Total pelvic mesh repair: A ten-year experience

INTRODUCTION:This report describes our technique and experience in restoring the pelvic floor of females with pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS:Total pelvic mesh repair uses a strip of Marlex Mesh® secured between the perineal body and the sacrum. Two additional strips, attached to the first, are tunneled laterally to the pubis and support the vagina and bladder laterally. Candidates for the procedure have failed previous standard repair or manifest combined organ prolapse on physical and cystodefecography exams. RESULTS:From January 1990 to December 1999, 236 females had total pelvic mesh repair, and 205 (87 percent) were available for follow-up. Median age was 64 (range, 32-89) years, median parity 2 (range, 1-9); 63 percent had birth-related complications. Bladder protrusion, vaginal protrusion, or both were the predominant chief complaint (54 percent), followed by anorectal protrusion (48 percent). Findings on physical examination showed degrees of prolapse of rectum (74 percent) and vagina (57 percent), perineal descent (63 percent), enterocele (47 percent), and rectocele (44 percent). Mean procedure time and length of hospital stay were 3.2 (standard deviation 0.75) hours and 6 (standard deviation 2.2) days, respectively. Reoperation rate because of complications of the total pelvic mesh repair procedure was 10 percent. Marlex® erosion into rectum or vagina occurred in 5 percent of patients and constituted 46 percent of the complications requiring reoperation. Additional surgical procedures at various intervals subsequent to total pelvic mesh repair have been performed in 36 percent of patients to further improve bladder function and have been performed in 28 percent of patients to improve anorectal function. There has been no recurrence of rectal or vaginal prolapse to date. Reports of overall satisfaction for correction of primary symptoms for patients grouped into early (0.5-3 years), middle (>3-6 years) and late (>6 years) were 68 percent, 73 percent, and 74 percent respectively. CONCLUSION:Total pelvic mesh repair is a safe and effective operation for females with pelvic organ prolapse.