Transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for uterosacral ligament suspension: pilot study of 35 cases of severe pelvic organ prolapse.

To describe the short-term outcomes of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) for uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) in patients with severe prolapse.

This was a retrospective study of patients with severe prolapse (≥ stage 3) who underwent vNOTES for USLS between May 2019 and July 2020. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) score, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12) and Pelvic Floor Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) were used to evaluate physical prolapse and quality of life before and after vNOTES for USLS.

A total of 35 patients were included. The mean operative duration was 111.7 ± 39.4 min. The mean blood loss was 67.9 ± 35.8 ml. Statistically significant differences were observed between before and after vNOTES USLS in Aa (+ 0.6 ± 1.7 versus - 2.9 ± 0.2), Ba (+ 1.9 ± 2.2 versus - 2.9 ± 0.3), C (+ 1.5 ± 2.2 versus - 6.9 ± 0.9), Ap (- 1.4 ± 1.0 versus - 3.0 ± 0.1) and Bp (- 1.1 ± 1.4 versus - 2.9 ± 0.1) (P < 0.05 for all). The mean pre- and postoperative PFDI-20 score was 19.9 ± 6.7 and 3.2 ± 5.4, respectively, and the mean pre- and postoperative PISQ-12 score was 24.8 ± 2.3 and 38.3 ± 4.1, respectively (P < 0.05 for both). During 1-13 months of follow-up, there were no cases of severe complications or recurrence.

vNOTES for USLS may be a feasible technique to manage severe prolapse, with promising short-term efficacy and safety. Larger studies with more patients and longer follow-up periods should be performed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of vNOTES for USLS.

BMC surgery. 2021 Jun 08*** epublish ***

Zhiying Lu, Yisong Chen, Xiaojuan Wang, Junwei Li, Keqin Hua, Changdong Hu

Department of Gynecology, The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 128 Shenyang RD, Shanghai, 200090, China., Department of Gynecology, The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 128 Shenyang RD, Shanghai, 200090, China. ., Department of Gynecology, The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, 128 Shenyang RD, Shanghai, 200090, China. .