Vaginal vault fixation and prevention of enterocele recurrence by high midline levator myorraphy: physical examination and questionnaire-based follow-up.

OBJECTIVES

To assess outcome following a vaginal repair (high midline levator myorraphy, HMLM) for vaginal vault prolapse.

METHODS

Women were identified who had undergone HMLM between December 1995 and September 1998. A structured telephone interview consisting of 5 questions was conducted in all those who could be reached. The most recent results of physical examination, based on office records, were also collected.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of 47 women completed the interview (average age 71 years, mean time since surgery, 27.9 months). Five patients had developed recurrent prolapse requiring repair (anterior enterocele in 3, vault prolapse in 1, symptomatic cystocele in 1). Recurrent cystoceles were noted on examination in 7 women (5 grade 1, 2 grade 2). Overall, 17 women were extremely satisfied with the result (>90% satisfied); 6 were dissatisfied (<50%). Five women were noted to have transiently reduced unilateral ureteral drainage intraoperatively, and all cases were resolved after the removal or replacement of one of the levator myorraphy sutures. One patient required re-exploration for ureteral obstruction, which resolved after replacement of a suture and stenting.

CONCLUSIONS

Levator myorraphy is safe, effective, and easily taught. The rate of recurrent prolapse associated with this technique is similar to other techniques for vaginal vault fixation, but it avoids the disadvantages of an abdominal approach and is more technically straightforward to perform than sacrospinalis fixation.