Laparoscopic Extraperitoneal Uterine Suspension to Anterior Abdominal Wall Bilaterally Using Synthetic Mesh to Treat Uterovaginal Prolapse

Between August 2007 and May 2009, 28 patients with uterovaginal prolapse, stage 2 or greater, and who desired uterine preservation, underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal uterine suspension to the anterior abdominal wall bilaterally using mesh. The primary outcome was recurrence, which was evaluated using point C. Secondary outcomes were effects on quality of life (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory [PFDI-20] and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire [PFIQ-7]) and sexual symptom (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire [PISQ-12]) scores, operative time, blood loss, duration of hospitalization, and adverse events. After surgery, there was significant improvement in all pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) measurements. The POP-Q score for point C was significantly farther from the hymen at 6-months and 1-year follow-up compared with the preoperative value (−7.8 and −8.0 vs 2.6, respectively; p < .001). The objective cure rates at 6 months and 1 year were 96.4% and 94.1%, respectively. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. However, all patients reported postoperative dragging pain at the points of puncture ports where the mesh was fixed to the abdominal wall. The mean visual analog scale decreased from a mean (SD) 3-day score of 2.61 (1.26) to 0 at 1 month follow-up. Baseline PISQ-12 score changed significantly compared with the value at 6 months after operation (28.4 [2.7] vs 29.3 [2.9]; p < .001). The PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores at 6 and 12 months after surgery improved significantly compared with the baseline scores (p < .001). The subjective success rates at 6 months and 1 year were 96.4% and 94.1%. respectively. Laparoscopic extraperitoneal uterine suspension to the anterior abdominal wall using mesh is a simple, safe, and effective procedure for treating uterovaginal prolapse. However, further studies of the long-term efficiency and reliability of this technique are needed to evaluate its value.