Female genital prolapse surgery using ultra lightweight polypropylene mesh

AIM: To compare the results of female genital prolapse (FGP) surgery via vaginal access using lightweight and ultra-lightweight polypropylene mesh.MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2007 to 2011, 93 women aged from 46 to 71 years with II-IV stage FGP (POP-Q classification) were examined and underwent the vaginal extra-peritoneal colpopexy using polypropylene implants in the Department of Urology. Patients were divided into 2 groups. In patients of group 1 (n=50) the surgery was performed according to a newly developed technique using perforated ultra-lightweight (surface density 19 g/m2) domestically manufactured polypropylene implant. In group 2, a standard trocar set with light (surface density of 42.7 g/m2) foreign-made polypropylene implants was used.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Long-term follow-up was from 1 to 5 years. General surgical complications (urinary bladder injury, blood loss over 300 ml, perineal and vaginal hematomas) were detected in 2 (4%) patients of group 1 and in 7 (16.3%) patients of group 2. The most common specific mesh-related complication was the vaginal wall erosion, which was observed in 4 (9.3%) patients of group 2 and in 1 (2%) patient of group 1. FGP recurrence was diagnosed in 5 (10%) patients of group 1 in the non-treated part and in 8 (18.6%) patients of group 2. Three patients (7%) in group 2 developed recurrent cystocele due to the shrinkage of the mesh implant which was not observed in group 1. At 12 month follow-up, the results of FGP surgical treatment were estimated as good (full functional recovery and no FGP recurrence) in 41 (82%) and 32 (74.4%) patients of groups 1 and 2, respectively.CONCLUSION: We have developed a method of vaginal extra-peritoneal colpopexy using a perforated ultra-lightweight polypropylene implant. This technique has resulted in the absence of recurrence in the treated part of FGP, and 4.1, 4.2 and 4.7 fold reductions in the incidence of general surgical complications, vaginal wall erosions and perineal and vaginal hematomas, respectively, compared with FGP patients undergoing the placement of the lightweight polypropylene implant using the standard trocar set.