Uterine-sparing laparoscopic lateral suspension in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

AIM: Apical prolapse is an important component of pelvic organ prolapse. The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of laparoscopic lateral suspension (LLS) surgery, which we performed while sparing the uterus.

METHODS

LLS surgery was performed on 62 patients due to apical prolapse, preserving their uterus. The patients' pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) points and sexual function using pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence sexual function questionnaire (PISQ-12) prior to and 12 months following the surgery were compared, and the results were evaluated.

RESULTS

The POP-Q points and PISQ-12 scores evaluating sexual function of the patients who underwent LLS were significantly improved compared to pre-operation values (p ˂ 0.001). No intraoperative complications were observed in the patients. Recurrence was observed in 6 (9.6%) of 62 total cases in post-operative follow-up. Apical prolapse was seen in two patients (3.2%), and anterior vaginal wall recurrence was observed in one patient (1.6%). Posterior vaginal wall recurrence was seen in three patients (4.8%). Pelvic pain complications were observed in four patients (6.4%) in the postoperative follow-up. Mesh erosion was not observed in any of the cases. It was observed that 5 (38%) of 13 patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) had improved SUI complaints after surgery. The mean operation time was 66.3 ± 12.3 min.

CONCLUSION

LLS is an effective and safe method for patients with apical prolapse who want to preserve their uterus. LLS can be applied as an alternative to the sacrocolpopexy procedure, which has risks such as potentially serious neurological and life-threatening vascular injury in the sacral region.