Sacrohysteropexy with synthetic mesh in Aba, South-Eastern Nigeria: a report of three cases and review of the literature

Laparoscopic Sacrocervicopexy Using Ethibond Suture Graft: A Very Economic Yet Effective Fertility Preserving Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

BACKGROUND

The modern era has witnessed a transition to a phase of uterus-preserving surgeries and so holds true for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgeries as well. Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy has become a preferred surgical modality for moderate to severe degrees of POP in most women of the childbearing age group. With the alarming incidences of mesh erosion, synthetic mesh has almost gone off the market. We advocate a very simple and cost-effective technique of laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy using an Ethibond suture graft.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was a pilot prospective observational study over one year. Consecutive consenting women with symptomatic prolapsed uterus Stage-II of the central component of the quantitative POP classification (POP-Q) were recruited. Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy was performed under general anesthesia using the standard protocols, and patients were prospectively followed for six months after surgery. The duration of surgery and hospital stay were noted. Patient satisfaction was rated using a five-point Likert scale. The vaginal length was measured immediately after and six months post-surgery. Sexual function was assessed using the validated female sexual function index (FSFI) scale six months after sacrocervicopexy.

RESULTS

Out of 28 recruited women, the majority were multiparous, highly qualified, and belonged to the middle socio-economic class. Seven patients had co-morbidity in the form of hypertension (17.8%), diabetes (7.1%), and cardiovascular diseases (7.1%). The mean duration of surgery was 105.8±7.2 minutes in the study population. The mean duration of hospital stay was 2.2±0.6 days. No surgical site infection was noted in any of the cases. Most patients rated "very satisfied" experiences following surgery (67.9%). The mean vaginal length after surgery was 7.6±1.2 centimeters. After a follow-up period of six months, the mean vaginal length was 7.4±0.8 centimeters. The mean FSFI score was 30.8±2.4.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy with Ethibond suture graft is a cost-effective and safe surgical technique for POP in resource-limited settings. It also obviates the additional cost of synthetic mesh and the long-term risks of mesh erosion.

Surgical Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Ethiopian Women: What Is the Preferred Approach?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the most effective approach to surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse for Ethiopian women and to characterize this population.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study of women presenting for prolapse repair. Demographics and assessments of prolapse were obtained preoperatively. Information surrounding the surgical encounter was collected. The same anatomic and symptomatic measures were ascertained postoperatively. Information regarding surgical complications was collected.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-three women with stage III or IV prolapse underwent surgical prolapse repair between March 2015 and November 2017. Seventy-eight of these women participated with a median length of follow-up of 255 days. All of the sacrocolpopexy patients (n = 21) and 56 of 57 vaginal repair patients had follow-up anatomic data. Anatomic failure as defined by Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification (Ba, C, or Bp > 0) occurred in 0% (0/21) of sacrocolpopexy patients and 34% (19/56) of vaginal repair patients (P = 0.005). Symptomatic failure, as defined by self-reported recurrence of vaginal bulge, occurred in 0% (0/21) of sacrocolpopexy patients and 23% (13/56) of vaginal repair patients (P = 0.015). A global assessment of improvement (worse, same, or improved) revealed that 100% (21/21) of sacrocolpopexy patients reported improvement, whereas 91% (50/55) of vaginal repair patients reported improvement, 7% (4/55) reported being the same, and 2% (1/55) reported being worse. There were 2 intraoperative complications and 3 postoperative complications. There were no cases of mesh erosion.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both vaginal and abdominal routes of prolapse surgery seem to be safe, an abdominal approach with mesh augmentation may be the preferred surgical repair in Ethiopian women.

Sacrohysteropexy performed as uterus conserving surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: Review of case files

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcome and safety of sacrohysteropexy as uterus conserving surgery for pelvic organ prolapse in young women and to assess patients' satisfaction with the procedure.

METHODS

This is a case series of patients operated at Sind Government Lyari General Hospital and Civil Hospital Karachi, between January, 2007 to October, 2015. Data of the patients who had sacrohysteropexy were reviewed. Complications during surgery and post-operative period including haemorrhage, visceral injury, paralytic ileus and peritonitis were studied. Success of procedure, need of blood transfusion, hospital stay and condition on discharge and six weeks follow-up were noted. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Mean ± SD was calculated for numerical, while frequencies were computed for categorical variables.

RESULTS

Data of 60 patients were reviewed. Early post-operative success was 100%. Duration of surgery was less than two hours in 57 (95%) patients. Blood loss was negligible in majority of cases. Out of all 60 cases, 52 (86.7%) did not suffer any complication. One patient had ureteric injury, while one patient sustained bowel injury. Two patients had paralytic ileus. Four patients suffered from abdominal wound infection. All patients were managed satisfactorily. Mean duration of stay in hospital was four days. Upon follow up 96.7% patients were satisfied with results of operative procedure. Sixteen (26.7%) patients complained of backache on follow-up visit.

CONCLUSION

This review concludes that sacrohysteropexy was successful in all cases in early post-operative period. It is a safe procedure and should be considered as an option for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in young women, in whom uterine conservation is required.

Genital prolapse: A 5-year review at Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Southeastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Genital prolapse is an important cause of morbidity among postmenopausal and multiparous women especially in our environment where a high premium is placed on large family size. This study was done to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical presentation, and management options of genital prolapse.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of those diagnosed with genital prolapse were retrieved from records in the clinic, wards, theater, and from patients' folders in the medical records department.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 with P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Genital prolapse accounted for 0.8% of gynecological clinic attendances and 5.2% of major gynecological operations. The mean age of patients was 56.7 ± 15.5 years. Farmers constituted 60.7% of the patients while 72.1% and 70.5% were postmenopausal and grandmultiparous women, respectively. The sensation of something coming down the vagina was the most common symptom noted in 98.4% of the patients. Most (23.0%) of the patients had unsupervised delivery at home. Uterovaginal prolapse was the most common (70.5%) type of genital prolapse, and third-degree uterovaginal prolapse was its most frequent presentation. Majority of the patients (44.4%) were managed expectantly while the most common surgery performed was vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic floor repair (33.3%).

CONCLUSION

Widespread availability of antenatal services especially in the rural communities and limitation on family size can significantly reduce the burden of this disease.

Concurrent Occurrence of Uterovaginal and Rectal Prolapse: An Uncommon Presentation

Concomitant uterovaginal and rectal prolapse is an uncommon occurrence. Where laparoscopic equipment and skills are lacking, sacrohysteropexy with synthetic mesh and rectopexy can be accomplished by laparotomy, especially in women who desire to retain their uterus for either biological or psychological reasons. A 40-year-old primipara with a history of concomitant mass protruding from both her vagina and anus following a spontaneous unsupervised delivery at home. Following pelvic examination, a diagnosis of uterovaginal and rectal prolapse was made. In view of her parity and desire to retain her reproductive function, she was offered abdominal sacrohysteropexy with synthetic mesh and rectopexy with satisfactory postoperative recovery. In resource-limited settings with concomitant uterine and rectal prolapse, open abdominal sacrohysteropexy with synthetic mesh and rectopexy is an effective and safe alternative to Manchester operation in the absence of laparoscopic equipment and skills.