Introduction
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is very common. It is estimated that nearly 50% of women will develop some form of POP, and 10–20% of these women seek medical assistance [1]. Surgical treatment options for POP are classified as either reconstructive or obliterative techniques. For older women who do not seek to maintain coital function, the LeFort partial colpocleisis is a representative obliterative surgical technique used for frail, older women with advanced apical POP who are inappropriate candidates for vaginal reconstructive surgery [2]. The reported rate of POP recurrence after LeFort partial colpocleisis is 4.2% [3]. It has been speculated that the main risk factors for recurrence are an increased postoperative vaginal length and a wide vaginal hiatus [4]. Herein, we describe our modified LeFort partial colpocleisis technique for POP, which strengthens the pelvic floor on three levels [5].
Methods
A 76-year-old woman presented with a symptomatic vaginal bulge for 1 year and mild occult stress urinary incontinence (SUI). She had undergone an abdominal hysterectomy for uterine myoma. Examination revealed stage III vaginal vault prolapse (POP-Q C + 2), stage IV anterior prolapse (POP-Q Ba+5), and stage II posterior prolapse (POP-Q Bp-1). The patient opted to undergo modified LeFort partial colpocleisis.
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Procedure:
1.
General anesthesia was induced via a laryngeal mask before hydro-dissection was performed with diluted pituitrin.
2.
A mid-line incision was made anteriorly about 0.5 cm from the vaginal cutoff and 2–3 cm from the external orifice of the urethra. A combination of sharp and blunt dissection was then used to separate the anterior vaginal epithelium from the underlying connective tissue to expose the bladder fascia.
3.
While paying careful attention to hemostasis, three to four purse-string sutures were placed to return the bladder to its normal position. U-shaped sutures were then used to strengthen the fibrous connective tissue under the vaginal epithelium.
4.
The same procedures were performed for the posterior vaginal epithelium. The upper edge of the incision in the posterior vaginal wall was 0.5 cm below the cutoff of the vagina, while the lower edge of the incision was about 2 cm from the perineum.
5.
The excessive vaginal wall was removed, and the lateral margins were re-approximated to create a strong longitudinal septum in the mid-line of the vagina, so that the lateral channels were wide enough to fit one finger.
6.
Two Allis clamps were placed on the genital hiatus before a diamond-shaped flap was removed. The perineal body was reconstructed using a series of interrupted sutures. The skin was then sutured subcutaneously with 3-0 absorbable suture.
7.
A drainage strip was placed in the septum, and the lateral channels were each filled with gauze to prevent hematoma formation.
Results
The operation time was 53 min, and the estimated blood loss was 220 ml. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. The urinary catheter was removed 3 days postoperatively. The patient had recovered well by 1 month postoperatively. There was no prolapse recurrence or SUI during 6 months of follow-up.
Discussion
The present case suggests that Modified LeFort partial colpocleisis is a good treatment option for advanced POP in select older women, especially those with vaginal vault prolapse.
Following are some key points of the operation.
1.
Colporrhaphy (level II) and perineoplasty (level III) were added to colpocleisis, creating a solid longitudinal vaginal septum to increase the support to the vaginal vault (level I).
2.
The distal edge of the incision was closed transversely to reduce the tension on the urethra and minimize the risk of postoperative SUI.
3.
Gauze and drainage strips were used to prevent postoperative hematoma, which could cause prolapse recurrence.
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The advantage of the modified LeFort partial colpocleisis is that the defects of the three levels were simultaneously repaired. The disadvantage of this technique is that a small number of patients may require additional treatment for postoperative SUI [6]. However, most de novo urinary incontinence is mild and does not require intervention [7]. A subsequent surgery is required in 13% of women with occult SUI undergoing POP-only surgery, and there are no differences in the global impression of improvement and quality of life between women who require a mid-urethral sling and those who do not [6]. In addition, our procedure reserves a 2–3 cm length of vaginal wall at the mid-urethral level for the potential addition of postoperative tension-free vaginal tape.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Shandong Provincial Medical and Health Science and Technology Development Plan (2018WS259).
We thank Kelly Zammit, BVSc, from Liwen Bianji, Edanz Editing China (www.liwenbianji.cn/ac), for editing the English text of a draft of this manuscript.
Compliance with ethical standards
Conflicts of interest
None.
Consent
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this video article and any accompanying images.
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