Medium-term outcomes of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy or sacrohysteropexy versus vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation for middle compartment prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To compare laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) or sacrohysteropexy (LSH) with vaginal sacrospinous ligament fixation (VSSLF) for middle compartment pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

METHODS: Data were retrospectively reviewed from patients with POP (stage 3 or worse) who underwent LSC, LSH, or VSSLF at a center in Shanghai between January 2009 and March 2014. POP quantification (POP-Q) and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory scores were compared at the 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS: Data were available for the 2-year follow-up for 102 LSC, 11 LSH, and 94 VSSLF procedures. Compared with patients who had undergone VSSLF, those who had undergone LSC/LSH had better POP-Q C values (P<0.001), longer total vaginal length (TVL) (P<0.001), and lower Aa and Ba scores (P=0.003 and P=0.002, respectively). Apical compartment and overall success rates of LSC/LSH and VSSLF did not differ significantly. Quality of life was improved in both groups (P<0.001). Both groups achieved symptomatic relief, although bowel and urinary functions were significantly improved only in the VSSLF group (P<0.001 for both). More patients in the LSC/LSH group were sexually active at 2 years (P<0.001); improvement in sex life was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION: Although LSC/LSH achieved longer TVL, both groups achieved the same success rate and improvement in quality of life. Specifically, VSSLF yielded a significant improvement in bowel and urinary function.