Outcomes of Anterior Colporrhaphy Versus Graft Reinforced Anterior Prolapse Repair

The purpose of this study is determine whether grafted anterior vaginal prolapse repair is more effective and associated with less complications than prolapse repair with suture.

Successful correction of anterior vaginal prolapse remains one of the most challenging aspects of pelvic reconstructive surgery. Up to 70% have recurrent prolapse following anterior colporrhaphy. The low success rate has consequently led to widespread use of grafts in anterior vaginal prolapse repair. While both biologic grafts and polyglactin 910 mesh have yielded disappointing results, uncontrolled studies have demonstrated low recurrence rates with polypropylene mesh reinforcement. The Perigee Transobturator Prolapse Repair System (Perigee TPRS) (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota) is used to repair anterior vaginal prolapse via a transobturator approach. Specially-designed helical needles are utilized to attach either a porcine dermal (InteXenTM) or soft polypropylene (InteProTM) graft to the pelvic sidewall at four points. We designed this randomized control trial to compare the anatomic success rates, effect on quality of life and sexual symptom scores, and rates of adverse events of the Perigee TPRS with polypropylene mesh to that of anterior colporrhaphy.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification Point Ba is the most distal position of any part of the anterior vagina between point Aa and the vaginal cuff or anterior vaginal fornix. Better vaginal support is assigned a negative value (ie, if there is no prolapse, point Ba is -3 cm by definition). Vaginal prolapse beyond the hymen, indicating worse vaginal support, is assigned a positive value (this may be equal to the total vaginal length at the maximum). Recurrent stage II or greater anterior vaginal prolapse is defined as POPQ Point Ba measurement equal to or greater (more positive) than -1.

Vaginal mesh exposure defined as appearance of mesh, placed during the index surgery, not covered by overlying vaginal epithelium on postoperative pelvic exams subsequent to the first postoperative exam. May be either symptomatic or asymptomatic. This was not differentiated in the statistical analysis.

Inclusion Criteria: stage II or greater anterior vaginal prolapse requiring surgical correction age 21 years and older Exclusion Criteria: less than Stage II anterior vaginal prolapse decline participation pregnant or contemplating future pregnancy prior anterior vaginal prolapse repair with biologic or synthetic graft active or latent systemic infection compromised immune system previous pelvic irradiation or cancer known hypersensitivity to polypropylene uncontrolled diabetes mellitus unable or unwilling to give valid informed consent unable or unwilling to comply with the protocol scheduled to undergo concomitant Burch colposuspension or pubovaginal sling

Gauruder-Burmester A, Koutouzidou P, Rohne J, Gronewold M, Tunn R. Follow-up after polypropylene mesh repair of anterior and posterior compartments in patients with recurrent prolapse. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2007 Sep;18(9):1059-64. doi: 10.1007/s00192-006-0291-7. Epub 2007 Jan 12.

Nguyen JN, Burchette RJ. Outcome after anterior vaginal prolapse repair: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Apr;111(4):891-8. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31816a2489.