Factors that affect recurrence after anterior colporrhaphy procedure reinforced with four-corner anchored polypropylene mesh

Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2004 Nov-Dec;15(6):399-406; discussion 406. doi: 10.1007/s00192-004-1185-1. Epub 2004 Jun 2.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the anterior colporrhaphy procedure reinforced with four-corner anchored polypropylene mesh in patients with severe (stage III or IV) anterior vaginal prolapse. Thirty-eight consecutive women were enlisted for this prospective study. The procedure consisted of an extensive vaginal dissection to join the vesicovaginal and retropubic space and an anchoring of a polypropylene mesh patch between the two Arcus Tendineus Fasciae Pelvis in a tension-free manner. The mean age of the study group was 63 (33-80) years. The success rate was 87% (33/38) at a mean follow-up interval of 21 (12-29) months. A total of eight (100%) patients were also cured of concomitant stress incontinence (five overt and three occult type) with an additional tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) operation. During follow-up, there were five de-novo stress incontinence cases (16.7%) and four vaginal erosions of mesh (10.5%). Four clinical variables--diabetes mellitus, recurrent anterior vaginal prolapse, chronic cough and vaginal erosions of mesh--were found to have a significant correlation with an unsatisfactory surgical result with large values of hazard ratios found by survival analysis. We concluded that the anterior colporrhaphy procedure reinforced with four-corner anchored polypropylene mesh was effective for most, but failed in some patients who had specific risk factors within short convalescence periods. Concomitant stress incontinence can be successfully treated by a TVT operation in combination with the anterior colporrhaphy procedure reinforced with four-corner anchored polypropylene mesh. However, the anterior colporrhaphy procedure may itself have adverse effects on urethral sphincter function.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colpotomy / instrumentation*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pelvic Floor / surgery
  • Polypropylenes*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Surgical Mesh*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uterine Prolapse / prevention & control*
  • Uterine Prolapse / surgery

Substances

  • Polypropylenes