POSTERIOR INTRAVAGINAL SLINGPLASTY FOR VAGINAL PROLAPSE: 7 YEARS FOLLOW-UP

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of the posterior intravaginal slingoplasty (IVS) for the treatment of vaginal prolapse. Materials: 44 patients who had undergone posterior IVS procedures were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 44–77). The median parity was 3 (range 1–4). Methods: We inserted a mesh (polypropylene) in the rectovaginal space, from the posterior IVS tape posterior to the vaginal vault (to which it was fixed) right down to the perineal body (to which it was also fixed). The patients were followed-up at 6 weeks, 6 months, and at yearly intervals. At each visit, a follow-up data form was completed, and were entered into the database. At the clinical examination, the Baden-Walker grading system for prolapse was used. We only used grades 3 and 4 for describing significant recurrent prolapse. Results: There were neither complications intraoperatively nor postoperatively. All patients were followed for 7 years. Recurrent prolapse, grade 3 and 4, developed in 2 patients (5.88%), one cystocele and one rectocele. The success rate of the posterior IVS procedure for the treatment of the prolapse was 94.12%. Only one patient had an extrusion that was definitively cured by topical estrogen therapy and antibiotics. Conclusions: In a long-term follow-up the posterior IVS delivered satisfactory results for vault and posterior compartment prolapse.