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Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 10/2019

01-10-2019 | Original Article

Severe pelvic organ prolapse. Is there a long-term cure?

Authors: Stavros Athanasiou, Dimitrios Zacharakis, Athanasios Protopapas, Eleni Pitsouni, Dimitrios Loutradis, Themos Grigoriadis

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 10/2019

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Vaginally assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (VALS) is a combined vaginal and laparoscopic surgical approach that has been described for the treatment of women with a uterus who suffer from severe multicompartmental pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term anatomical and functional outcomes and report the long-term mesh-related complications.

Methods

This was a single-center prospective study of women with advanced POP who underwent VALS with at least 3 years of follow-up. The primary outcome was “composite surgical success” defined as: (1) no descent of the vaginal apex (point C) more than one-third into the vaginal canal and no anterior or posterior vaginal wall beyond the hymen (Ba and Bp < 0) (anatomical success), (2) no vaginal bulge symptoms and (3) no re-treatment for prolapse recurrence.

Results

The median follow-up was 7 years (range 3–10 years) with a composite surgical success rate of 95.7% (90/94). Failures (4.3%) included one (1.1%) case of anatomical recurrence (Bp: +1), one woman (1.1%) reporting vaginal bulge symptoms and two women (2.1%) who underwent a posterior colporrhaphy 6 and 12 months after primary surgery (reoperation rate: 2.1%). Two of 94 patients (2.1%) had been treated for mesh extrusion of the vaginal cuff prior to the follow-up visit.

Conclusions

The combined VALS technique can be considered a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of severe POP allowing a long-term anatomical restoration of all compartments with excellent functional outcomes.
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Metadata
Title
Severe pelvic organ prolapse. Is there a long-term cure?
Authors
Stavros Athanasiou
Dimitrios Zacharakis
Athanasios Protopapas
Eleni Pitsouni
Dimitrios Loutradis
Themos Grigoriadis
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 10/2019
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3775-3

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