Management of ureteral injuries associated with vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

Due to the anatomic proximity of the urinary and genital tracts, iatrogenic ureteral injury during pelvic organ prolapse repairs is a serious complication that we have managed in increasing number at our institution. However, few centers have reported on their experience with ureteric injuries associated with gynecologic reconstructive surgery. These ureteral injuries may lead to much morbidity, in particular the formation of ureterovaginal fistula, and the potential loss of renal function especially when diagnosed postoperatively. It is necessary, therefore, for surgeons to have a thorough knowledge of ureteral anatomy and to take precautions to prevent such injuries. The purpose of this article is to review this pertinent anatomy and the key principles of management of ureteric complications of transvaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse. The present study illustrates the application of our treatment algorithm based on the time of presentation and the patient condition.     

Surgical repair of vaginal prolapse: a gynaecological hernia

Female pelvic organ prolapse refers to the descent of the pelvic organs towards or through the vagina. The similarities between vaginal prolapse and herniae in their aetiology and treatment make this an interesting area for all those operating in the pelvis. It is a common condition with prevalence estimates varying from 2% for symptomatic prolapse to 50% for asymptomatic prolapse [Samuelsson EC, Arne Victor FT, Tibblin G, Svardsudd KF. Signs of genital prolapse in a Swedish population 20 to 59 years of age and possible related factors. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:299-305]. Approximately 50% of parous women will have some degree and only 10-20% of these seek medical help [Beck RP. Pelvic relaxation prolapse. In: Kase NG, Weingold AB, editors. Principles and practice of clinical gynecology. New York: John Wiley; 1983. p. 677-85]. The lifetime risk for surgery for prolapse has been estimated to be around 11.1%, and 30% will undergo re-operation for recurrent prolapse [Olsen AL, Smith VJ, Bergstrom JO, Colling JC, Clark AL. Epidemiology of surgically managed pelvic organ prolapsed and urinary incontinence. Obstet Gynecol 1997;89:501-6]. The aetiology of prolapse is multifactorial. Advancing age, parity and collagen weakness are all quoted as significant predisposing factors [Olsen AL, Smith VJ, Bergstrom JO, Colling JC, Clark AL. Epidemiology of surgically managed pelvic organ prolapsed and urinary incontinence. Obstet Gynecol 1997;89:501-6; Maclennan AH, Taylor AW, Wilson, Wilson D. The prevalence of pelvic floor disorders and their relationship to gender, age, parity and mode of delivery. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 2000;107:1460-70]. Pathophysiological mechanisms that have been proposed include pelvic floor denervation, direct trauma to the pelvic floor musculature, abnormal synthesis and degradation of collagen and defects in endopelvic fascia [Al-Rawi ZS, Al-Rawi ZT. Joint hypermobility in women with genital prolapse. Lancet 1982;I:439-41; Gilpin SA, Gosling JA. Smith ARB, Warrell DW. The pathogenesis of genitourinary prolapse and stress incontinence in women. A histological and histochemical study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1989;96:15-23; Smith ARB, Hosker GL, Warrell DW. The role of partial denervation of the pelvic floor in the aetiology of genitourinary prolapse and stress incontinence of urine. A neurophysiological study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1989;96:24-8; Allen RE, Hosker GL, Smith ARB, Warrell DW. Pelvic floor damage and childbirth: a neurophysiological study. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1990;97:770-9]. The procedure of choice for reconstructive surgery to the vagina should be tailored to the individual patient and be of low morbidity and mortality, but at the same time with long-term durability.     

Management of vaginal vault prolapse repair with robotically-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy

Transabdominal sacrocolpopexy offers an excellent definitive treatment option for patients with high grade vaginal vault prolapse with long-term success rates ranging from 93-99%. However, because it is a transabdominal procedure it is associated with increased morbidity compared with vaginal repairs. We describe a novel minimally invasive technique of vaginal vault prolapse repair and present out initial experience. The surgical technique involves placement of five laparoscopic ports: three for the Da Vinci robot and two for the assistant. A polypropylene mesh is then attached to the sacral promontory and to the vaginal apex using Gortex sutures. At the end of the case, the mesh material is the covered by the peritoneum. We also present our initial experience with this technique in 18 consecutive patients. The analysis focused on complications, urinary continence, patient satisfaction, and morbidity. Follow-up was conducted by provider-patient interview. Twenty-five patients underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institution in the past 24 months for severe symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse. 10/25 (40%) underwent a concomitant anti-incontinence procedure. Mean follow-up was 5. (1-12) months and mean age was 66 (47-82) years. Mean total operative time was 3.2 (2.25-4.75) hours. One patient had to be converted to an open procedure secondary to unfavorable anatomy. All but one patient were discharged from the hospital after an overnight stay; one patient left on postoperative day #2. Complications were limited to mild port site infections in two patients, which resolved with oral antibiotic therapy. One patient developed recurrent grade 3 rectocele, but had no evidence of cystocele or enterocele. We present a novel technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair that combines the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the decreased morbidity and improved cosmesis of laparoscopic surgery. It is associated with decreased hospital stay, low complication and conversion rates, and high patient satisfaction. While our early experience is encouraging, long-term data is needed to confirm these findings and establish longevity of the repair.     

Overt rectal prolapse following repair of stage IV vaginal vault prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is an increasingly common problem as women are living longer. With the growing numbers of surgeries performed to correct this problem, further research is needed to understand the long-term success as well as possible complications of these procedures. One potential complication that needs further study is de novo rectal prolapse after repair of pelvic organ prolapse, specifically after colpocleisis. Defacography may be an important part of the preoperative workup in the patient with pelvic organ prolapse. Currently, there is a controversy as to whether internal, or occult, rectal prolapse on defacography should be repaired at the time of other pelvic reconstructive surgery. We report on a case of overt rectal prolapse after repair of Stage IV vaginal vault prolapse with a colpocleisis, levator ani plication, and a minimally invasive midurethral sling. We discuss the issues surrounding preoperative management of these patients and propose a theory explaining why prolapse in other areas of the pelvis may occur after reconstructive surgery.     

Patient goal attainment in vaginal prolapse repair with and without mesh

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective of this study was to describe patient-centered goals and their attainment in vaginal prolapse repair, with and without mesh.

Methods

A secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of prolapse repair with or without vaginal mesh was performed. Participants (n?=?65) selected three preoperative goals ranked by importance. At 3 and 12?months postoperatively, patients graded their goal attainment on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 5 (100?% attainment). Goal attainment was compared with anatomical outcome, symptoms, quality of life, and satisfaction scores. Nonparametric tests and the log-rank test were used to determine statistical significance (p?<?0.05).

Results

A total of 176 goals were selected. The first goal in 37 women (57?%) was improving prolapse symptoms, in 15 (23?%) urinary symptoms, in 7 (11?%) appearance, activity, and self-image, in 2 (3.1?%) bowel symptoms, and in 2 (3.1?%) sexual function. At 3 and 12?months postoperatively, goal achievement for prolapse symptoms was 96.1 and 93.6?%, for urinary symptoms 75.6 and 70.0?%, and for appearance, activity, and self-image 90.5 and 94.7?%, respectively. The effect of anatomical outcome, mesh use, or the presence of mesh erosion on goal attainment could not be demonstrated. Women who achieved their first goal had significantly better symptoms, quality of life, and satisfaction scores than women who did not.

Conclusions

Patient goal attainment after vaginal prolapse repair was high and not consistently related to objective anatomical outcome or mesh use. It persisted between 3 and 12?months postoperatively and was associated with better satisfaction, quality of life, and symptom scores.     

阴道后壁脱垂与修复的研究进展

阴道后壁脱垂是常见的盆腔底部支持组织缺陷,它的发病率在伴有阴道前壁和阴道顶部位缺损的女性中达50％.阴道后壁脱垂的亚型包括：直肠膨出、肠疝、乙状结肠膨出、会阴疝,或者上述情况同时出现.直肠膨出是指直肠前壁通过阴道后壁向前突出,而肠疝指的是肠管经过DOUGLAS盲端（死胡同）突出至腹膜囊.肠疝解剖学上的研究表明,来自宫骶韧带的骨盆内层筋膜或者阴道前壁和或者后壁筋膜的分离,这导致阴道粘膜与盆腔腹膜直接接触.     

Trocar-guided total tension-free vaginal mesh repair of post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

Introduction and hypothesis  

The objective of this study was to report 1 year anatomical and functional outcomes of trocar-guided total tension-free vaginal mesh (Prolift™) repair for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse with one continuous piece of polypropylene mesh.     

阴式子宫切除术联合阴道前后壁修补术对子宫脱垂合并阴道壁膨出患者术后疼痛及复发的影响

目的探讨阴式子宫切除术联合阴道前后壁修补术对子宫脱垂合并阴道壁膨出患者术后疼痛及复发的影响。 方法选取2017年1月到2019年1月,安徽省马鞍山市中心医院收治的90例子宫脱垂合并阴道壁膨出患者。采用随机数字表法将其分为对照组和观察组。对照组45例采用单纯阴道前后壁修补术进行治疗,观察组45例采用阴式子宫切除术联合阴道前后壁修补术进行治疗,2组术后随访1年。比较2组治疗后的临床疗效及手术前后视觉模拟评分（VAS）;统计2组围手术期手术相关指标及并发症发生率和随访1年的复发率。采用SPSS 21.0统计软件进行数据分析。 结果观察组总有效率为93.33%,显著高于对照组的71.11%,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。与手术前相比,术后3～7 d,2组VAS评分均呈逐渐降低趋势,且术后3、7 d观察组显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。与对照组相比,观察组术中出血量明显较少,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;观察组的住院时间、肛门排气时间、手术时间等明显较短,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组并发症发生率、随访1年复发率分别为6.67%、2.22%,显著低于对照组的26.67%、24.44%,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论阴式子宫切除术联合阴道前后壁修补术治疗子宫脱垂合并阴道壁膨出,可显著改善患者围手术期相关指标的情况,减轻患者术后疼痛,并能降低患者并发症发生率及术后复发率,临床疗效显著。     

Left ventricular aneurysm resection with port-access surgery: a new mini-invasive surgical approach

BACKGROUND: In recent years port-access and endovascular extra-corporeal circulation techniques have allowed valvular and coronary operations to be performed by mini-thoracotomy. Experience with the technique suggested application to resection of ventricular aneurysms, which are usually approached through a median sternotomy with the use of traditional cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: We performed a left port-access mini-thoracotomy, with 6 to 8 cm skin incisions, in 7 patients undergoing endoventricular pericardial patch repair for anterior left ventricular aneurysm. Cardiopulmonary bypass was effected using the Heartport system. The mean interval between myocardial infarction and operation was 60.4 +/- 57.7 months. Three patients developed sustained ventricular tachicardia. Mean preoperative ejection fraction was 34% +/- 11%. Associated procedures were coronary bypass grafting in 2 patients and cryosurgery in 3 patients. RESULTS: All patients survived to discharge and are alive and well after an average 14.5 months. They are all in NYHA class I-II. Postoperative echocardiograms revealed an average ejection fraction of 48.0% +/- 7.5% (p = 0.006 compared with preoperative value). The 3 patients who had cryosurgery did not demonstrate any recurrence of arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular aneurysm can be successfully treated through port-access mini-thoracotomy with endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass, avoiding median sternotomy. This mini-invasive approach allows effective ventricular remodeling. Revascularization and antiarrhythmia surgery can also be done at the same time. In case of severely reduced ventricular function this approach permits fibrillatory arrest without aortic cross-clamping. The results are also good in terms of hospitalization time and long-term survival.     

Operative technique for the repair of posthysterectomy vaginal prolapse

The operative technique of our own modified sacral colpopexy with a fascial strip for the repair of posthysterectomy vaginal prolapse is described. The complete removal of the enterocele is important. The fascial strip remains extraperitoneal. Only absorbable sutures have been used. Excellent vaginal support was achieved in all cases operated on with the method described. Possible cystocele and rectocele must be corrected separately prior to sacral colpopexy.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of abdominal versus vaginal prolapse surgery with mesh

Introduction and hypothesis

We compared two surgical approaches in patients with symptomatic prolapse of the vaginal apex with normal controls by analyzing pelvic landmark relationships measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after surgery.

Methods

In this prospective multicenter pilot study involving 16 participants, nulliparous controls (n?=?6) were compared with ten parous (3.0?±?1.0) women with uterine apical prolapse equal to or greater than?stage 2. Group A (n?=?5) underwent abdominal sacral colpopexy with monofilament polypropylene mesh and group B (n?=?5) with vaginal mesh kit repair (Total ProLift). Subtotal hysterectomy was performed in all group A and no group B women. All patients underwent preoperative and 3-month postoperative Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) and dynamic MRI. Comparison of MRI pelvic angles and distances was performed and analyzed by Mann–Whitney rank sum test and chi-square test.

Results

Vaginal apical support is similar at 3 months for abdominal sacral colpopexy (ASCP) and ProLift by POP-Q examination and MRI analysis. In both treatment groups, the postoperative POP-Q point C and MRI parameters were similar to nulliparous controls at 3?months.

Conclusions

Anatomic outcomes for ASCP compared with ProLift were similar at 3 months in terms of vaginal apical support by POP-Q and MRI analysis. Continued comparative analysis of postoperative support with objective imaging seems warranted.     

Medium-term clinical outcomes following surgical repair for vaginal prolapse with tension-free mesh and vaginal support device

Introduction and hypothesis  

This study was designed to evaluate clinical outcomes ≥2 years following surgery with polypropylene mesh and vaginal support device (VSD) in women with vaginal prolapse, in a prospective, multi-center setting.     

The effect of pelvic organ prolapse repair on vaginal sensation

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to evaluate vaginal and clitoral sensation before and after robotic sacrocolpopexy for the repair of pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods

Twenty-two women, mean age 63 years (range 41–77), were admitted for robotic sacrocolpopexy repair of pelvic organ prolapse; 4 were lost to follow-up. Quantitative sensory thresholds for warm, cold, and vibratory sensations were measured at the vagina (anterior and posterior areas) and clitoris 1 day before and a mean of 12?±?4 months following surgery. Student’s paired t test was used to compare sensory thresholds before and after surgery.

Results

For the 18 women who completed follow-up, sensitivity was significantly higher after surgery (sensory threshold decreased) at the clitoral and vaginal regions, to cold and warm stimuli. In contrast, the vaginal and clitoral vibratory sensory thresholds did not change significantly following surgery.

Conclusion

The repair of pelvic organ prolapse by robotic sacrocolpopexy could potentially play a role in restoring clitoral and vaginal wall sensation. The effects of these sensory changes on sexual function and the quality of sexual life need further investigation.