Tension-free Vaginal Mesh Surgery Research Articles

Comparative Retrospective Study of Tension-Free Vaginal Mesh Surgery, Native Tissue Repair, and Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair.

Methods We identified that 308 women who had undergone surgical repair of POP were followed up for at least 6 months. Recurrence rates of POP after tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery (n = 243), native tissue repair (NTR) (vaginal hysterectomy with colpopexy, anterior and posterior colpoplasty, or circumferential suturing of the levator ani muscles and apical repair by transvaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF)) (NTR; n = 31), and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy after subtotal hysterectomy (LSC; n = 34) were compared. Presence of mesh erosion was also recorded. Results Patients who underwent LSC were significantly younger (65.32 ± 3.23 years) than those who underwent TVM surgery (69.61 ± 8.31 years). After TVM surgery, the rate of recurrence (over POP-Q stage II) was 6.17% (15/243) and was highest in patients with advanced POP. The recurrence rate in patients who underwent NTR procedure was 3.23% (1/34) and that in patients who underwent LSC was 11.76% (4/11). There was no statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate between the three types of surgery. There were 13 cases (5.35%) of mesh erosion after TVM surgery and none after LSC surgery. The risk of mesh erosion was correlated with having had total TVM surgery but not with patient age or POP stage. Repeat procedures were performed in 5 women (2.14%) who underwent TVM surgery and 1 (2.94%) who underwent LSC. No patient underwent repeat surgery after NTR. There was no statistically significant difference in the reoperation rate between the three types of surgery. Conclusion Our study suggested that TVM surgery, NTR, and LSC have comparable outcomes as for the postoperative recurrence rate and mesh erosion. However, the outcomes of each technique need to be carefully evaluated over a long period of time.

Postoperative Outcomes Following Tension-Free Vaginal Mesh Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Retrospective Study.

We retrospectively reviewed the postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery in our institution. In total, 195 TVM surgeries were performed at the Shimane University School of Medicine from January 2010 to May 2016 in patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification (POP-Q) stage II or higher. Perioperative complications and problems arising following surgery were assessed from medical charts. Among the 195 patients, only 1 patient required blood transfusion due to massive intraoperative blood loss. None of the patients experienced intraoperative complications, such as injury to the bladder or rectum during surgery. Mesh exposure was observed in 10 patients (5.1%). Overall, 6 of these 10 patients were asymptomatic, and surgical treatment was required in only 1 patient. Mesh exposure occurred at significantly higher frequencies in patients aged less than 60 years. Postoperative recurrence of POP, which was defined as recurrence over POP-Q stage 2, was noted in 13 of the 195 patients (6.6%). Re-operation was performed in 1 patient in whom recurrence was observed within 3 months postoperatively. Recurrence of POP was likely to occur in patients with higher POP-Q stages. Overall, 31 of the 195 patients (15.9%) required medication for postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after surgery. Among these, 2 patients underwent surgical treatment for SUI. Outcomes following the TVM procedure were satisfactory. However, caution should be exercisedagainst mesh exposure in younger patients and recurrence of POP in patients with advanced POP-Q stage.

Comparison of Postoperative Short-Term Outcomes between Tension-Free Vaginal Mesh Surgery Using the Capio™ SLIM Suture Capturing Device and Conventional TVM Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Aim We compared the short-term effectiveness of tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery using the Capio SLIM suture capturing device and conventional TVM surgery for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Methods We retrospectively compared postoperative pain, urinary function, and length of hospital stay between 7 patients who underwent TVM surgery using the Capio device and 9 patients who underwent conventional TVM surgery. Results There was no significant between-group difference in mean age between the Capio TVM group and the conventional TVM group (76.0 ± 5.6 years and 72.5 ± 11.5 years) or in mean operating time (86.56 ± 23.33 min and 95.28 ± 23.88 min). Four of the 7 patients in the Capio TVM group could not sense the urge to urinate after removal of the urethral catheter, but all patients in the conventional TVM group did so. The volume of the first voluntary urination was significantly smaller in the Capio TVM group than that in the conventional TVM group (102.14 ± 80.57 mL versus 472.22 ± 459.43 mL). The mean residual urine volume after the first voluntary urination was greater in the Capio TVM group than that in the conventional TVM group (285.70 ± 233.82 mL versus 34.56 ± 73.31 mL). The number of catheter days and mean maximal volume of residual urine were significantly greater in the Capio TVM group. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6.57 ± 1.83 days in the Capio TVM group and 3.2 ± 0.42 days in the conventional TVM group. Six patients who underwent Capio TVM surgery complained of deep-seated pain in the hip region. Conclusion Urinary function may worsen postoperatively when the Capio TVM device is used in patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

骨盤臓器脱に対するTVM手術前後の性機能に関する検討

We prospectively assessed sexual function before and after a tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) procedure for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). From April 2007 to March 2009, a total of 42 patients, who reported having an active sex life preoperatively underwent TVM for POP. Female sexual function was evaluated with the self-reporting, multiple-domain Female Sexual Function Index(FSFI). We administered the FSFI to all of the patients before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The mean age at surgery was 61.3±7.1 years. Before the TVM surgery, the FSFI score was very low (12.5±9.0). The total FSFI score was improved significantly at 12 months after surgery (17.4±7.7). The Arousal, Lubrication and Orgasm domains were significantly improved at 12 months after surgery. POP appears to have a significant negative impact on female sexual function. Our findings indicate that TVM for POP improved sexual function in a group of Japanese women with POP.

Severe Pelvic Organ Prolapse with Large Vaginal Mucosal Defect Underwent Laparoscopic Shull’s Uterosacral Ligament Colpo-Suspension and TVM Operation by Two Stage Surgery

A 75-year-old woman complained of anuria and a sense of discomfort with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We planned tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery after curing mucosal defects and completing treatment for diabetes mellitus. Anuria and pyelonephritis relapsed repeatedly due to the failure of ring pessary therapy. Surgical treatment was required emergently. We performed a total laparoscopic hysterectomy and uterosacral ligament colpo-suspension (Shull’s method). Although the vaginal apex was supported to a good position, cystocele occurred six months after the initial surgery. A TVM procedure for recurrent cystocele was performed after curing the mucosal defects, and after the improvement of glycemic control. Transvaginal native tissue repair has the advantages of low risk of ureter injury, firm colpo-suspension, and no need for mesh usage. On the other hand, it is not good at treating cystocele. Transvaginal native tissue repair should prove to be a useful surgical option for apical support without mesh.

Improvement of overactive bladder symptoms after tension-free vaginal mesh operation in women with pelvic organ prolapse: Correlation with preoperative urodynamic findings.

To further elucidate the mechanisms of overactive bladder coexisting with pelvic organ prolapse. A total of 100 consecutive women with stage 2 or greater pelvic organ prolapse associated with cystocele were enrolled in the present prospective study. They underwent urodynamic studies and then received tension-free vaginal mesh operation. Urodynamic studies were carried out before and after the correction of pelvic organ prolapse using a single gauze pack in the vagina in the sitting position. The overactive bladder symptom score and International Prostate Symptom Score were collected before and 3 months after surgery. In 53 of 100 cases, pelvic organ prolapse was accompanied with overactive bladder, and detrusor overactivity was observed in 28 out of 53 pelvic organ prolapse with overactive bladder cases (52.8%). Detrusor overactivity was resolved in 18 and reduced in four out of 28 cases after the correction of pelvic organ prolapse by the gauze packing method. Of 53 patients who had overactive bladder preoperatively, overactive bladder symptoms disappeared in 35 cases (66.0%) and improved in six additional cases (11.3%) after tension-free vaginal mesh operation. A total of 20 of 25 cases whose overactive bladder symptoms disappeared or improved after surgery coincided with those who had shown either disappearance (n = 16) or improvement (n = 4) of detrusor overactivity after intravaginal gauze pack insertion in preoperative urodynamic studies. All scores in the overactive bladder symptom score decreased significantly after tension-free vaginal mesh, as well as the International Prostate Symptom Score, except for night-time frequency. Pelvic organ prolapse-associated overactive bladder or detrusor overactivity conditions can be reversed in most cases within a short period of time after surgical correction of pelvic organ prolapse.

Retrospective study of tension-free vaginal mesh operation outcomes for prognosis improvement.

The aim of this study is to look at the weak points of tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) operation for pelvic organ prolapse by reviewing recurrent cases. Five hundred and twenty-six transobturator TVM operations were performed at the University of Occupational and Environmental Health hospital from August 2006 to December 2011. Thirty-seven patients with pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) stage II or higher after their initial operations were diagnosed as recurrent and were enrolled in the present study. The patients' characteristics, procedures of the initial and second operations, and the recurrence rates in the pelvic organs were retrospectively reviewed. The median age, parity and body mass index of the patients were 66.5 years (range, 48-80), 2.2-times (range, 1-5) and 24.1 kg/m(2) (range, 17.6-32.1), respectively. The mean/median follow-up periods of the whole group were 29.7/35.9 months and the recurrent prolapse rate was 7.0% (37/526 cases). We performed reoperations in eight cases (8/526 cases; 1.5%). The median recurrent period after the initial operations was 6.9 months (range, 1-24). All recurrent cases showed severe prolapse with POP-Q stage III to IV before the initial operations. The uterus showed the most frequent recurrent prolapse after anterior posterior TVM or anterior TVM. Because the uterus is the most recurrent organ after TVM operations, TVM operations may not be sufficient for apical suspension.

Occurrence of Pre- and Postoperative Stress Urinary Incontinence in 105 Patients Who Underwent Tension-Free Vaginal Mesh Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Retrospective Study

Objective. To examine retrospectively the occurrence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in patients who underwent transvaginal mesh repair (TVM) for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods. The presence of preoperative SUI and postoperative changes in SUI was retrospectively analyzed for 105 patients who underwent TVM for POP between September 2009 and September 2012. Results. Preoperative SUI was observed in almost half of the patients (n = 50) who underwent TVM surgery. No significant differences were seen in patient age, pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) stage, or primary POP complaint between those with and without preoperative SUI. Of the 50 patients with preoperative SUI, SUI was resolved in 14 (28%) following TVM surgery. Of the 55 patients without preoperative SUI, de novo postoperative SUI appeared in 26 (47.3%), of whom approximately half experienced resolution or improvement of SUI within 6 months postoperatively. There was no relationship between preoperative residual urine volume and occurrence of postoperative SUI. Conclusion. TVM surgery is a useful surgical method that can replace traditional methods for treating POP, but sufficient informed consent with regards to the onset of postoperative SUI is required.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in female patients with pelvic organ prolapse: Efficacy of pelvic floor reconstruction

To evaluate the impact of pelvic floor reconstruction on lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with pelvic organ prolapse. We carried out a prospective study at a single institution. A total of 223 female patients who underwent tension-free vaginal mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapse between January 2006 and February 2010 were enrolled and prospectively evaluated. A total of 171 cases with concurrent stress urinary incontinence (76% of all cases) underwent concomitant transobturator tape sling. For evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms, parameters included International Prostate Symptom Score, its quality of life score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Short Form, overactive bladder questionnaire, maximal flow rate and postvoid residual. These parameters were evaluated at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. The severity of International Prostate Symptom Score total scores significantly correlated with preoperative pelvic organ prolapse quantification stages, overactive bladder questionnaire total scores and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Short Form scores. A total of 37% of stage 4 showed ≥20 International Prostate Symptom Score (severe cases). Postvoid residual significantly increased in stage 4 compared with stage 2. Tension-free vaginal mesh improved International Prostate Symptom Score, overactive bladder questionnaire and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires Short Form significantly, and also achieved grade 0 pelvic organ prolapse quantification in 91% of all cases at 1 year after surgery. Postvoid residual values significantly improved and remained stable for 1 year. Worse overactive bladder questionnaire score was a significant predictive factor for poor postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score. The tension-free vaginal mesh plus transobturator tape procedure improves lower urinary tract symptoms in the majority of patients presenting pelvic organ prolapse.

Tailor-Made Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapses: Correlation between Patient’s Height and Mesh Size

Tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery is a common and minimally invasive procedure for pelvic organ prolapses. Since commercial kits are not readily available in Japan, we have planned tailor-made mesh by information of each patient before every TVM surgery. The aim of this report is to inform methods to design mesh for individual patients with pelvic organ prolapses. We also investigated the correlations among mesh size and height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Before the operation, we obtained a KUB (abdominal X-ray). Three factors were measured from this X-ray: the first was the distance between the bilateral ischial spine, the second was the distance between the obturator foramen, and the third was the length of the arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP). These three factors always should be considered for designing of mesh. The correlations among the bilateral ischial spine distance, obturator foramen distance, ATFP length, height, weight, and BMI were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Although these three factors described above are necessary to design a mesh for individual patients, the bilateral ischial spine and obturator foramen distance correlated with the height of the patient. On the other hand, since the length of ATFP differs in each patient and is not correlated with height, we should consider this length when we design the mesh. Well-designed, tailor-made mesh will probably fit each pelvic organ prolapsed patient very well.

Secondary Transobturator Tape Procedure after Combined Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair

A 66-year-old female who underwent a partial urethrectomy complained of severe incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency. Bone anchor surgical technique was performed, but in 3 years, serious pelvic organ prolapse had occurred. Consequently, anterior and posterior tension-free vaginal mesh operation was planned. Preoperative urodynamic examination predicted postoperative stress incontinence, and concurrent transobturator tape (TOT) surgery was performed. After 3 months, stress incontinence reoccurred, and secondary TOT was performed. Relapse was probably caused by dislocation of the first TOT towards the bladder neck. Thus, the secondary TOT was placed distal to the initial tape towards the external urethral meatus, and proper tension was applied. After the operation, stress incontinence was cured. Thus, a second TOT procedure, with proper positioning and tensioning, can effectively cure stress incontinence that occurs after an initial TOT procedure.

Intraoperative Fluoroscopic Monitoring during TVM Surgery: Safer Procedure Even for Beginners

Tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery is a common and minimally invasive procedure for female pelvic organ prolapse. In 2004, this procedure was developed by a French group, and standardized surgical kits are now commercially available in many countries. Although it is less invasive, one of the shortcomings of this procedure is that it involves a single surgeon groping around with their fingers without any intraoperative monitoring. Therefore, using Intraoperative fluoroscopic monitoring during TVM surgery makes it safer, even for beginners. In this case, we performed TVM for the anterior vaginal wall. First, we used the c-arm of a fluoroscope to insert bilateral ureteral stents. A urethral catheter was then used for both urine drainage and contrast medium injection. In all procedures, we were able use fluoroscopic imaging whenever necessary. We were able to easily confirm the positions of the prolapsed bladder and the bilateral ureteral stents with fluoroscopic imaging, and the ischial spine was easy to locate before the procedure. We were also able to confirm the position of the top of the needle with fluoroscopic imaging whenever necessary. If a surgeon is worried about the risk of bladder injury during TVM surgery, they should inject contrast medium into the bladder at the start of the procedure. Intraoperative fluoroscopic monitoring during TVM surgery is easy and makes the procedure safer, even for beginners. Moreover, fluoroscopic imaging also allows intraoperative training. To avoid exposing the body to excess radiation, we must minimize the total length of the fluoroscopic examination.

Comparison of vaginal hysterectomy and tension-free vaginal mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapsus: review of the first 20 operations performed by a first-time surgeon

<em>Objective</em>. To review and compare the first 20 cases of vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and tension-free vaginal mesh (TVM) surgery for pelvic organ prolapsus (POP) performed by a first-time surgeon. <em>Method</em>. Operation time, anesthesia time, intraoperative bleeding volume and number of postoperative days in hospital were compared among the first 20 patients who underwent VH surgery or TVM surgery. <em>Results</em>. Operation time was 113.65±29.44 min in the VH group and 88.70±22.65 min in the TVM group, with the latter being significantly shorter. Anesthesia time was also significantly shorter in the TVM group. Intraoperative bleeding volume was ≤30 mL in 1 patient in the VH group, while the mean of the remaining 19 patients was 133.68±83.81 mL. In the TVM group, 14 patients had bleeding volumes of ≤30 mL, with the mean among the remaining 6 patients being 44.67±24.67 mL. The mean number of postoperative days in hospital was 13.3±3.6 days in the VH group and 5.6±2.64 days in the TVM group. When the first 20 patients treated by each surgical technique were divided into the first 10 and second 10 cases, operation and anesthesia times were significantly shortened in the second 10 cases compared with the first 10 cases in the VH group, but no significant differences were observed in the TVM group. <em>Conclusion</em>. TVM surgery should be considered as a first-line treatment for patients with POP since it is relatively easy to perform compared with conventional operations. Surgeons intending to perform TVM surgery, however, should have a full understanding of pelvic anatomy and POP status and receive instruction from experienced surgeons before progressing to practical training.

Female urology: What method will you select?

When I was a resident, my leader taught me that the gold standard forpatients with stress incontinence is the Marshall–Marchetti–Krantz(MMK) procedure. But a few years later, urologists who could performadvanced techniques showed me needle suspension as the best methodat a urological meeting. Fortunately my boss gave me a chance for ahand-to-hand lesson of the stamay procedure by the specialist. Sincethen, I have been selecting this procedure for a few years. Withoutdoubt, this needle suspension was the gold standard at that time.But now most urologists do not select this technique because of badresults. After I had mastered the technique of tension-free vaginal tape(TVT), I could see the smiling faces of patients after the operation. Atthat time I believed that TVT would be the gold standard for thiscondition. But the present status is what you know.Recently most specialists, including myself, believe that using‘mesh’ is the best operation for patients with pelvic organ prolapse. Isthis tendency good for the patients in the long run? No one can predictthe results of this procedure more than ten years from now.God knows what procedure will be the gold standard in the future.Assistant Professor Yasuyuki Suzuki