A computational study of organ relocation after laparoscopic pectopexy to repair posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

Abstract

ABSTRACTMinimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, pectopexy and cervicosacropexy are widely performed for the treatment of the vaginal vault/cuff prolapse using prosthetic mesh implants to strengthen lax apical ligaments. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and the surgeon’s preference, implants of different shapes, pore architectures and polymers can be selected. In this article, a 3D model of the pelvis was built and the pectopexy technique was reproduced. The finite element model of the textile implant was sutured to the cervical stump with a bilateral fixation to the iliopectineal ligament on either side of the pelvic walls. Pelvic soft tissues and prosthetic implants were modelled as hyperelastic and linearly elastic orthotropic materials, respectively. Numerical simulations were performed after surgery at rest and during Valsalva manoeuvre. The positions and the orientation of the vagina, during increased abdominal pressure were calculated in relation to the pubococcygeal line (PCL). We found from our simulation-model that the structure of the DynaMesh®-PRP Soft (17.18 mm above PCL line) provides better support to the vaginal cuff compared to GYNEMESH (11.95 mm) and ARTISYN (6.72 mm). And the treatment with, the stiffer DynaMesh seems to provide better urethral axis (24°) than the flexible Ethicon meshes (28.5° and 29°).