Advanced Cystocele is a Risk Factor for Surgical Failure after Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy.

Study Objective: To assess the outcome of robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (RALSCP) and to identify risk factors for surgical failure and long-term complications in patients at high risk for surgical failure.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: A university hospital.

Patients: Sixty-seven women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) at high risk for surgical failure.

Interventions: RALSCP from November 2012 to July 2020.

Measurements And Main Results: Information was collected from the electronic medical records. Preoperative and postoperative assessment included urogynecologic history, prolapse staging, cough stress test, and validated quality of life questionnaires. Anatomic success was defined as POP stage < 2 at the last follow-up. Mean follow-up was 24.6 ± 17.9 months. Sixteen women (23.9%) reported bulge symptoms at the latest follow-up; upon POP Quantification staging, surgical failure or recurrence was observed in 35 patients (52.2%). On multiple logistic regression analysis, a preoperative POP Quantification point Ba measurement ≥3 cm beyond the hymen was independently related to surgical failure. Late postoperative complications included 3 cases (4.5%) of postoperative ventral hernia and 5 cases (7.5%) of mesh erosion, all in patients operated using Ethibond sutures.

Conclusions: Anatomic success of RALSCP in POP patients at high risk for surgical failure is worse than previously reported. Advanced preoperative anterior vaginal wall prolapse is a risk factor for surgical failure. Delayed absorbable sutures for vaginal mesh fixation seem to be safer than multifilament, permanent sutures, in terms of the risk of mesh erosion.