Outcome of transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery with Prolift after a median of 2 years' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study seeks to analyze the medium- to long-term outcome of transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery using the Prolift™ system for pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: Sixty-five patients who underwent pelvic floor reconstruction using Prolift™ were followed for 1 to 3 years postoperatively. Assessment included pre- and postoperative Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stage, Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) scores. RESULTS: The overall anatomic success rate was 97% after a median of 24.5 months and 94% for the 34 women followed for more than 2 years. POP-Q stage, UDI-6, and IIQ-7 scores all improved significantly after surgery. Complications included one bladder perforation (1.5%) and one bowel perforation (1.5%), prolonged catheterization in four patients (6%), and mesh erosion in one (2%). Eight received blood transfusion (12%). CONCLUSIONS: Prolift™ surgery yielded a good anatomical outcome and satisfactory symptom improvement that appeared to be durable after 2 years.

Short term impact on female sexual function of pelvic floor reconstruction with the Prolift procedure.

INTRODUCTION: The Prolift system is an effective and safe procedure using mesh reinforcement for vaginal reconstruction of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but its effect on sexual function is unclear. AIM: To evaluate the impact of transvaginal pelvic reconstruction with Prolift on female sexual function at 6 months post-operatively. METHODS: Thirty-three sexually active women who underwent Prolift mesh pelvic floor reconstruction for symptomatic POP were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery. Their sexual function was assessed by using the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12) before and after surgery. The quality of life was also evaluated with the short forms of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) as a control for efficacy of the procedure. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system was used to evaluate the degree of prolapse. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PISQ-12 scores at 6 months post-operatively. RESULTS: The total PISQ-12 score decreased from 29.5 +/- 9.0 to 19.3 +/- 14.7 (P < 0.001), indicating worsening of sexual function 6 months post-operatively. The behavioral, physical, and partner-related domains of PISQ-12 were each significantly reduced (5.2 +/- 3.7 vs. 2.9 +/- 3.7, P = 0.016; 15.4 +/- 4.7 vs. 10.4 +/- 8.6, P = 0.001; 8.9 +/- 3.8 vs. 6.4 +/- 5.5, P = 0.01, respectively). UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores were significantly improved at the 6-month follow-up, as was anatomic recovery. Of the 33 subjects, 24 (73%) had worse sexual function 6 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The Prolift procedure provided an effective anatomic cure of POP, but it had an adverse effect on sexual function at 6 months after surgery.

Functional and anatomic assessments for transobturator vaginal tape inside-out operation for urodynamic stress incontinence.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess by urodynamic study and chain urethrocystography the functional and anatomic changes before and after transobturator vaginal tape inside-out (TVT-O) operation. METHODS: From January 2005 to February 2006, 35 women were enrolled who had urodynamic stress incontinence, with or without intrinsic sphincter deficiency, and had undergone TVT-O with regular follow-up. Investigations, including pelvic examination, pad test, urodynamic study, chain urethrocystography and questionnaire with short forms of Urogenital Distress Inventory and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, were performed pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 12.8 months. The subjective and objective cure rates were 80 and 71.4%, respectively. The maximal urethral pressure was significantly decreased (from 67.0 to 58.9 cmH(2)O) after surgery and bladder neck mobility was reduced. Quality of life assessment revealed significant improvement after TVT-O. CONCLUSION: TVT-O is an effective operation for female urodynamic stress incontinence. Improved postoperative bladder neck mobility showed anatomic correction, indicating a hammock effect. The decreased maximal urethral pressure may reflect neurogenic damage during surgery; thus, minimal dissection and avoidance of unnecessary dissection to prevent periurethral damage are advised.

Transvaginal repair of ureterovaginal fistula by Latzko technique.

Ureterovaginal fistula is an uncommon but serious sequela of unrecognized distal ureteral injury during pelvic operations. Traditionally, it is managed either by endoscopic internal ureteral stenting or by ureteral reimplantation. We report a case of ureterovaginal fistula that failed to respond to ureteral stenting. Because the patient had a history of several laparotomies and intra-abdominal abscesses, she was at high risk for complications with a transabdominal operation. Therefore, we used transvaginal Latzko partial colpocleisis and successfully resolved the ureterovaginal fistula.