Recurrent prolapse after sacrocolpopexy for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse

Summary

This study looked at the subjective and objective long-term outcome of abdominal sacrocolpopexy for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse, with emphasis on recurrent prolapse. It included 42 patients who had abdominal sacrocolpopexy for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse from 1994 to 2004. Patients were invited for a follow-up visit to assess the objective and subjective outcome. The notes of 35 patients (83.3%) were available and 22 attended for follow-up (52.4%). None of them had a recurrent vault prolapse (0% direct failure rate). However, 20 cases (20%) had a repair operation by the time they were invited for follow-up and 18 of those attending for follow-up had anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall prolapse (81.8% indirect failure rate). Nonetheless, only eight of these (44.4%) were symptomatic, bringing the rate of indirect recurrences requiring management to 50%. Concomitant or prior repair operation was associated with a lower incidence of indirect recurrence. The incidence of urodynamic stress incontinence and detrusor overactivity was 13.6% and bowel emptying dysfunction was 4.5%.

Keywords:

• Gore-Tex mesh
• post-hysterectomy
• recurrent prolapse
• sacrocolpopexy
• vault prolapse