TRANSVAGINAL SACROSPINOUS LIGAMENT FIXATION FOR TREATMENT OF VAGINAL PROLAPSE

Purpose: We performed sacrospinous ligament fixation for the treatment of vaginal apical prolapse in a urological practice. Materials and Me thods: A total of 24 patients underwent sacrospinous ligament fixation for the treatment of vaginal prolapse. In 13 patients another procedu re was done concomitantly through the same exposure for treatment of s tress urinary incontinence and/or pelvic relaxation. Results: At a mea n followup of 13.8 months (range 4 to 26) 18 of 24 patients had comple te resolution of vaginal prolapse, while 5 had a clinically significan t recurrence. Two patients underwent repeat sacrospinous ligament fixa tion with a good result, colpocleisis was performed in 1 and 2 are bei ng managed conservatively. One patient had a cystocele postoperatively . All recurrences were within 6 months. Complications were uncommon. O ne patient suffered a small rectal laceration that was repaired primar ily and she had no further clinical sequelae. If the 2 patients who un derwent repeat sacrospinous ligament fixation are considered, the over all success rate was 87.5% (21 of 24). Conclusions: Sacrospinous ligam ent vaginal fixation can be used safely and effectively to treat vagin al prolapse in urological practice, either alone or combined with anot her transvaginal procedure for the treatment of stress urinary inconti nence.