A new laparoscopic technique of inguinal ligament suspension for vaginal vault prolapse.
INTRODUCTION
The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic inguinal ligament suspension (LILS) as a new surgical technique for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse.


METHODS
From Feb 2014 to Mar 2016, 21 symptomatic women with grades III-IV vaginal vault prolapse were enrolled. All patients underwent LILS procedure in which a bifurcated mesh was used to suspend the vaginal vault to inguinal ligament. The perioperative parameters including surgical time, blood loss, and hospitalization time were recorded. At a minimal 12-month follow-up, the primary outcome measures, such as the anatomical cure rate and patients' satisfaction were respectively evaluated according to Pelvic organ prolapse questionnaire (POP-Q) and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) scale. The secondary outcomes including the impact on symptom severity, quality of life and sexual activity were also recorded.


RESULTS
The mean surgical time was 130.71 ± 16.07 min, the mean estimated blood loss was 53.57 ± 48.43 ml, and the mean hospital stay was 6 days (range: 5-8 days). After a minimal 12-month follow-up (range: 12-36 months), the rate of anatomical success and the subjective satisfaction were 100% and 90.5%. The symptom severity, quality of life and sexual activity also presented significant improvement. In addition, no serious peri- and postoperative complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
LILS was a potential method for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. The technique could be performed easily and might be an alternative to other POP surgeries. However, further studies were required to focus on its long-term efficacy.
['Dai|Zhiyuan|Z|', 'Li|Chunbo|C|', 'Wang|Xipeng|X|', 'Shu|Huimin|H|', 'Zhang|Kai|K|', 'Dai|Chenyun|C|']
D000368:Aged D005260:Female D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures D006801:Humans D010535:Laparoscopy D008022:Ligaments D008875:Middle Aged D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse D011788:Quality of Life D013526:Surgical Mesh
Vaginal vault prolapse Laparoscopic inguinal ligament suspension Mesh in gynecology Minimally invasive surgery