Midline anterior repair alone vs anterior repair plus vaginal paravaginal repair: a comparison of anatomic and quality of life outcomes

Evaluation of three different surgical approaches in repairing paravaginal support defects: a comparative trial

OBJECTIVES

Paravaginal defects have been shown to account for 60-80% of anterior compartment prolapse and its repair offers the chance of a more effective cure of such defect. There is no good evidence to suggest the superiority of a particular route of paravaginal repair. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of abdominal (APVR), vaginal (VPVR) and laparoscopic (LPVR) approaches in the repair of such defects.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective comparative study of patients, referred over a 2-year period, with symptomatic stage II–IV anterior compartment prolapse due to paravaginal support defects. Patients were assessed subjectively by direct verbal questioning, and objectively, using POP-Q system for staging, at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Analysis of data was performed using SPSS for Windows (V9) software package.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were recruited to the study. There was no significant difference in the subjective and objective outcomes of APVR (n = 20) and VPVR (n = 20) groups. The laparoscopic approach had to be abandoned after five patients only, as the degree of improvement in prolapse stage was less than in the other two approaches.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness of paravaginal repair procedure is similar whether the abdominal or vaginal approaches were adopted in patients with anterior compartment prolapse due to paravaginal support defects. In our experience, the laparoscopic approach was associated with the least favourable outcome.

Technique of anterior colporrhaphy: a Dutch evaluation

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate the variation in techniques of anterior colporrhaphy among members of the Dutch Urogynecologic Society.

METHODS

A questionnaire evaluating the technique of anterior colporrhaphy, preoperative and postoperative care, and use of the POP-Q score was sent out by e-mail.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-three completed questionnaires were received. The response rate was 65%. There are large variations in incisions, use of hydrodissection, method of plication, and excision of redundant vaginal epithelium. The urinary catheter was generally removed on day 2 after surgery and the vaginal pack on day 1. Less than half of the respondents used the POP-Q score routinely.

CONCLUSIONS

Dutch gynecologists use a variety of surgical techniques to operate on a cystocele. This suggests that there is no widely accepted opinion on the best surgical approach. The lack of differentiation between central and lateral defects is striking and in contrast with the, mostly, American literature.

Prospective study of the Perigee system for the management of cystocoeles--medium-term follow up

OBJECTIVES

The Perigee transobturator cystocoele repair system (AMS) was designed and first used in Townsville, Australia. This prospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of this device for the management of cystocoeles.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgery with the Perigee system between March 2004 and December 2005 were reviewed. Patients who consecutively presented to our clinic with a stage 3 cystocoele or above were given information regarding the Perigee mesh surgery. Those who consented were included in our study. The study involved a questionnaire and POPQ assessment pre- and postoperatively at six weeks, three months, six months, 12 months and subsequently biannually.

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients underwent surgery with the Perigee system between March 2004 and December 2005. There were no life-threatening complications with the procedure. Five (7.1%) patients were found to have small mesh extrusion through the vagina, and three (4.28%) patients had recurrence of stage 2 cystocoele.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

On medium-term evaluation (18 to 36 months) of the Perigee system the results seem very encouraging. The morbidity is minimal, as is the recurrence and mesh extrusion rate.