Benjamin Feiner

Complication and reoperation rates after apical vaginal prolapse surgical repair: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative complication and reoperation rates for surgical procedures correcting apical vaginal prolapse. DATA SOURCES: Eligible studies were selected through an electronic literature search covering January 1985 to January 2008 using PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews and Effects. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Only clinical trials and observational studies addressing apical prolapse repair and recurrence or complication rates were included. The search was restricted to original articles published in English with 50 or more participants and a follow-up period of 3 months or longer. Oral platform and poster presentations from the American Urogynecological Society, the Society for Gynecologic Surgeons, the International Urogynecological Association, and the International Continence Society from January 2005 to December 2007 were hand searched to determine whether they were eligible for inclusion. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Procedures were separated into three groups: traditional vaginal surgery, sacral colpopexy, and vaginal mesh kits. Complications were classified using the Dindo grading system. Weighted averages were calculated for each Dindo grade, complication, and reoperation. Dindo grade IIIa (433/3,425 women) and IIIb (245/3,425) rates were highest in the mesh kit group owing to higher rates of mesh erosion (198/3,425) and fistulae (8/3,425). Reoperation rates for prolapse recurrence were highest in the traditional vaginal surgery group (308/7,827). The total reoperation rate was greatest in the mesh kit group (291/3, 425, 8.5%). CONCLUSION: The rate of complications requiring reoperation and the total reoperation rate was highest for vaginal mesh kits despite a lower reoperation rate for prolapse recurrence and shorter overall follow-up.

Efficacy and safety of transvaginal mesh kits in the treatment of prolapse of the vaginal apex: a systematic review

Background  Vaginal mesh kits are being used to surgically treat apical vaginal prolapse; however, their safety and efficacy are currently unknown.

Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy versus total vaginal mesh for vaginal vault prolapse: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE To compare the laparoscopic sacral colpopexy and total vaginal mesh for vaginal vault prolapse. STUDY DESIGN Women with symptomatic stage ≥2 vault prolapse were randomly allocated the laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (53) or total vaginal mesh (55). Primary outcome measures were objective success rates at pelvic organ prolapse quantification sites individually and collectively. Secondary outcome measures included perioperative outcomes, patient satisfaction, quality of life outcomes, complications, and reoperations. RESULTS The laparoscopic sacral colpopexy group had a longer operating time, reduced inpatient days, and quicker return to activities of daily living as compared with the total vaginal mesh group. At the 2-year review, the total objective success rate at all vaginal sites was 41 of 53 (77%) for laparoscopic sacral colpopexy as compared with 23 of 55 (43%) in total vaginal mesh (P < .001). Reoperation rate was significantly higher after the vaginal mesh surgery 12 of 55 (22%) as compared with laparoscopic sacral colpopexy 3 of 53 (5%) (P = .006). CONCLUSION At 2 years, the laparoscopic sacral colpopexy had a higher satisfaction rate and objective success rate than the total vaginal mesh with lower perioperative morbidity and reoperation rate.

Vaginal mesh contraction: definition, clinical presentation, and management

OBJECTIVE: While transvaginal polypropylene mesh is increasingly used in the management of pelvic organ prolapse, contraction of the mesh after implantation may cause substantial morbidity. This report defines the clinical entity of vaginal mesh contraction. METHODS: This is a case series of women who underwent surgical intervention for the management of symptomatic vaginal mesh contraction in our tertiary referral urogynecology center between January 2007 and December 2008. We evaluated the presenting symptoms, examination findings, subsequent management, and outcome. RESULTS: Seventeen women with vaginal mesh contraction were included in this series. Clinical presentation included severe vaginal pain, aggravated by movement (17 of 17), dyspareunia in all sexually active women (14 of 14), and focal tenderness over contracted portions of the mesh on vaginal examination (17 of 17), commonly involving the lateral fixation arms. Mesh erosion (9 of 17), vaginal tightness (7 of 17), and shortening (5 of 17) were frequently present. Surgical intervention consisted of mobilization of the mesh from the underlying tissue, division of fixation arms from the central graft, and excision of contracted mesh. After surgery, 88% (15 of 17; 95% confidence interval 73–104) of women have experienced substantial reduction in vaginal pain and 64% (9 of 14; 95% confidence interval 39–89) experienced substantial reduction in dyspareunia. Three women required subsequent excision of the entire accessible mesh because of persisting symptoms. CONCLUSION: Vaginal mesh contraction is a serious complication after prolapse repair with armed polypropylene mesh that is associated with substantial morbidity, frequently requiring surgical intervention. Research and development is urgently needed for newer graft materials with diminished shrinkage properties. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Surgical removal of a large vaginal calculus formed after a tension-free vaginal tape procedure

Vaginal calculus is a rare disorder which has been reported in association with urethral diverticulum, urogenital sinus anomaly, bladder exstrophy and the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. We report a 42-year-old woman who presented with persistent, intractable urinary tract infection (UTI) following a TVT procedure. Cystoscopy demonstrated an eroded tape with the formation of a bladder calculus, and the patient underwent laser cystolithotripsy and cystoscopic resection of the tape. Following this procedure, her UTI completely resolved and she remained asymptomatic for several years. Seven years later she presented with a solid vaginal mass. Pelvic examination followed by transvaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large vaginal calculus located at the lower third of the anterior vaginal wall adjacent to the bladder neck. This video presents the transvaginal excision and removal of the vaginal calculus.