Do biomechanical properties of anterior vaginal wall prolapse tissue predict outcome of surgical repair?

PURPOSE: We determined the relevance of the biomechanical properties of freshly harvested vaginal tissue during large cystocele repair on clinical outcome at a minimum 1-year followup.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

With institutional review board approval we prospectively studied the biomechanical properties of full thickness vaginal wall tissue from postmenopausal women with symptomatic Baden-Walker prolapse undergoing anterior vaginal wall suspension with cystocele repair from 2002 to 2005. A standardized biomechanical protocol was applied with stress-strain curves for Young's modulus obtained by blinded investigators. Failed repair was defined as recurrence on examination or reoperation for recurrent anterior prolapse.

RESULTS

A total of 32 patients (median age 72 years) had a median followup of 34 months (range 12 to 62). Median Young's modulus was statistically different in tissue samples transported in immersed vs moistened media (median 3.8 vs 7.6, p = 0.008). Associations between Young's modulus and clinical variables were described. On followup 7 patients experienced failure of the repair. After controlling for tissue transport protocol no association was seen between Young's modulus and failures (HR 1.1, p = 0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found no association between Young's modulus and clinical results at long-term followup. This finding suggests that retropubic scarring and pelvic floor muscle properties may be more important for a successful reparative outcome than the intrinsic properties of the vaginal wall.