Significant Improvement in Quality of Life, Positive Effect on Sexuality, Lasting Reconstructive Result and Low Rate of Complications Following Cystocele Correction Using a Lightweight, Large-Pore, Titanised Polypropylene Mesh

Introduction Patients who suffer from pelvic organ prolapse can experience severe limitations in their quality of life. To improve the quality of life of women affected and achieve a stable reconstruction, surgical therapy is often indispensable. In conventional prolapse surgery, the rate of recurrence is high. For this reason, alloplastic mesh has been implanted increasingly in recent years to reconstruct the anatomy of the pelvic floor organs. Even if the anatomical result can be significantly improved as a result, the mesh-induced complications have been the subject of controversial discussion. In this national, multicentre study, the quality of life, anatomical result as well as the rate of complications following the implantation of an alloplastic mesh for the correction of a cystocele were investigated. Method Fifty-four patients with symptomatic ≥ grade II were included in this prospective, national, multicentre study. The study participants were implanted with a titanised polypropylene mesh (TiLOOP® PRO A, pfm medical ag). The follow-up observation period was 12 months. Primary as well as repeat procedures were taken into account. The anatomic result of the pelvic floor reconstruction was quantified using the POP-Q system. Data on quality of life and sexuality were collected using validated questionnaires. All complications which occurred were documented and evaluated by an independent committee. Results On average, the patients were in line with the census. An improvement in quality of life was able to be determined during the study in all domains investigated (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Minus incorrect entries and incorrect reports, a total of 19 reports of adverse events in 15 patients were evaluated by the end of the study. The rate of recurrence in the anterior compartment was 4.3%. Conclusion In the reconstruction of the anatomical position of the pelvic floor organs given the presence of a symptomatic cystocele, the implantation of a third-generation alloplastic mesh achieves very good results. Affected patients benefit from the anatomical stability as well as a significant improvement in quality of life, whereby the risks are justifiable.

Quality of Life, Sexuality, Anatomical Results and Side-effects of Implantation of an Alloplastic Mesh for Cystocele Correction at Follow-up after 36 Months

Introduction Pelvic organ prolapse can significantly reduce quality of life of affected women, with many cases requiring corrective surgery. The rate of recurrence is relatively high after conventional prolapse surgery. In recent years, alloplastic meshes have increasingly been implanted to stabilize the pelvic floor, which has led to considerable improvement of anatomical results. But the potential for mesh-induced risks has led to a controversial discussion on the use of surgical meshes in urogynecology. The impact of cystocele correction and implantation of an alloplastic mesh on patientsʼ quality of life/sexuality and the long-term stability of this approach were investigated. Method In a large prospective multicenter study, 289 patients with symptomatic cystocele underwent surgery with implantation of a titanized polypropylene mesh (TiLOOP® Total 6, pfm medical ag) and followed up for 36 months. Both primary procedures and procedures for recurrence were included in the study. Anatomical outcomes were quantified using the POP-Q system. Quality of life including sexuality were assessed using the German version of the validated P-QoL questionnaire. All adverse events were assessed by an independent clinical event committee. Results Mean patient age was 67 ± 8 years. Quality of life improved significantly over the course of the study in all investigated areas, including sexuality and personal relationships (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). The number of adverse events which occurred in the period between 12 and 36 months after surgery was low, with just 22 events reported. The recurrence rate for the anterior compartment was 4.5%. Previous or concomitant hysterectomy increased the risk of recurrence in the posterior compartment 2.8-fold and increased the risk of erosion 2.25-fold. Conclusion Cystocele correction using a 2nd generation alloplastic mesh achieved good anatomical and functional results in cases requiring stabilization of the pelvic floor and in patients with recurrence. The rate of recurrence was low, the patientsʼ quality of life improved significantly, and the risks were acceptable.

One stage implant-based reconstruction of the breast in a single patient: comparison between mesh and modified dual plane technique

Acellular dermal matrix and similar meshes are used in breast reconstruction to cover the inferior implant pocket. We considered whether using a modified dual-plane technique in immediate breast reconstruction could improve the outcome when compared with mesh reconstruction. The paper presents a case of a patient who underwent one-stage bilateral immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) with 470 g implants, using alloplastic mesh in one side and the composed dual-plane pocket in the other. In the case described, the composed dual plane technique gave a better result in terms of absence of rippling and smoother surface at the palpation; the mesh coverage gave a better inframammary contour. Our case suggests that the modified dual-plane technique gives a satisfactory cosmetic outcome. It also reduces costs and avoids mesh-related complications. This technique should therefore be considered as an option to the mesh in implant-based breast reconstruction.

Large lateral thoracic defect by chondrosarcoma resection chest wall reconstruction using myocutaneous latissimus dorsal flap without parietal rigid repair

ABSTRACTA case of a 66 year-old women, with a large chondrosarcoma arising from right lateral chest wall is presented. Parietal pleura, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th ribs (lateral arch), underlying muscle, subcutaneous tissues and the right breast were also involved by the tumor. Surgical resection was planned including skin, right breast, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th lateral rib arches and parietal pleura; a wide defect was created with exposure of lung. Reconstruction was planned by means of an extensive myocutaneous dorsal flap pedicled on right thoracodorsal vessels; alloplastic mesh for parietal chest wall reconstruction was not used. Two years postoperative results showed no local recurrence and excellent aesthetic and functional results were evident; respiratory function remained unaltered.The progressive rigidity reached by the reconstructed lateral chest wall, allowed us to conclude that the use of myocutaneous flap is enough to avoid paradoxical respiratory movements and any type of alloplastic mesh is unnecessary.