Efficacy and 9 years' follow-up of posterior intravaginal slingplasty for genital prolapse

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term efficacy and complication rates of posterior intravaginal slingplasty (IVS) in women suffering from genital prolapse. Material and Methods Posterior IVS or infracoccygeal sacropexy is a minimally invasive procedure for suspension of the vagina with the goal of creating new uterosacral ligaments through the insertion of a polypropylene tape. Forty‐four patients were enrolled: 25 patients, affected by uterovaginal prolapse, were subjected to vaginal hysterectomy and posterior IVS; and 19 patients, diagnosed with vaginal vault prolapse, were subjected to posterior IVS alone. The primary outcome for posterior IVS was 12‐month, 24‐month and annual 9‐year postoperative efficacy that is based on a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitative score of −5 at point C, which describes the vaginal apex. Results Of the 44 patients who underwent posterior IVS, none required blood transfusions with an average reduction of perioperative hemoglobin of 1.2 ± 0.4 g/dl, and the average time of hospitalization was 4.3 ± 0.6 days. The rate of success was 93.18% (41/44) at 9 years' follow‐up. We had only one case of extrusion (2.27%) and three cases of recurrence (6.82%), such as two cases of cystocele and of rectocele. Conclusions Most patients interviewed confirmed that their quality of life improved after surgery, 86.36% of the operated patients reported that their sexual performance improved and that they would recommend this surgery for their friends. Posterior IVS was a minimally invasive surgical procedure with a high success rate for genital prolapse.