Raz four-corner suspension for severe cystocele: Poor results

Abstract

The Raz four-corner suspension for the treatment of severe (grades 3 and 4) cystocele has yielded poor results, and is the subject of this paper. During a 10-month period from June 1988 to April 1989, 27 patients with severe cystocele and genuine stress incontinence were treated by the Raz four-corner suspension. Each patient had full preoperative urodynamic evaluation. Twenty-two patients were available for follow-up examinations at 3.5–4 years. At the 6-week postoperative examination all patients had excellent support of the anterior vaginal wall, including the restoration of the anterolateral vaginal wall sulci. However, within 10 months, 6 patients had recurrence of cystoceles of grade 2 or more. These results led to the abandonment of this procedure. On long-term follow-up examination at 3.5–4 years, 59% (13/22) of the patients had recurrence of cystoceles of grade 2 or more. The possible causes for these poor results are discussed. At present therefore, the Raz four-corner suspension for severe cystoceles is not recommended.