Defining mechanisms of recurrence following apical prolapse repair based on imaging criteria.

BACKGROUND: Prolapse recurrence after transvaginal surgical repair is common; however, its mechanisms are ill-defined. A thorough understanding of how and why prolapse repairs fail is needed to address their high rate of anatomic recurrence and to develop novel therapies to overcome defined deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify mechanisms and contributors of anatomic recurrence after vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension (native tissue repair) vs transvaginal mesh (VM) hysteropexy surgery for uterovaginal prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: This multicenter study was conducted in a subset of participants in a randomized clinical trial by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Overall, 94 women with uterovaginal prolapse treated via native tissue repair (n=48) or VM hysteropexy (n=46) underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging at rest, maximal strain, and poststrain rest (recovery) 30 to 42 months after surgery. Participants who desired reoperation before 30 to 42 months were imaged earlier to assess the impact of the index surgery. Using a novel 3-dimensional pelvic coordinate system, coregistered midsagittal images were obtained to assess study outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging-based anatomic recurrence (failure) was defined as prolapse beyond the hymen. The primary outcome was the mechanism of failure (apical descent vs anterior vaginal wall elongation), including the frequency and site of failure. Secondary outcomes included displacement of the vaginal apex and perineal body and change in the length of the anterior wall, posterior wall, vaginal perimeter, and introitus of the vagina from rest to strain and rest to recovery. Group differences in the mechanism, frequency, and site of failure were assessed using the Fisher exact tests, and secondary outcomes were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS: Of the 88 participants analyzed, 37 (42%) had recurrent prolapse (VM hysteropexy, 13 of 45 [29%]; native tissue repair, 24 of 43 [56%]). The most common site of failure was the anterior compartment (VM hysteropexy, 38%; native tissue repair, 92%). The primary mechanism of recurrence was apical descent (VM hysteropexy, 85%; native tissue repair, 67%). From rest to strain, failures (vs successes) had greater inferior displacement of the vaginal apex (difference, -12 mm; 95% confidence interval, -19 to -6) and perineal body (difference, -7 mm; 95% confidence interval, -11 to -4) and elongation of the anterior vaginal wall (difference, 12 mm; 95% confidence interval, 8-16) and vaginal introitus (difference, 11 mm; 95% confidence interval, 7-15). CONCLUSION: The primary mechanism of prolapse recurrence following vaginal hysterectomy with uterosacral ligament suspension or VM hysteropexy was apical descent. In addition, greater inferior descent of the vaginal apex and perineal body, lengthening of the anterior vaginal wall, and increased size of the vaginal introitus with strain were associated with anatomic failure. Further studies are needed to provide additional insight into the mechanism by which these factors contribute to anatomic failure.

Trends in pelvic organ prolapse management in Latin America.

AIMS: To describe practice patterns and perspectives regarding pelvic organ prolapse (POP) management among urologists, gynecologists, and urogynecologists in Latin America (LATAM). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2016 using a 37-item internet-based survey applied to members of urologic and gynecologic associations from 18 countries. Participants were asked about their background and practice patterns. Descriptive statistics were employed. RESULTS: A total of 673 responses were obtained. Most came from Colombia (33.6%) and Brazil (24.7%). The number of practitioners who perform at least one POP procedure per month and were eligible to finish the survey was 529 (78.6%), out of which 323 (61.0%) were urologists, 156 (29.5%) gynecologists, and 50 (9.5%) urogynecologists. Mesh-based POP repairs were used by 57.1% of participants. Out of non-mesh users, the most frequent vaginal procedures were sacrospinous fixation (30%), colporrhaphy (25%), and uterosacral fixation (12%). Regarding the impact of FDA warnings, 75.2% participants indicated that the use of mesh has declined, and 41.9% considered this has had a negative effect in the use of incontinence tapes as well. Only two physicians reported legal disputes related to mesh procedures, and 75.8% said they would still indicate mesh repairs in certain cases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on POP practice patterns in LATAM. Preferences regarding surgical management of POP are not very different from international trends. Despite intense scrutiny and media exposure, mesh-based procedures are still largely used in LATAM.

Experiencia en el tratamiento del prolapso de órganos pélvicos con mallas vaginales en el Hospital Universitario de Caracas

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia en el tratamiento del prolapso de órganos pélvicos con materiales protésicos en la Unidad de Patología de Piso Pélvico del Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de prolapso, intervenidas con mallas transvaginales entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2011, con seguimiento durante 12 meses (N = 49). Resultados: La edad promedio fue 57 ± 5 años. El índice de masa corporal promedio fue 27 kg/m². El 50,9 % de los prolapsos fueron grado II, 37,7 % grado III y 9,4 % grado IV. De los grados II, el 90 % fueron anteriores el 7 % posteriores y 3 % apicales. De los grados III el 58 % fueron anteriores, 37 % apicales y 5 % posteriores. Se observó 66,8 % de complicaciones. La complicación más frecuente fue la extrusión (25 %), seguido de la dispareunia y el acortamiento vaginal mayor de 1 cm, (10,4 % en ambos). Se presentó 6,3 % de urgencia de novo y 4,2 % de incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo de novo. El hematoma, la obstrucción infravesical y la fístula vesico-vaginal se presentaron en 2,1 % de los casos. La cura objetiva fue de 95,7 % al año de seguimiento. Se observó 4,3 % de recidiva y 12,5 % de prolapso de novo. Conclusión: Las mallas vaginales representan una alternativa quirúrgica segura y eficiente para la corrección del prolapso genital. Las complicaciones son frecuentes, pero de poca gravedad. Sin embargo, la alta incidencia de erosiones puede afectar la calidad de vida de las pacientes. Palabras clave: Prolapso de órganos pélvicos. Mallas transvaginales. Erosión vaginal.

Objective: To describe the experience of pelvic organ prolapse treatment with transvaginal mesh in the Pelvic Floor Pathology Unit at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Methods: Retrospective and descriptive study. We included patients with pelvic organ prolapse treated with transvagynal mesh between January 2010 and December 2011, and with a follow up of 12 months (N=49). Results: The mean age was 57 ± 5 years, and the mean body mass index was 27 kg/m². A 50,9 % of pelvic organ prolapse were grade II, 37,7 % were grade III, and 9,4 % were grade IV. Among grade II prolapse, 90 % were anterior, 7 % posterior and 3 % apical. Among grade III prolapse, 58 % were anterior, 37.% posterior and 5 % apical. Complications were observed in 66,8 % of the cases. The most common complication was vaginal erosion (25 %), followed by dyspareunia and vaginal shortening (10,4 % both of them). The novo urgency was observed in 6,3 % of the cases, and de novo urinary stress incontinence in 4,2.%. Hematoma, vesicovaginal fistula, and voiding dysfunction were observed in 2,1 %. The objective cure was 95,7 % at 1 year of follow-up. A 4,3 % of recurrence and 12,5 % of de novo prolapse were observed. Conclusion: Vaginal meshes are a safe and effective alternative in pelvic organ prolapse treatment. Complications are frequent, but most of them are mild. However, the high incidence of vaginal erosion can affect the quality of life of most patients.