Abdominal sacrocolpopexy: anatomic outcomes and complications with Pelvicol, autologous and synthetic graft materials

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare anatomic outcomes and graft-related complications (GRCs) for abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) with Pelvicol (CR BARD, Murray Hill, NJ), autologous fascia, and synthetic grafts.

Study design: This is a retrospective cohort study of ASC from 2001-2005. We reviewed anatomic outcomes and GRCs. Apical failure was defined as >stage 0.

Results: Of 259 ASC procedures, Pelvicol was used in 102 procedures (39%); synthetic mesh in 134 procedures (52%), and autologous fascia in 23 procedures (9%). Mean postoperative follow up was 1.1 years. Apical failure by graft group were Pelvicol 10 (11%), synthetics 1 (1%), and autologous 1 (7%; P = .011). All 7 reoperations for apical prolapse were in the Pelvicol group. GRCs occurred in 16% of the cases, with a higher proportion of erosions in the Pelvicol group (11% vs 3% and 4%; P = .045). Reoperations as a result of GRC were similar between groups.

Conclusion: ASC is more likely to fail with Pelvicol than with synthetic or autologous grafts. The use of Pelvicol did not reduce graft-related complications in this population.