Vaginal vault reconstruction and apical sling in the treatment of post-hysterectomy prolapsE

Introduction. Frequency of vaginal vault prolapse (VVP) requiring surgical repair is up to 6-8% and 11.6-45% in patients with prior hysterectomy for uterine prolapse. Reported recurrence rate of VVP following different techniques of surgical correction is up to 10%.Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of the novel technique: bilateral sacrospinous fixation of reconstructed vaginal wall (neocervix) by monofilament polypropylene apical sling (Urosling 1; Lintex, Saint Petersburg, Russia) in surgical treatment of VVP.Methods. This prospective study involved 61 women suffering from post-hysterectomy prolapse. To evaluate the results of surgical treatment, data of a vaginal examination (POP-Q), uroflowmetry, bladder ultrasound, validated questionnaires were used. All listed parameters were determined before the surgery and at control examinations in 1, 6, 12 months after the treatment.Results. Mean operation time was 35 minutes. No cases of intraoperative damage to the bladder/rectum, as well as clinically significant bleeding were noted. 12-months anatomical cure rate (≤ stage I, POP-Q) was 100%, 94.4% and 100% for apical, anterior and posterior vaginal compartments, respectively. At 1 month of follow-up stress urinary incontinence de novo and urgency de novo were noted in 6.5% and 4.9%, respectively. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in peak flow rate was observed according to uroflowmetry. Comparison of the scores by the questionnaires revealed a significant improvement in the quality of life in the postoperative period.Conclusion. Bilateral sacrospinous fixation of reconstructed vaginal wall (neocervix) by monofilament polypropylene apical sling appears to be effective and safe method for treatment patients with vaginal vault prolapse.