Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Transvaginal uterosacral ligament suspension for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair

  • IUJ Video
  • Published:
International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair represents a challenge for urogynecologists. Surgical management can be successfully achieved with native tissue using a vaginal approach with uterosacral ligament (USL) suspension. However, severe complications have been described, mainly related to ureteral injury.

Methods

A 57-year-old woman with symptomatic stage 2 vaginal vault prolapse underwent transvaginal USL suspension according to the described technique.

Results

Surgical procedure was successfully achieved without complications. Final examination revealed excellent apical support and preservation of vaginal length. However, ureteral damage represents the major pitfall of USL suspension. This step-by-step video tutorial may represent an important tool to improve surgical know how and minimize the risk of ureteral injury.

Conclusion

Transvaginal USL suspension provides an effective technique for apical support without the use of prosthetic materials. Intimate understanding of pelvic anatomy, direct visualization of ureter, and proper suture positioning are the key points to minimize the risk of complications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. Cheon C, Maher C. Economics of pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Int Urogynecol J. 2013;24(11):1873–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Gabriel B, Denschlag D, Göbel H, Fittkow C, Werner M, Gitsch G, et al. Uterosacral ligament in postmenopausal women with or without pelvic organ prolapse. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2005;16(6):475–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rivaux G, Rubod C, Dedet B, Brieu M, Gabriel B, Cosson M. Comparative analysis of pelvic ligaments: a biomechanics study. Int Urogynecol J. 2013;24(1):135–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Buller JL, Thompson JR, Cundiff GW, Krueger Sullivan L, Schön Ybarra MA, Bent AE. Uterosacral ligament: description of anatomic relationships to optimize surgical safety. Obstet Gynecol. 2001;97(6):873–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Spelzini F, Frigerio M, Manodoro S, Interdonato ML, Cesana MC, Verri D et al. Modified McCall culdoplasty versus Shull suspension in pelvic prolapse primary repair: a retrospective study. Int Urogynecol J. 2016 Apr 5. [Epub ahead of print].

  6. Silva WA, Pauls RN, Segal JL, Rooney CM, Kleeman SD, Karram MM. Uterosacral ligament vault suspension: five-year outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;108:255–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Milani R, Frigerio M, Manodoro S, Cola A, Spelzini F. Transvaginal uterosacral ligament hysteropexy: a retrospective feasibility study. Int Urogynecol J. 2016 May 19. [Epub ahead of print]

  8. Milani R, Frigerio M, Spelzini F, Manodoro S. Transvaginal uterosacral ligament hysteropexy: a video tutorial. Int Urogynecol J. 2016 Dec 10. [Epub ahead of print]

  9. Shull BL, Bachofen C, Coates KW, Kuehl TJ. A transvaginal approach to repair of apical and other associated sites of pelvic organ prolapse with uterosacral ligaments. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000;183(6):1365–73. discussion 1373-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Karram M, Goldwasser S, Kleeman S, Steele A, Vassallo B, Walsh P. High uterosacral vaginal vault suspension with fascial reconstruction for vaginal repair of enterocele and vaginal vault prolapse. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;185(6):1339–42. discussion 1342-3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Barber MD, Visco AG, Weidner AC, Amundsen CL, Bump RC. Bilateral uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension with site-specific endopelvic fascia defect repair for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000;183(6):1402–10. discussion 1410-1.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Amundsen CL, Flynn BJ, Webster GD. Anatomical correction of vaginal vault prolapse by uterosacral ligament fixation in women who also require a pubovaginal sling. J Urol. 2003;169(5):1770–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wheeler 2nd TL, Gerten KA, Richter HE, Duke AG, Varner RE. Outcomes of vaginal vault prolapse repair with a high uterosacral suspension procedure utilizing bilateral single sutures. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2007;18(10):1207–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Uzoma A, Farag KA. Vaginal vault prolapse. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2009;2009:275621.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Milani R, Frigerio M, Cola A, Beretta C, Spelzini F, Manodoro S. Outcomes of transvaginal high uterosacral ligaments suspension: over 500-patients single center study. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. Forthcoming 2017.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefano Manodoro.

Ethics declarations

Financial disclaimers

None

Conflict of interest

None

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this video article and any accompanying images.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

(MP4 76054 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Milani, R., Frigerio, M., Spelzini, F. et al. Transvaginal uterosacral ligament suspension for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse repair. Int Urogynecol J 28, 1421–1423 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3277-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-017-3277-8

Keywords

Navigation