Aims: The sacrouterine ligament/cardinal (SULC) complex and prerectal fascia attach at the perineal body, forming a single support unit preventing levator descent. Many patients with vault prolapse have levator descent and widening of the hiatus. Existing transvaginal procedures do not address pelvic floor descent. We describe a technique utilizing polypropylene mesh to repair pelvic floor relaxation and prevent levator descent, along with restoration of the SULC complex in vaginal vault repair.
Materials and methods: We prospectively evaluated 50 patients who had a transvaginal mesh vault/posterior wall reconstruction. A T-shaped soft prolene mesh is prepared fixing the two arms of the mesh and recreating the SULC complex in support of the cuff. The vertical segment of the mesh is transferred over the prerectal fascia and secured to the pelvic floor musculature. The rectocele is repaired incorporating the mesh distally preventing pelvic floor descent. Surgical outcome was determined by patient self-assessment including quality of life (QoL) measure as well as pelvic examination using POP-Q staging.
Results: Mean age was 67 years. Mean follow-up was 6 months (range 3-12). There were no intraoperative complications. There have been two apical (4%) recurrences. Mean QoL score postoperatively on a 0-6 scale was 0.74 (0 = delighted, 1 = pleased). Pelvic floor descent has been repaired on all patients. Postoperative POP-Q reveals restoration of normal anatomy.
Conclusions: We report a new technique that recreates the SULC complex in support of the vaginal vault with the aid of prolene mesh. It is the first transvaginal procedure described to reconstruct the pelvic floor in attempt to prevent pelvic floor descent.
(c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.