Risk factors for mesh erosion 3 months following vaginal reconstructive surgery using commercial kits vs. fashioned mesh-augmented vaginal repairs

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: Our objective was to establish the overall graft erosion rate in a synthetic graft-augmented repair 3 months postoperatively.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on a cohort of subjects who underwent mesh-augmented vaginal reconstructive surgery during an 18-month period. We defined graft erosion as exposure of any mesh upon visual inspection of the entire vagina at the 3-month postoperative visit. Statistical tests performed to evaluate proportional differences were the Pearson chi square and Fisher exact tests. Independent t test was performed to compare mean differences.

Results: A total of 124 grafts were implanted. The overall erosion rate was 11.3%. There was a significantly lower erosion rate when using "commercial kits" vs. our traditional repairs (1.4% [one out of 69] vs. 23.6% [13 out of 55]; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a significantly lower erosion rate when using a "commercial kit" to repair pelvic organ prolapse compared to our traditional synthetic graft-augmented repair.