Safety and one year outcomes following vaginally assisted laparoscopic uterine sacropexy (VALUES) for advanced uterine prolapse.

AIMS

To assess the safety and outcomes of vaginally assisted laparoscopic uterine sacropexy (VALUES) as a surgical treatment for stage 3 and 4 uterine prolapse.

METHODS

Seventy consecutive women with stage 3 and 4 uterine prolapse who underwent VALUES over 2-year period were prospectively evaluated. Women filled the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL), and underwent examination using pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) pre- and post-operatively. In addition, patients filled the patient global impression of improvement questionnaire post-operatively. Mesh related complications were evaluated post-operatively. Patients were followed up at 3 and 12 months following surgery. This study reports the 12 months outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty-four women (91.4%) reported cure of their prolapse symptoms. On examination, 67 women (95.7%) had POP-Q stage 0 or 1 uterine support at 12 months. Six women needed further surgical intervention for prolapse (8.5%); three women developed recurrent uterine prolapse and three other women developed symptomatic recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse. The total vaginal length was not different between the pre- and post-operative periods. Two patients developed mesh related complications. Significant improvement was noted in prolapse symptoms and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

VALUES is a safe and effective treatment for women with stage 3 and 4 uterine prolapse up to 12 months without the risk of vaginal shortening. Long-term results are needed to fully establish the value of this technique.