Feasibility of vaginal mesh for anterior vaginal wall prolapse in an ambulatory setting: A retrospective case series.

Introduction: Vaginal mesh has been proven to be an effective aid in the treatment of cystocele. Could an ambulatory approach be feasible for the Uphold Lite®-mesh?

Hypothesis: We investigate the feasibility of an ambulatory approach of Uphold Lite® insertion in a well-selected population. Risk factors for a non-successful ambulatory approach are identified.

Methodology: We conducted a retrospective case series of 236 women who underwent Uphold Lite® vaginal mesh insertion for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse at our center. Indications for surgery were symptomatic anterior and/or apical prolapse, stages POPQ≥2. We compared women having an ambulatory approach, to those having a one day hospitalization planned but needed to stay. Comparisons between percentages were calculated using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test, depending on the number of women in each group. The mean comparisons were performed using the Student t-test, and the median test comparisons by the Kruskal-Wallis test. A difference was considered significant if p<0.05.

Results: The most common reason for staying (85.7% of all ambulatory failures) after Uphold® surgery is the presence of an elevated post void residual. This complication was more found in the following: surgery in the afternoon, use of high-dose morphinics in general anesthesia, and in women with a higher parity.

Conclusions: Our study shows that Uphold® surgery in a one-day setting is feasible and safe. Women desiring this approach should be counselled on the 42.6% risk of one-day failure though, mostly due to non-validation of a post void residual. General anesthesia with high-dose morphinics, a higher parity, and surgery in the afternoon are risk factors for failure of an ambulatory protocol.