Anatomical and functional outcomes after bilateral sacrospinous colposuspension (BSC) for the treatment of female genital prolapse

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse is a bothersome condition affecting many women at advanced age, but also frequently observed in young women with certain risk factors. Various surgical techniques have been developed with the aim of providing effective surgical treatment for apical prolapse. The vaginal bilateral sacrospinous colposuspension surgery (BSC) with ultralight mesh and utilization of the i- stich is a relatively new minimal invasive technique with very promising outcomes. The technique offers apical suspension, in the presence or absence of the uterus. The objective of this study is to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of bilateral sacrospinous colposuspension with ultralight mesh in 30 Patients treated with the vaginal single incision standardized technique. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 30 patients were treated by BSC for significant vaginal, uterovaginal or cervical prolapse. A simultaneous anterior colporrhaphy, posterior colporrhaphy or both were performed when indicated. Anatomical and functional outcomes were assessed 1 year postoperatively using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system (POP-Q) and the standardised Prolapse Quality of Life (P-QOL) questionnair. RESULTS: The POP-Q parameters were significantly improved at twelve months after surgery compared to baseline. The total score and all four subdomains of the P-QOL-questionnaire showed positive trends and improvement at twelve months after surgery when compared to preoperative values. All patients were asymptomatic and expressed high satisfaction one year after surgery. No intraoperative adverse events were recorded for all patients. Only minimal postoperative complications were recorded and they all resolved completely with conservative management. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the functional and anatomical outcomes of the minimally invasive vaginal bilateral sacrospinal colposuspension with ultralight mesh for the management of apical prolapse. The one year postoperative results of the proposed procedure reflect excellent outcomes with minimal complications. The data published here are very promising and warrant further investigations and more studies to evaluate the long-term outcomes of BSC in the surgical management of apical defects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany (Date of registration: 08.02.2022) (Registration number: 21-1494-retro) (retrospectively registered).