LAPAROSCOPIC COLPOSUSPENSION WITH GORE-TE X(R) PATCH - SURGICAL TECHNIQUE AND FIRST RESULTS

This article describes a technique of laparoscopic colposuspension usi ng a Gore-Tex(R)-Patch for the elevation of the endopelvic fascia. The patch is fixed to the Cooper ligament by titanium hernia staples. Com pared with suture fixation a major advantage of this technique is that space requirement in the cavum retzii is minimal. For the use of the stapler it is sufficient to prepare two small channels, beginning from the lateral side of the umbilical arteries, down to the endopelvic fa scia. 18 patients were included in this study; 15 of them were evaluat ed. In 3 patients the operation was finished by laparotomy. Due to a l arge cystocele, an additional anterior colporrhaphy was performed in 3 patients. After a mean follow-up of 7 months, 14 of 15 patients were subjectively cured (cure rate 93%), one patient had improved substanti ally. The rate of subjective satisfaction with the result of the opera tion was high. There were 3 bladder injuries at the beginning of the s tudy. This high rate is presumably due to the learning curve. Perioper ative morbidity was very low. To assess the definitive value of this m odified laparoscopic colposuspension technique, long-term results will have to be awaited.