Surgical management of prolapse of the anterior vaginal segment: an analysis of support defects, operative morbidity, and anatomic outcome.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to describe a group of women with prolapse of the anterior vaginal segment associated with bilateral paravaginal defects, to report the morbidity associated with the operative repair, and to analyze the results of preoperative and postoperative pelvic support defects in five vaginal sites.

STUDY DESIGN

Between June 1, 1988, and Nov. 3, 1993, 62 consecutive women with prolapse of the anterior vaginal segment associated with bilateral periurethral and perivesicle support defects and other coexisting pelvic support defects were treated by paravaginal repair done via the vagina and total pelvic reconstruction. Site-specific analysis of support for the urethra, bladder, cervix or cuff, cul-de-sac, and rectum was performed preoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and longitudinally to assess the anatomic outcome of surgery. Perioperative morbidity was defined as hemorrhage requiring homologous blood transfusion, pelvic nerve injury, deep venous thrombosis, visceral injury, or infection.

RESULTS

One hundred percent of the study patients had preoperative evidence of bilateral paravaginal defects, and 87% had a prolapse of the anterior segment that was halfway to completely outside the hymen. Seven patients experienced perioperative morbidity none of which was unique to this procedure. Fifty-six patients have been followed up a mean of 1.6 years postoperatively. In four, anterior segment defects have developed to or through the hymen, although none is as large as the preoperative defect and none has required further surgery to date. In one patient a postoperative defect developed in the cul-de-sac extending to the hymen; she has had the defect repaired and has been followed up 1.7 years with no support defects.

CONCLUSION

Paravaginal repair performed transvaginally is a safe, effective method of management of prolapse of the anterior vagina associated with paravaginal defects. Coexisting support defects that require specific identification and repair can also be managed vaginally.