Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the perioperative morbidity associated with transvaginal mesh repair of pelvic organ prolapse.

METHODS:

During a 6-month time period, 25 centers registered all surgical procedures using a commercially available mesh. The frequency and type of perioperative complications, during surgery and the associated hospital stay, were documented using a standardized protocol.

RESULTS:

During the inclusion period, 248 women underwent transvaginal mesh surgery: anterior repair in 106 patients (43%), posterior repair in 71 (29%), combined anterior and posterior repair in 20 (8%), and total repair in 51 (21%). Mean age was 67.8 years (+/-10.3 standard deviation) and median parity was 2 (range 0-6). Surgery for prolapse recurrence was performed in 56% of the patients (n=140), and 91% (n=225) had undergone at least one previous pelvic floor surgical procedure. Serious complications occurred in 4.4% of patients (n=11) and were dominated by visceral injury (10 of 11 cases). One case of bleeding in excess of 1,000 mL occurred. Minor complications occurred in 14.5% of patients (n=36), and the majority were urinary tract infections, urinary retention, and postoperative fever. A multivariable risk analysis showed that concurrent pelvic floor surgery was associated with an increased risk for minor complications, odds ratio 2.8 (95% confidence interval 1.1-6.9). There were no other predictors of outcomes when assessing the association with age, parity, weight, previous pelvic floor surgery, previous hysterectomy, or concurrent hysterectomy.

CONCLUSION:

Perioperative serious complications are uncommon after transvaginal mesh procedures although particular care should be taken to detect visceral injury at the time of surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

III.