[Cystocele and stress urinary incontinence: assessment of a total treatment by monoprosthesis]. / Cystocèle et incontinence urinaire d'effort: évaluation d'un traitement global par monoprothèse.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and the potential complications in the short and medium terms of the transobturator and infracoccygeal hammock, a surgical technique suggested to treat in one sole operating time, by vaginal way, cystocele and stress urinary incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 2002 till August 2004, 45 patients aged 66+/-11 years on average, presenting a stage 3 or stage 4 cystocele associated with stress urinary incontinence (proven for 40 of them and masked by the prolapse itself for the other five) benefited from this new surgical procedure. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 31+/-9 months, the success rate of the technique is estimated at 98% on the anatomical aspect (one single failure) and at 91% on the urinary aspect (73% of the patients were cured, 18% improved and 9% in failure). No patient presented urinary retention except one with an infected pelvic hematoma requiring its evacuation and the partial ablation of the prosthesis. Postvoid residual volume at discharge was 83 ml. Two patients developed de novo bladder overactivity. Unfortunately we had to regret nearly 18% of exposed prosthesis. This result should be improved by the exclusive use of polypropylene monofilament prosthesis with broad meshes, weak weights and by reduced vaginal scars. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Total treatment by monoprosthesis of cystoceles with associated stress urinary incontinence constitutes an interesting prospect for some high-risk genital urinary prolapses for anatomical repetition or post-operative dysvoiding. Patients with recurrent failures of prolapse surgical cure, those with a large cystocele or by extension with a complete prolapse of the three floors, and even those with a post-hysterectomy prolapse have perhaps found a durable solution with their problem.

[Posthysterectomy posterior compartment prolapse: Preliminary results of a novel transvaginal surgical procedure using polypropylene mesh via the low transobturator route]. / Prolapsus isolé de l'étage postérieur posthystérectomie: résultats préliminaires d'une technique utilisant les voies vaginales et transobturatrice basses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is the description and anatomical and functional outcome assessment of a novel surgical procedure, based on rectovaginal fascia defect repair with polypropylene mesh using the tension-free transobturator and infracoccygeal route based on the integral theory developed by Petros. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Prospective, consecutive and single centre study performed between February 2003 and April 2005. Inclusion criteria were symptomatic posthysterectomy stage three to four regarding posterior compartment prolapse according to the Baden and Walker classification, with no anterior and/or apical prolapse. Principles and description of this new surgical procedure are described. RESULTS: Fourteen patients, with a mean age of 63.5 years and a mean body mass index of 29.2, were included in the study. All the patients had previous hysterectomy, 64.3% reported at least one previous surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, 44.5% reported at least one reoperation. All patients complained of rectocele and/or enterocele stage three. No perioperative or postoperative complication occurred. With a median follow-up of 13 months (range 3-32.9), no recurrence and no anterior or apical compartment prolapse occurred. No vaginal erosion an infection of the mesh was observed. The mean level of subjective satisfaction was 9.23 on a visual analogical scale (0-very disappointed, 10-very satisfied). CONCLUSION: This new surgical procedure is effective and safe for the repair of posthysterectomy large posterior compartment prolapse. A long-term follow-up is required to confirm these promising results.

[Local and long-term systemic risks of silicone breast implants]. / Risques locaux et généraux au long cours des implants mammaires en silicone.

A woman of 59 years of age, who had bilateral breast implants, 20 years earlier, presented with both breasts hard, inflamed and ulcerated, which suggested bilateral siliconomas. Bilateral mastectomy was carried out in two stages because she developed disseminated intravascular coagulation during the first operation.

[Which prostheses to use in mesh sacrocolpopexy? Experimental and clinical study]. / Promontofixation : quelles prothèses choisir ? Étude expérimentale et clinique.

BACKGROUND: Sacrocolpopexy is the standard surgical treatment of genital prolapse of the upper vaginal wall. Nowadays, the laparotomy approach is progressively supplanted by the laparoscopic procedure for the same anatomical results. About sacrocolpopexy, to date it still remains details of the technique, which differ with surgical teams maintaining controversy. Among them, the choice of the meshes certainly creates debate. OBJECTIVES: To state the basic physicochemical principles which are necessary for surgeons to select the most suitable prosthetic material to obtain the most beneficial anatomic and functional outcomes for patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The concepts of prosthetic biocompatibility, strength, shrinkage, deformation and elasticity are discussed. They are illustrated by experimental animal references and also human clinical references. RESULTS: Macroporous polypropylene and polyester prostheses (pore size>1 mm) are properly integrated. Collagen prosthetic coating improves tissue integration. Absorbable and nonabsorbable ultralight prostheses expose patients to a high risk of recurrence. Multifilament polyester wide pore-side prostheses have less retraction and are more flexible than monofilament polypropylene prostheses. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The prosthetic cut-off weight below which the mesh does not offer any guarantee of strength is not precisely known. Moreover, the benefit of weight reduction is not proved. Currently, heavy weight multifilament polyester prostheses with wide pore size, more than 1mm, appear to be the most appropriate meshes for sacrocolpopexy without vaginal incision.