Sacrospinous ligament fixation by palpation: variation of the Richter procedure

Permanent Compared With Absorbable Suture in Apical Prolapse Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore how permanent compared with absorbable suture affects anatomic success in native tissue vaginal suspension (uterosacral ligament suspension and sacrospinous ligament suspension) and sacrocolpopexy with mesh.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through March 29, 2022.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Our population included women undergoing apical prolapse surgery (uterosacral ligament suspension and sacrospinous ligament suspension and abdominal sacrocolpopexy). Our intervention was permanent suture for apical prolapse surgery, and our comparator was absorbable suture. We determined a single anatomic success proportion per study. Adverse events collected included suture and mesh exposure, surgery for suture and mesh complication, dyspareunia, and granulation tissue. Abstracts were doubly screened, full-text articles were doubly screened, and accepted articles were doubly extracted. Quality of studies was assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria. In single-arm studies using either permanent or absorbable suture, random effects meta-analyses of pooled proportions were used to assess anatomic success. In comparative studies investigating both suture types, random effects meta-analyses of pooled risk ratios were used.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Of 4,658 abstracts screened, 398 full-text articles were assessed and 63 studies were included (24 vaginal suspension [13 uterosacral ligament suspension and 11 sacrospinous ligament suspension] and 39 sacrocolpopexy). At 2-year follow-up, there was no difference in permanent compared with absorbable suture in uterosacral ligament suspension and sacrospinous ligament suspension (proportional anatomic success rate 88% [95% CI 0.81-0.93] vs 88% [95% CI 0.82-0.92]). Similarly, at 18-month follow-up, there was no difference in permanent compared with absorbable suture in sacrocolpopexy (proportional anatomic success rate 92% [95% CI 0.88-0.95] vs 96% [95% CI 0.92-0.99]). On meta-analysis, there was no difference in relative risk (RR) of success for permanent compared with absorbable suture for uterosacral ligament suspension and sacrospinous ligament suspension (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.93-1.33) or sacrocolpopexy (RR 1.00, 95% CI0.98-1.03).

CONCLUSION

Success rates were similarly high for absorbable and permanent suture after uterosacral ligament suspension, sacrospinous ligament suspension, and sacrocolpopexy, with medium-term follow-up.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42021265848.

Sacrospinous colpopexy using Masson luethy needle holder

OBJECTIVE

Sacrospinous colpopexy (SSC) is a well-known surgical technique to correct apical support defect, however its approach is still challenging. The current study describes an alternative and economic approach for suture placement in the sacrospinous ligament during SSC using Masson luethy needle holder.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care center. The study recruited women with uterovaginal prolapse or post hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse scheduled for SSC as a constructive surgery for vaginal superior segment defect. Eligible women were assigned to have SSC using Masson luethy needle holder (Group I) for suture placement in the sacrospinous ligament. The control group (Group II) consisted of a group of patients who had SSC using Deschamps ligature carrier.

RESULTS

By the end of the study, 104 women underwent SSC. (Group I) included 55 women while (Group II) included 49 women. The mean SSC operative time was significantly shorter in (Group I) [109±33min versus 206±67min in (Group II), p<0001], with a mean difference of 10.5min [95% CI, 74-136]. This difference in SSC operative time was due to faster suture placement in (Group I) [47±14min versus 153±46min in (Group II), p<0001]. The mean SSC related operative blood loss was significantly less in (Group I) [582±349ml versus 985±463ml in (Group II), p<0001]. The perioperative complications, recurrence and cure rates were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Using Masson luethy needle holder reduced the difficulty associated with suture placement during SSC and allowed the completion of the procedure within a significantly shorter time.

Is standardised vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation a safe teaching procedure for residents?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Several modifications of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SLF) are described.

METHODS

This study presents a standardised SLF technique. Perioperative course and outcome are compared retrospectively after surgery is performed by experienced surgeons or by residents.

RESULTS

Two hundred three SLF were analysed. Eight residents (LO) operated on 41 patients (5.1 ± 2.2). Six experienced surgeons (SO) operated on 162 patients (27.0 ± 25.7). Mean operating time was 67 ± 33 min. (LO 99 ± 45 min vs. SO 59 ± 22 min, p < 0.05). The overall morbidity rate was 7.8%. There was no significant difference regarding complications and outcomes between SO and LO.

CONCLUSIONS

Operation time was longer but outcomes were identical, and morbidity rate was not increased in the group of resident surgeons. In comparison to literature, complication rate was low. SLF should be part of residency programmes.

Uterus-Sparing Vaginal Surgery of Genitourinary Prolapse Employing Biocompatible Material

OBJECTIVE

The study presents an original uterus sparing technique for transvaginal repair of total genitourinary prolapse. The technique employs a synthetic mesh of mixed polypropylene and 910 polyglactin fibers.

METHODS

The prosthesis creates a support for the cystocele, the cervix and the enterocele. It has four anchoring sites: two at the rear in the sacrospinous ligaments and two at the front in the arcus tendineous of the levator ani muscle. Between February 2001 and December 2004, 24 patients (mean age 66.9 years), presenting symptoms of uterine prolapse, cystocele and enterocele (POP-Q stage III-IV Aa associated to II-III-IV C), were treated with our procedure. Pre- and postoperative parameters were evaluated statistically.

RESULTS

No patient had any serious complications. The mean follow-up was 31.1 months (range 6-52). 19 patients (79.1%) have shown excellent results and have been completely cured. In 5 other cases (20.8%), the cystocele was completely cured and there was a significant improvement in the hysterocele and the enterocele. One patient required surgical treatment for postoperative stress incontinence. Statistical analysis of data regarding the pre- and postoperative prolapse stage demonstrated a high degree of objective cure rates (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

While hysterectomy remains the habitual treatment for severe uterine prolapse, our technique provides a promising alternative solution. It is also significant that there were no complications of erosion or infection associated with the prosthesis.

Vaginal sacrospinous fixation: experience in a district general hospital

This is an observational retrospective study, which included 77 patients who underwent sacrospinous fixation (SSF) over a period of 3 years in a district general hospital. Casenotes were reviewed and all patients were invited to attend a further review appointment (14-49 months). The object was to determine short- and long-term success of SSF,particularly in elderly (28% were > or = 70 years), obese (24.7%) and medically compromised (64.9%) patients. Fifty-two patients (67.5%) had previous gynaecological procedures, while the remaining 25 (32.5%) had no previous surgery. Intra- and postoperative complications were 3.9% and 32.5%, respectively. There was considerable relief of patients' symptoms at both short- and long-term followup, while the rate of recurrence of vault prolapse was 10.3%. Our experience suggests that SSF appears to be a safe and effective procedure, especially for those who may constitute surgical or anaesthetic risks. It has a reasonable success rate, good postoperative recovery and acceptable long-term results.

Transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy by palpation-a new minimally invasive procedure using an anchoring system

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the preliminary results and complications of a new, minimally invasive, transvaginal sacrospinous colpopexy for vault and uterovaginal prolapse.

METHODS

Twelve women, 41 to 79 years old, underwent sacrospinous fixation by palpation using the Raz Anchoring System (RAS) between October 1998 and September 1999. The vaginal vault prolapse was grade II and III in 4 and 6 patients, respectively. Two patients had grade III uterovaginal prolapse. Two patients underwent RAS alone, and 10 underwent RAS in conjunction with simultaneous related vaginal surgery. Eleven patients underwent vaginal vault and one uterovaginal fixation. RAS features two components: first, a 15-mm-long cylindrical titanium anchor and second, a disposable inserter. A penetration limiter tube allows one to penetrate the sacrospinous ligament up to the desired depth. The anchor is released into the ligament and then the vaginal apex is fixed in place.

RESULTS

The minimum and mean follow-up was 12 and 16 months, respectively. The operative time to complete the colpopexy ranged from 8 to 15 minutes. We recorded only one recurrent vaginal vault prolapse due to pull-through of the suspension sutures through the vagina. No significant perioperative complications occurred. No de novo or recurrent cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, stress urinary incontinence, urgency, or frequency was seen. Defecation was normal in all patients. Coital function was normal in 8 patients who were still sexually active. No patient experienced perineal or buttock pain.

CONCLUSIONS

RAS seems to be quick, easy, safe, and effective in the suspension of vaginal apex to the sacrospinous ligament, but our preliminary results must be confirmed by controlled prospective studies with a larger number of patients and wider follow-up.