A new technique for cystocele repair and transvaginal sling: the cadaveric prolapse repair and sling (CAPS)

Abstract

A new technique using cadaveric fascia lata for the simultaneous repair of a cystocele and placement of a pubovaginal sling by means of a transvaginal approach is described, and our early results are reported. We refer to this as the cadaveric prolapse repair with sling (CaPS). Fifty patients, ages 37 to 90 years, underwent a new technique for simultaneous cystocele repair and transvaginal pubovaginal sling using a single piece of cadaveric fascia. Maximum follow-up was 6 months (range 1 to 6). A 6 x 8 cm segment of cadaveric fascia lata is placed transvaginally to repair the defect through which the bladder herniates into the vagina and to provide sling support at the bladder neck/proximal urethra. The sling is anchored to the pubic bone with transvaginal bone anchors. The remainder of the fascia is then secured to the medial edge of the levator muscles/pubocervical fascia bilaterally and at the vaginal cuff or cervix with absorbable sutures to reduce the cystocele. Patients are being evaluated with preoperative and postoperative stress, emptying, anatomy, protection, instability (SEAPI) scores as well as with grading of the prolapse based on a 3-grade anatomic classification system. Presenting symptoms have included stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in 13 (26%), urge incontinence in 4 (8%), mixed incontinence in 6 (12%), and pelvic prolapse in 20 (40%). These symptoms are not mutually exclusive; some patients presented with a combination of symptoms. The mean SEAPI scores were 5.51 preoperatively and 0.63 postoperatively, representing a significant improvement (P <0.001). Of the 40 patients whose prolapse was quantified, 1 patient (2.5%) had a minimal cystocele, 16 (40.0%) had moderate cystoceles, and 23 (57.5%) had large cystoceles. After the CaPS, 36 (72%) were completely dry, 3 (6%) had persistent SUI, 1 (2%) had de novo urinary incontinence (UI), 3 (6%) had persistent UI, and 1 (2%) had mixed incontinence. No patient had permanent urinary retention. Transvaginal placement of cadaveric fascia for concomitant sling and cystocele repair provides material of excellent strength for the repair without relying on the inherently weak tissues in the patient with pelvic prolapse. Thus far, the early results with CaPS are extremely encouraging. Long-term follow-up is underway to evaluate the efficacy of this procedure.