Factors associated with exposure of transvaginally placed polypropylene mesh for pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study evaluates potential risk factors for mesh exposure following transvaginal placement of polypropylene mesh for pelvic organ prolapse requiring reoperation.

METHODS

We performed a case-control study. Cases had mesh exposure requiring surgical revision; controls had no mesh exposures and were chosen for similar surgical date and type of mesh.

RESULTS

We identified 48 cases and 48 controls. The adjusted odds ratio of having a bleeding complication at the time of mesh implantation was 7.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-35.66], smokers versus nonsmokers was 3.17 (95% CI 0.59-17.12), and being 1 year older was 0.96 (95% CI 0.92-1.0), among women with mesh exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified bleeding complications at the time of mesh implantation as a risk factor for mesh exposure requiring reoperation. Despite being one of the largest studies on this topic, our data were inconclusive regarding the impact of other possible factors on mesh exposure.