The clinical utility of a vaginal template designed to standardize suture placement during retropubic colposuspensions

Suture placement and bite size utilizing a vaginal template are compared to a traditional surgical approach during modified retropubic colposuspension on four fresh-frozen human female cadavers. Overall, a larger:suture bite was obtained utilizing the template (71.5 +/- 4.6 vs 46.7 +/- 25.3 mm(2), P = 0.001). However, with increased surgical experience the suture bites obt ained with the traditional approach and template technique were similar. In consistent suture placement relative to the urethrovesical junction and ure thra was observed with both techniques. Differences in pelvic floor anatomy make consistent suture placement with respect to the urethrovesical juncti on and urethra neither possible nor entirely preferable with either techniq ue. There seems to be little clinical value in the use of this vaginal temp late during modified retropubic colposuspensions.