Long-term outcome of apical vaginal prolapse repair
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study of the 5-15 year objective and subjective outcomes of sacrocolpopexy and sacrocervicopexy for apical vaginal prolapse repair.
IRAS ID
157757
Contact name
Sharon Atwill
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Apical prolapse of the vagina, a category of pelvic organ prolapse, is the descent of the uterus, cervix or vagina beyond normal anatomical confines. Vaginal vault prolapse in particular is a common complication of hysterectomies. Pelvic organ prolapse is common, with a prevalence of 41-50% in women over the age of 40 years that is steadily increasing. Between 2004-2005, 26 947 women in the UK were admitted to hospital with a main diagnosis of female genital prolapse, and 28 297 operations were performed. Symptoms commonly associated with pelvic organ prolapse are physical discomfort and sexual, urinary and bowel dysfunction.
The abdominal sacrocolpopexy has been the gold standard of vaginal vault prolapse repair. It involves attaching a mesh abdominally to the apex of the vagina and then attaching the other end the sacrum via sutures
For uterovaginal prolapse, vaginal hysterectomy was previously the surgery of choice but many surgeons have moved to either a uterine preservation or a subtotal hysterectomy with mesh dispersion to the sacrum due to its high success rates and lack of scarring to the vagina.
However, the majority of studies on sacrocolpopexy and sacrocervicopexy published thus far focus on their short term outcomes. In consideration of its high prevalence and profound effects on quality of life, data studying the long term outcomes of abdominal sacrocevicopexy and sacrocolpopexy, and its implications, could be highly beneficial to patients and the NHS.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1348
Date of REC Opinion
22 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion