Transvaginal High Uterosacral Ligament Suspension Research Articles

Intraoperative Fluorescent Ureter Visualization for Transvaginal High Uterosacral Ligament Suspension for Severe Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of ureteral navigation using intra-ureteric indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging during transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension for prolapse repair to reduce the risk of iatrogenic ureteral injury. A cystoscope was inserted into the bladder, the tip of a 6-F open-end ureteral catheter was inserted into the ureteral orifices, and ICG was instilled into the ureters. The ureteral path was then clearly identified using NIRF imaging. Sutures were safely placed in the uterosacral ligaments at the level of the ischial spine, taking advantage of direct ureteral visualization. At the end of the procedure, diagnostic cystoscopy was performed to confirm ureteral patency. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Intra-ureteric ICG-NIRF imaging represents a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible trick for intraoperative ureteral detection, and could reassure surgeons during difficult operations, for instance, in the case of severe prolapse and/or when ureteral course abnormalities are expected.

Lower urinary tract injury in transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery

Objective: To explore the characteristics, prevention and treatment strategies of lower urinary tract injury in transvaginal reconstructive pelvic surgery (vRPS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 24 patients who suffered lower urinary tract injuries occuring in vRPS from January 2005 to June 2021, among which 4 cases were referred to our hospital from other hospitals. Results: (1) In our hospital, 1 952 patients underwent vRPS for anterior and (or) middle pelvic organ prolapse during that study period, with a 1.0% (20/1 952) incidence of lower urinary tract injuries occurring in 20 cases. (2) Ureteral injuries were observed in 14 cases who underwent transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (1.4%, 14/966). The symptoms were relieved after the removal of sutures. (3) Bladder injuries occurred in 6 cases in our hospital, with 4 cases (0.7%, 4/576) in anterior transvaginal mesh surgery (aTVM), one (0.4%, 1/260) in colpocleisis, and one (0.7%, 1/150) in apical suspension for fornix prolapse. An additional 4 cases of bladder injury were referred to our hospital after aTVM. Among the 8 cases of bladder injury during aTVM, 2 cases were intraoperative incidents. Cystoscopy confirmed that the superficial branch or puncture rod of anterior vaginal mesh had penetrated into the bladder. Re-puncturing and placement of the mesh were successfully performed. No abnormalities were observed during a follow-up period of 4-5 years. Postoperative bladder injuries were identified in 6 cases, characterized by mesh erosion into the bladder and formation of calculi. These injuries were confirmed between 6 months to 2 years after vRPS. The exposed mesh and calculi in the bladder were removed through laparotomy or cystoscopy, followed up for 2-12 years. One case experienced slight re-erosion of mesh to the bladder. Conclusions: Lower urinary tract injuries are difficult to avoid in vRPS, particularly in transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension and aTVM. However, the incidence is low. Lower urinary tract injuries during vRPS could be easily detected and managed intraoperatively because of the use of cystoscopy. As long-term postoperative complications, erosion of transvaginal mesh to lower urinary tract postoperatively could be treated correctly, seldom with severe sequelae.

High Uterosacral Ligament Suspension with Nonabsorbable Sutures in Apical Prolapse: A 24-Month Follow-Up

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common pathology affecting up to 60% of women. Transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUSLS) is an alternative treatment for apical prolapse. HUSLS has short operative and recovery time, as well as low complication rate. Objective: To evaluate the objective and subjective success rates in patients with apical prolapse who underwent HUSLS at Quilpué Hospital over a 24-month follow-up. Materials: A retrospective, observational, descriptive study was carried out, and all symptomatic patients with apical prolapse ? stage 2 POP-Q classification who underwent HUSLS between September 2014 and October 2019 were included in the study. Data were obtained from the database of the Urogynecology Unit of Quilpué Hospital, after approval by the ethics committee. Objective success was defined as C-point at 1 cm above the hymen, while subjective success was defined as “better” or “much better” in the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale and/or a visual analog scale (VAS) greater than 80% at 24 months of follow-up. Results: Of the 46 patients included in the study, the objective success rate was 84%, while the subjective success rate was 70%. Conclusion: Transvaginal HUSLS with permanent sutures is an excellent alternative treatment for apical prolapse, with a success rate similar to the gold standard at 24 months follow-up.

Long-term efficacy of transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension for middle-compartment defect-based pelvic organ prolapse.

BackgroundWe aim to assess the long-term efficacy of transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUS) procedure for middle compartment defect-based pelvic organ prolapse (POP).MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 84 women with middle-compartment defect-based POP who underwent transvaginal HUS as the primary surgical treatment without mesh augmentation from January 2007 to January 2019. All 84 patients manifested ≥ grade-II middle-compartment defect-based POP. Follow-up visits were performed 2, 6 and 12 months after surgery and then annually, including questionnaires and clinical examination using pelvic organ prolapse quantitation system (POP-Q). Surgical success required to fulfill all three of these criteria: (I) anterior or posterior vaginal wall prolapsed the leading edge of 0 cm or less and apex of 1/2 total vaginal length or less; (II) the absence of POP symptoms as reported on the PFDI-20 question No. 3 (“do you usually have a bulge or something falling out that you can see or feel in your vaginal area?”); and (III) no prolapse re-operations or pessary use during the study period.ResultsOf 84 women, 56 cases (66.7%, 56/84) were evaluated at a ≥5-year follow-up. The 5-year recurrence rates for patients with prolapse of either the anterior vaginal wall, vaginal vault, or posterior vaginal wall, or prolapses in multiple sites, were 7.1% (4/56), 0, 1.8% (1/56), and 3.6% (2/56), respectively. The surgery success rate was 87.5% (49/56). None of the recurrent women underwent retreatment. The satisfaction rate was 91.1% (51/56).ConclusionsTransvaginal HUS without mesh augmentation is a safe and effective procedure in the surgical treatment of patients with middle-compartment defects. Anatomical, functional, and subjective outcomes were very satisfactory.

A five-year analysis of effect on transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension with or without native-tissue repair for middle compartment defect

Objective: To assess the five-year effect of the transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUS) with or without additional concomitant native-tissue anterior and (or) posterior repair in women suffering from middle compartment defect. Methods: A retrospective review of records identified 79 women who underwent transvaginal HUS with or without additional concomitant native-tissue anterior and (or) posterior repair from January 2007 to January 2018 in Fourth Medical Center, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. The middle compartment defects were predominant in these patients with point C no less than point Ba or Bp if accompanied with anterior or posterior vaginal wall prolapse. Follow-up visits were performed 2,6 and 12 months after surgery and then annually. Anatomic results of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) was established by pelvic examination using pelvic organ prolapse quantitation system (POP-Q) staging. Funtional results were obtained by patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I) scale in POP, pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form (PFIQ-7). Surgical success required the fulfillment of all 3 criteria: (1) anterior or posterior vaginal wall prolapsed leading edge of 0 cm or less and apex of 1/2 total vaginal length or less; (2) the absence of POP symptoms as reported on the PFDI-20 question No.3 ( "Do you usually have a bulge or something falling out that you can see or feel in your vaginal area?" ); and (3) no prolapse reoperations or pessary use during the study period. Results: Of 79 women, 51(65%, 51/79) women completed the five-year follow-up during the study period. The median follow-up time was 5.2 years (2.8-8.3 years). The overall surgery success rate was 86% (44/51) according to above all 3 criteria. Prolapse recurrence rates were isolated anterior 8% (4/51), isolated apical 0, isolated posterior 2% (1/51) and multiple compartments 4% (2/51). Seven women (14%,7/51) developed anterior or posterior prolapse beyond the hymen with the leading edge≤1 cm. No apical prolapsed occurred. None of recurrent women underwent retreatment,including either surgery or pessary usage at last follow-up. The subjective satisfaction rate was 90% (46/51). There was a 1% (1/79) rate of intraoperative ureteral kinking and 3% (2/79) rate of postoperative morbidity. Conclusions: The transvaginal HUS for middle compartment defect offers good long-term anatomical results with excellent vault suspension. With additional concomitant native-tissue anterior and (or) posterior repair, it will be a reconstructive surgery for the majority of moderate-to-severe POP. It is minimal traumatic and worthy of being popularized for clinical application.

Transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension: An alternative to McCall culdoplasty in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse

ObjectivesDefects in female pelvic organ support are highly prevalent. Uterosacral ligament suspension at the time of primary prolapse repair (McCall culdoplasty) is a well-established surgical option to prevent prolapse recurrences.Recently Shull's high uterosacral ligament suspension technique has gained increasing popularity among Uro-Gynaecologists. A study carried out in 2017 by Spelzini et al. compared these two techniques, showing proper safety and efficacy in the treatment of prolapse, with no statistically significant differences as to operative time, complication rate, anatomical, functional and subjective outcomes [1]. Our study aims at comparing the effectiveness, complication rate, recurrence rate, quality of life and functional result of the two techniques. Study designThis is a retrospective study carried out on 224 patients who underwent vaginal cuff suspension for pelvic organ prolapse. Cases were extracted from hospital medical records of all women managed with surgical prolapse repair at our Gynaecology and Obstetrics department between January 2013 and February 2017. Shull suspension (group A) or McCall culdoplasty (group B) were performed according to surgeon's familiarity with the two suspension techniques. ResultsA total of 224 patients (69 in group A and 155 in group B) underwent surgical cuff suspension. Median operating time was 88 min for both techniques and ureteral injuries were very rare in both group A and B (1 and 0 respectively). In the evaluation of postoperative questionnaires, no statistically significant differences were found, except for "Urinary Impact Questionnaire" (UIQ), which showed significantly less urinary subjective symptoms in group A. Median follow up was 13 months in group A and 15 months in group B. Post-operative Pop-Q items analysis revealed only a higher Aa point in group A at 12 months follow up visit. Objective vaginal cuff recurrence was observed in 1 patient (1,4%) in group A and 4 patients in group B (2,6%) with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. ConclusionsBoth uterosacral ligament suspension procedures are safe and highly effective. There were no statistically significant differences concerning surgical data, complication rates, and the majority of anatomical, functional and subjective outcomes between Shull suspension and McCall culdoplasty.

Effectiveness of vaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension for treatment of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse

Objective: To evaluate the indications and clinic outcomes of vaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUS) for treatment of recurrent advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 42 women with recurrent advanced POP who were referred to Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital and underwent transvaginal HUS between November 2005 and January 2018. Primary surgeries included 30 vaginal colporrhaphy, 5 Manchester operation, 5 transvaginal mesh repair,2 sacrospinous ligament fixation.The median time for recurrence from primary pelvic floor repair surgery was 9 months, including 14 cases (33%, 14/42) ≤3 months (median time was 2 months) and 25 cases (67%, 28/42) longer than 3 months (median time was 18 months).The rate of recurrent prolapse in stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ was 79% (33 cases), 45% (19 cases) and 17%(7 cases) in anterior, apical and posterior compartment respectively. Results: Transvaginal high bilateral uterosacral ligaments were identified and used for successful vaginal vault suspension after vaginal hysterectomy and residual cervical resection in all 42 consecutive patients. The cases of transvaginal mesh used in anterior wall and posterior wall were 25 (60%, 25/42) and 3 (7%, 3/42) respectively. There was no major intra- and postoperative complications,such as ureter and other pelvic organ injury. The median time of follow-up was 5.3 years after transvaginal HUS. The points of pelvic organ prolapse quantification system reduced significantly and point C improved from +0.3 cm to -8.2 cm after reoperation (P<0.01). The objective cure rate were 100% (42/42) both in apex and posterior compartment,while 93% (39/42) in anterior compartment. None had reoperation or pessary usage for recurrence of prolapse. Conclusion: Transvaginal HUS with vaginal wall repair could be as a safety, cost-effective, minimal traumatic and durable procedure for recurrent POP in the most of cases.

Postoperative urinary retention after pelvic organ prolapse repair: Vaginal versus robotic transabdominal approach.

Postoperative urinary retention has been reported in 13-32% of patients that undergo pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair. The purpose of our study was to compare rates of urinary retention between transvaginal and robotic transabdominal approaches and identify risk factors for postoperative urinary retention following POP repair. Medical records of patients that underwent POP repair were reviewed. Surgeries included transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUSLS) and robotic-assisted sacral colpopexy (RASCP). All patients underwent a retrograde fill voiding trial (RGVT) postoperatively. Demographics, comorbidities, preoperative urodynamic findings, and surgical procedures were compared between women that passed their RGVT and those that did not. Out of 484 patients reviewed, 333 underwent POP repair with a transvaginal HUSLS and 151 underwent RASCP. Postoperative urinary retention was identified in 128 (26.4%) patients where 113 underwent transvaginal HUSLS and 15 underwent RASCP. The odds ratio (OR) of postoperative urinary retention following transvaginal HUSLS was 3.26 (CI 1.72-6.18; P < 0.001) compared to RASCP. Older age was also a risk factor for postoperative urinary retention (OR 1.03, CI 1.01-1.05; P = 0.012). While parity, preoperative post-void residual (PVR), and rates of concomitant transvaginal anterior/posterior repair were significantly higher in patients that developed postoperative urinary retention on univariate analysis, these factors did not demonstrate significance on multivariate analysis. Transvaginal HUSLS demonstrates a 3.26 OR for postoperative urinary retention compared to the robotic transabdominal approach. Older age is also a significant risk factor whereas parity, preoperative PVR, and rates of concomitant transvaginal anterior/posterior repair were not significant risk factors on multivariate analysis.

Long-term effectiveness of transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension

Objective: To assess the long-term effectiveness of the transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension (HUS) in women suffering from advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: A retrospective review of records identified 118 women who underwent transvaginal HUS with or without additional concomitant anterior and (or) posterior repairs from June 2003 to August 2009 in the First Affiliated Hospital, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. Of 118 women, 104 women completed the follow-up during study period; these 104 women were analysed. Follow-up visits were performed 2, 6 and 12 months after surgery and then annually. Anatomic results of POP was established by pelvic examination using pelvic organ prolapse quantitation system (POP-Q) staging. Funtional results were obtained by patient global impression of improvement (PGI-I), pelvic floor distress inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form (PFIQ-7). Surgical success required the fulfillment of all 3 criteria: (1) prolapse leading edge of 0 cm or less and apex of 1/2 total vaginal length or less; (2) the absence of pelvic organ prolapse symptoms as reported on the PFDI-20 question No. 3 ( "Do you usually have a bulge or something falling out that you can see or feel in your vaginal area?" ); and (3) no prolapse reoperations or pessary use during the study period. Results: The mean follow-up time was (9.1±1.5) years. The overall surgery success rate was 91.3% (95/104) according to above all 3 criteria. Prolapse recurrence rates were isolated anterior 6.7% (7/104), isolated apical 0, isolated posterior 2.9% (3/104) and multiple compartments 1.0% (1/104). Five women (4.8%, 5/104) developed bothersome vaginal bulge symptoms. None of recurrent women underwent retreatment, including either surgery or use of a pessary at last follow-up. The subjective satisfaction rate was 90.4% (94/104). PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores showed a statistically significant improvement from preoperative 72 and 65 points to postoperative 17 and 9 points respectively (all P<0.01). There was a 2.9% (3/104) rate of intraoperative ureteral kinking and 3.8% (4/104) rate of postoperative morbidity. Conclusions: The transvaginal HUS for vault prolapse offers good long-term anatomical results with excellent vault suspension. With additional concomitant anterior and (or) posterior repairs, it will be a reconstructive surgery for the majority of advanced POP. It is minimal traumatic and appropriate for different type of POP, especially for the eldly patients. It is worthy of being popularized for clinical application.

Subjective and Objective Outcomes of Robotic and Vaginal High Uterosacral Ligament Suspension.

This study was designed to assess the short-term outcomes in patients undergoing robotic or transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension for symptomatic apical prolapse at the time of hysterectomy. This retrospective study used hospital and office electronic medical records to identify patients with symptomatic stage 2 to 4 prolapse, who had undergone either a robotic or transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension from July 2010 to January 2014. The database was searched using procedural codes for uterosacral ligament suspension. Each patient was contacted 1 year postoperatively to answer the pelvic floor distress inventory-20 via telephone, and this was compared to their initial preprocedural baseline questionnaire. Our primary outcome included the fulfillment of 3 criteria: (1) Prolapse leading edge of 0 or less and apex of ½ total vaginal length or less; (2) the absence of pelvic organ prolapse symptoms as reported on the pelvic floor distress inventory-20 question No. 3; and (3) no prolapse reoperations or pessary use during the study period. Ninety-two percent (24/26) in the robotic group and 85% (36/42) in the vaginal group (P = 0.46) successfully fulfilled these outcome criteria. There was no significant difference in the operative data between the 2 groups. There were no intraoperative complications in either group. These short-term outcomes are promising and show a high success rate for the uterosacral ligament suspension at the time of a hysterectomy regardless of whether it was performed vaginally or robotically.

Long-term outcomes of the high vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension in treatment of the severe pelvic organ prolapse

To investigate the long-term objective and subjective outcomes of the transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension(HUS) in treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP) . From Jun. 2003 to Mar.2013, 136 patients with severe POP quantitation (POP-Q) stage III-IV underwent transvaginal hysterectomy and HUS operation in the First Affiliated Hospital, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army. And 125 patients (91.9%, 125/136) were followed up at a mean of 5.4 years (range of 4.2-9.2 years) . Anterior colporrhaphy (79.2%, 99/125), posterior colporrhaphy (64.0%, 80/125), the perineorrhaphy (96.0%, 120/125) and tension-free suburethral slings (37.6%, 47/125) were performed concurrently, in which 53 (65%, 53/81) patients with severe cystocele and 5 patients (15%, 5/34) with rectocele were augmented with mesh, respectively. Concurrent operation and complications were studied. The objective success of the operation was defined as the leading vaginal edge above hymen.Subjective results were obtained quality-of-life questionnaires, including pelvic floor distress inventory short form (PFDI-20) and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form (PFIQ-7). The mean interval of following up was (5.4 ± 1.2) years.Four patients presented mild anterior vaginal wall prolapse, and the recurrence rate were 3.2% (4/125), but no reoperation and pessary treatment were needed. Therefore, the subjective and objective satisfaction rate was 94.4% (118/125) and 96.8% (121/125). The mean scores of PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 at 5 years after the operations were 8, 7, significantly lower than 62, 64 (P < 0.01). There were 3 cases of ureter obstruction. Tension-free vaginal tape was performed on 47 cases with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) as indicated. The symptom of 2 patients was not improved significantly after the operation, but one was improved after 6 months. The rate of denovo SUI was in 2(1.6%, 2/125) patients, but no further treatment was needed. The transvaginal HUS was then conformed to be a safe, minimal traumatic, highly successful and durable procedure for severe POP, so it is worthy of being popularized for clinical application.