[Prosthetic reinforcement by the vaginal approach after surgical repair of pelvic prolapse].

Introduction: Prosthetic reinforcement by the vaginal approach for surgical repair of pelvic prolapse is experiencing increasing popularity despite problems with tolerance. The most frequently described complication is prosthesis exposure, also known as erosion or granuloma. The mechanism is associated with defective vaginal healing and is independent of major infection such as pelvic cellulitis.

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to define the course of this complication and the best therapeutic strategy for patients with prosthesis exposure.

Materials And Method: Our continuous and retrospective study conducted over a period of 24 months between January 2002 and December 2003 recorded 34 files. These patients underwent prosthetic treatment via the vaginal approach of genital prolapse associated with prosthesis exposure. The procedure, known as TVM (Tension free Vaginal Mesh), involves the insertion without fixing of a synthetic prosthesis in areas of bladder-vagina and rectum-vagina detachment.

Results: In 33 cases out of 34, the exposure site was located on the anterior colpotomy scar (97%). These prosthesis exposures were managed in two stages, using antiseptic treatment first. This treatment cured 9 patients (26.47%). In the event of failure, a procedure was carried out under brief general anesthesia on an outpatient basis or during a 24-hour hospital stay. This single resection was sufficient for 20 patients (88%). Two patients nevertheless required a second removal procedure (8%) and one patient a third procedure (4%). To notice, one patient presented with a bladder-vagina fistula after resection. This observation of a bladder-vagina fistula following partial removal led us to recommend a blue test and/or cystoscopy as routine practice for each procedure.

Conclusion: With this new vaginal approach for prolapse repair, it is important to monitor prosthesis exposure. To manage exposures, it is necessary to begin with antiseptic or estrogenic treatment. In the event of failure, a partial resection is warranted. We recommend careful prosthesis resection and systematic verification of the bladder.