Open Sacrocolpopexy Research Articles

Role of robotic surgery in urogynecologic surgery and radical hysterectomy: how far can we go?

The purpose is to review the current literature regarding robotic assistance in urogynecologic surgery and radical pelvic surgery and to discuss the future of robotics in these two areas of gynecology. When the first and only Food and Drug Administration-approved robot-assisted device, the daVinci surgical system, was approved for use in gynecology in April 2005, many procedures were translated to a robotic approach. In the field of urogynecology, much attention was given to the use of robotic assistance for sacrocolpopexy. In oncology, there was an attraction to the use of robotics for radical hysterectomies. There are a number of published observational studies comparing the outcomes of both robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALS) and robot-assisted radical hysterectomy (RRH) to their conventional laparoscopic and open versions. Overall, the literature suggests that the use of robotics for these procedures increases operative time and cost, but decreases estimated blood loss and length of stay. The complication rates appear to be similar. Recurrence of apical prolapse after RALS appears to be similar to that in conventional laparoscopic or open sacrocolpopexy. The number of lymph nodes harvested is the same or increases with RRH, whereas the disease-free progression and overall survival are similar for all the methods of radical hysterectomy. Literature suggests that RALS and RRH have equivalent outcomes when compared to conventional laparoscopic and open techniques. The question is whether the use of robotics that combines the outcomes of an open procedure, the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, and easy adoptability will outweigh the increased cost and time associated with robotic surgery.

Traitement chirurgical du prolapsus par promontofixation cœlioscopique. Techniques et résultats

The laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is the preferred procedure for the young woman. The procedure is that used for pelvic laparoscopy. The steps are identical as during open sacrocolpopexy, with the advantages of pneumodissection and better vision. The success rate is more than 90% and redux is mostly cystocele. Mesh erosion is reported in 2,7 to 9%. The indication for a posterior mesh is recommended if there is a rectocele or if a colposuspension at the same time. The fixation of the mesh must be posteriorly on the central tendon of perineum and the levator ani with a non resorbable stitches. The best mesh is type I in Amid classification. The comparative studies with open sacrocolpopexy and sacrospinifixation show an advantage for pain and hospital stay, but greater operative time for identical results. In preliminary results, the robotic abdominal sacrocolpopexy give the same results with a greater cost.

Editor’s Choice

Editor’s Choice

Should we use meshes in the management of vaginal prolapse?

The aim of this review is to discuss the latest developments in the use of synthetic meshes for vaginal prolapse repair. The literature addressing the use of meshes in vaginal reconstructive surgery is limited. Few studies show a sufficient high level of evidence. Early studies cannot demonstrate a clear advantage of meshes and vaginally placed meshes show a high erosion rate (>10%). Despite this, pelvic organ prolapse surgery with meshes is increasing. Recent publications report better results and lower erosion rates (0-6.9%) that approach those of laparoscopic or open sacrocolpopexy (3-5%). Several recent studies suggest that transvaginal implantation of polypropylene mesh is an effective and safe technique for the correction of anterior prolapse. Synthetic meshes are used less frequently for posterior prolapse repair as traditional repair with native tissue yields good results. The recent results on synthetic meshes for total prolapse repair are encouraging. The improved mesh designs and prosthetic kits are important developments and might reduce the risk for complications. Mesh-related complications are manageable. Recent publications suggest that synthetic meshes are promising for vaginal prolapse repair. Long-term controlled studies will have to confirm the effectiveness and safety of new meshes and will have to include more functional data on sexuality and quality of life, before transvaginal meshes can be accepted as routine surgery.

Assessment of the durability of robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse.

Transabdominal sacrocolpopexy has been shown, in multiple long-term studies of its success and durability, to be the definitive treatment option for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. It is, however, associated with greater morbidity than vaginal repair. We describe a minimally invasive technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair and present our experience with a minimum of one-year follow-up. The surgical technique involves five laparoscopic ports—three for the da Vinci robot and two for the assistant. After appropriate dissection a polypropylene mesh is attached to the sacral promontory and to the vaginal apex by use of Gore-Tex sutures. The mesh material is then covered by the peritoneum. Patient analysis focused on complications, urinary continence, patient satisfaction, and morbidity, with a minimum of 12 months follow-up. Forty-two patients with post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institute and 35 have a minimum of 12 months follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 36 months (range 12–48) in the group. Mean age was 67 (47–83) years and mean operating time was 3.1 (2.15–4.75) h for the entire cohort. All but one patient were discharged home on postoperative day one; one patient left on postoperative day two. One developed recurrent grade three rectocele, one had recurrent vault prolapse, and two suffered from vaginal extrusion of mesh. All patients were satisfied with their outcome. The robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a minimally invasive technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair, combining the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the reduced morbidity of laparoscopy. We observed reduced hospital stay, low occurrence of complications, and high patient satisfaction, with a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Most importantly, the long-term results of the robotic repair are similar to those of open repair, but with significantly less morbidity.

Traitement du prolapsus du dôme vaginal par sacrocolpopexie laparoscopique assistée par robot

Transabdominal sacrocolpopexy offers an excellent definitive treatment option for patients with high grade vaginal vault prolapse with long-term success rates ranging from 93-99 %. However, because it is a transabdominal procedure it is associated with increased morbidity compared with vaginal repairs. We describe a novel minimally invasive technique of vaginal vault prolapse repair and present out initial experience. The surgical technique involves placement of five laparoscopic ports: three for the Da Vinci ® robot and two for the assistant. A polypropylene mesh is then attached to the sacral promontory and to the vaginal apex using Gortex sutures. At the end of the case, the mesh material is the covered by the peritoneum. We also present our initial experience with this technique in 18 consecutive patients. The analysis focused on complications, urinary continence, patient satisfaction, and morbidity. Follow-up was conducted by provider-patient interview. Twenty-five patients underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institution in the past 24 months for severe symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse. 10/25 (40 %) underwent a concomitant anti-incontinence procedure. Mean follow-up was 5. (1-12) months and mean age was 66 (47-82) years. Mean total operative time was 3.2 (2.25-4.75) hours. One patient had to be converted to an open procedure secondary to unfavorable anatomy. All but one patient were discharged from the hospital after an overnight stay; one patient left on postoperative day #2. Complications were limited to mild port site infections in two patients, which resolved with oral antibiotic therapy. One patient developed recurrent grade 3 rectocele, but had no evidence of cystocele or enterocele. We present a novel technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair that combines the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the decreased morbidity and improved cosmesis of laparoscopic surgery. It is associated with decreased hospital stay, low complication and conversion rates, and high patient satisfaction. While our early experience is encouraging, long-term data is needed to confirm these findings and establish longevity of the repair.

Harninkontinenz und Urodynamik

Incontinence can be the result of impaired functioning of the detrusor muscle and/or the sphincter mechanism. For this reason, the pathomorphology and the pathophysiology should be documented before surgery, so that if it is not successful it is possible to deduce what alterations have been caused by an operation and the reason why the treatment has not been successful. Vaginal reconstruction of the pelvic floor following vaginal prolapse is a safe, effective surgical procedure, particularly for older women. Abdominal fixation of the vaginal stump through open or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy gives long-lasting and anatomically favourable results especially for younger women who are sexually active, but is associated with a higher mortality rate. Incontinence treatment in men is itself gradually becoming accepted as a subspecialty. Pharmacological treatment that is used for urge incontinence takes the form of substances that relax or desensitize the detrusor (antimuscarinics, oestrogens, alpha-blockers, beta-mimetics, botulinum toxin A, resiniferatoxin, vinpocetin), while stress incontinence requires stimulation of the sphincter and pelvic floor (alpha-mimetics, oestrogens, duloxetin). Bladder function disturbances in children can be classified by noninvasive methods, but the therapy remains a difficult endurance test for the children, their parents and the doctor, often extending over years.

Long-Term Results of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy for the Treatment of High Grade Vaginal Vault Prolapse

Transabdominal sacrocolpopexy is a definitive treatment option for vaginal vault prolapse with durable success rates. However, it is associated with increased morbidity compared with vaginal repairs. We describe a minimally invasive technique of vaginal vault prolapse repair and present our experience with a minimum of 1 year followup. The surgical technique involves 5 laparoscopic ports: 3 for the da Vinci robot and 2 for the assistant. A polypropylene mesh is attached to the sacral promontory and vaginal apex using polytetrafluoroethylene sutures. The mesh material is then covered by peritoneum. Patient analysis focused on complications, urinary continence, patient satisfaction and morbidity with a minimum of 12 months followup. A total of 30 patients with post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institution and 21 have a minimum of 12 months followup. Mean followup was 24 months (range 12 to 36) and mean age was 67 years (range 47 to 83). Mean operative time was 3.1 hours (range 2.15 to 4.75). All but 1 patient were discharged home on postoperative day 1 and the 1 patient left on postoperative day 2. Recurrent grade 3 rectocele developed in 1 patient, 1 had recurrent vault prolapse and 2 had vaginal extrusion of mesh. All patients were satisfied with outcome. The robotic assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a minimally invasive technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair, combining the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the decreased morbidity of laparoscopy. We found a decreased hospital stay, low complication rates and high patient satisfaction with a minimum of 1 year followup.

Gynecologic use of robotically assisted laparoscopy: Sacrocolpopexy for the treatment of high-grade vaginal vault prolapse

Transabdominal sacrocolpopexy is an excellent treatment option for patients with high-grade vaginal vault prolapse, with long-term success rates ranging from 93% to 99%. However, it is associated with increased morbidity compared with vaginal repairs. In this article, we describe a novel minimally invasive technique of vaginal vault prolapse repair and present our initial experience. The surgical technique involves placement of 4 laparoscopic ports, 3 for the surgical robot and 1 for the assistant. A prolene mesh is then attached to the sacral promontory and to the vaginal apex using nonabsorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures. At the end of the case, the mesh material is covered by the peritoneum. A total of 20 patients underwent a robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institution in the past 18 months for severe symptomatic vaginal vault prolapse; 8 of the 20 (40%) underwent a concomitant anti-incontinence procedure. Mean follow-up was 5.1 (range, 1–12) months and mean age was 66 (range, 47–82) years. The mean total operative time was 3.2 (range, 2.25–4.75) hours. Of these patients, 1 was converted to an open procedure secondary to unfavorable anatomy. All but 1 patient, who left on postoperative day 2, were discharged from the hospital after an overnight stay. Complications were limited to mild port-site infections in 2 patients, which resolved with oral antibiotic therapy. Recurrent grade 3 rectocele developed in 1 patient, but there was no evidence of cystocele or enterocele. Significant incontinence (>1 pad/day) was present in 2 patients. All 18 patients reported being satisfied with the outcome of their surgery and all 10 would recommend it to a friend. This novel technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair combines the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the decreased morbidity and improved cosmesis of laparoscopic surgery. It is associated with decreased hospital stay, low complication and conversion rates, and high rates of patient satisfaction. Although our early experience is encouraging, long-term data are needed to confirm these findings and establish longevity of the repair.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse

Introduction To describe and demonstrate the use and benefit of robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the treatment of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Technical considerations The procedure combines the use of standard laparoscopy with the daVinci robotic system. The patient is placed in the dorsal lithotomy position. One camera port, two robotic ports, and two standard laparoscopic ports are placed transperitoneally. Standard laparoscopic dissection, in combination with an intravaginal retractor, is used for initial anterior and posterior vaginal mobilization and exposure of the sacral promontory. The daVinci robot is then docked and used to suture a silicone Y-shaped graft from the vagina to the sacral promontory. Culdoplasty, with plication of the uterosacral ligaments, is then performed, with the final step, retroperitonealization of the graft. Conclusions A total of 5 women have undergone this procedure, 3 with concomitant pubovaginal sling placement. All 5 women were discharged after 24 hours. No complications from the sacrocolpopexy were reported; however, 1 patient experienced transient vaginal bleeding related to the pubovaginal portion of the case. No recurrent anterior, posterior, or apical prolapse has occurred at mean of 4 months of follow-up. Using a robotic system for laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy facilitated precise intracorporeal suture placement so that the procedure could be done in a fashion similar to that of the open method. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy may provide the same long-term durability of open sacrocolpopexy with the benefit of a minimally invasive approach.