Outcomes and Complications of Transvaginal and Abdominal Custom-shaped Light-weight Polypropylene Mesh Used in Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Study ObjectiveTo assess the outcomes and complications of transvaginally placed custom-shaped light-weight polypropylene mesh for repair of pelvic organ prolapse.DesignRetrospective review of medical records (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).SettingTwo urogynecologic centers.PatientsBetween March 2006 and September 2007, 154 women with anterior, posterior, or apical prolapse underwent vaginal reconstructive surgery using custom-shaped transvaginal or abdominal mesh. Surgical procedures were chosen after informed consent. The primary outcome for the study was recurrence of prolapse, defined as POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitative) stage II or greater. Secondary end points included perioperative and postoperative complications.InterventionsAnterior compartment repair was performed in 94 patients (61%), and posterior compartment repair in 60 (39%). Combined anterior and posterior repairs were performed in 25 patients. Hysterectomy was performed in 27 patients (18%) (abdominal in 1, vaginal in 19, and laparoscopy-assisted in 7). Apical support techniques included sacrospinous fixation in 69 patients (45%), abdominal sacral colpopexy in 30 (19%), and vaginal culdoplasty in 7 (5%). Transobturator sling procedures were performed in 65 patients (42%).Measurements and Main ResultsPostoperative follow-up exceeded 24 months in all patients. The overall success of these procedures was 97.4%. There were 4 failures (2.6%), defined as stage II prolapse or greater. Comparison of POP-Q points Aa, Ba, C, Ap, and Bp preoperatively and postoperatively revealed statistically significant improvement at each point (p <.001). Complications were observed in 17 patients (11%), with mesh extrusion in 1 (0.7%).ConclusionsLong-term follow-up demonstrated that use of custom-shaped light-weight polypropylene mesh is safe and effective, with a low rate of complications.