The Austrian Sacrocolpopexy Registry: Surgical Techniques, Perioperative Safety, and Complications

Abstract

Study objective: Sacrocolpopexy (SCP) has become the standard procedure to correct uterovaginal prolapse in women, but techniques and approaches are not standardized. We report the results of the Austrian Sacrocolpopexy Registry, which aimed to collect data on surgical techniques and perioperative outcomes.

Design: The Austrian Urogynecology Working Group initiated a registry to assess surgical variability and perioperative safety of SCP. The study was performed at 14 centers (13 in Austria,1 in Switzerland). Institutional review board approvals were obtained.

Patients: Consecutive patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Interventions: SCP in the course of routine POP treatment.

Measurements and main results: Preoperative assessment included demographic data, clinical data on bladder, and bowel functions and POP-Q status. Surgical data included surgical approach (open, laparoscopic, robotic), type of mesh, depth of dissection, nerve sparing techniques, suture materials, uterus or cervix-sparing techniques, peritoneal closure, and concomitant surgeries. A total of 401 patients were recruited into the study. The mean age was 57 years (range: 26-84) and mean body mass index was 34. A total of 137 (34%) patients had undergone previous surgery for prolapse and in 264 cases SCP was the primary procedure. A total of 170 (42%) patients had undergone previous hysterectomy; For patients with uterus, SCP was performed with subtotal (n = 148) or total (n = 3) hysterectomy. A total of 285 (71%) SCPs were done laparoscopically, 102 (25%) robotically and 10 (3%) per laparotomy. The conversion rate from laparoscopy to abdominal surgery was 4.5%. Various meshes and suture materials were used and fixation techniques also varied widely. Four patients underwent reoperation within 30 days (2 trocar herniations, and 1 bowel obstruction, 1 compartment syndrome). One patient died of aortic dissection 7 days after SCP.

Conclusions: Most SCPs in this registry were performed laparoscopically, but there was considerable variation in surgical techniques. Perioperative morbidity appears modest.

Keywords: Abdominal mesh; Abdominal prolapse surgery; Pelvic organ prolapse; Urogynecology.