapse

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition seen in women due to weakening of support of pelvic organs. Different surgical procedures have been adopted for suspension of vaginal vault during vaginal hysterectomy to restore vault to near normal anatomic position as preventive measures for vault prolapse. The aim of study was to compare the efficacy of the McCall’s culdoplasty and sacrospinous ligament colpopexy in stage 3 and 4 prolapse (POP-Q).Methods: This prospective study comprised 100 women presenting with stage 3 and 4 prolapse (POP-Q). They were divided into two equal groups of 50 each. The patients were randomized to undergo McCall’s culdoplasty (Group A) or sacrospinous ligament fixation (Group B) with vaginal hysterectomy based on note contained in an envelope comparative analysis was done, and patients were evaluated for intra-operative difficulties and immediate (48 hours) post-operative complications using SPSS-version 23 for statistical analysis. The patients were followed up at one month and one year to evaluate symptomatically and objectively.Results: In group A, patients with 3-degree prolapse 1 woman had hemorrhage and 1 woman had bladder injury intraoperatively. Whereas in group B, 5 women had hemorrhage and 1 woman had rectal injury intraoperatively. All complications were dealt successfully. No other major intra- and post-operative complications occurred.Conclusions: Vaginal hysterectomy with sacrospinous colpopexy resulted in better outcomes after surgery. Hence, it was concluded that unilateral or bilateral SSLF may be added to vaginal hysterectomy in patients of stage 3 or 4 prolapse.