Study Design: Randomized single-blind prospective clinical trial
Primary Outcomes:
1. Total Suturing time for mesh placement = time from insertion of Y mesh or first flat mesh arm into pelvis to last sacral suture placed
2. Total Case time = Incision to end of closure
Secondary Outcomes:
Post-operative patient outcomes at 24-months
* Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Inventory (PFDI-20)
* Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI)
* Colorectal Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI)
* Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI)
* Objective Recurrence (POP-Q)
* Subjective Recurrence (vaginal bulge)
* Reported mesh erosion
Study Population: Study subjects will be recruited from patients that present to the Center of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Disorders in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic main campus, Hillcrest Hospital and Fairview Hospital, and their surgeries will be performed at either one of these sites.
Study Procedures:
Study Identification and Recruitment Potential subjects will be identified by members of the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic main campus and Fairview Hospital. Eligible patients that agree to participate will be provided written informed consent administered by the collaborators listed on this Investigational Research Board (IRB) proposal at Cleveland Clinic Main campus and Fairview Hospitals.
Randomization All subjects will be predetermined by their surgeon to undergo either a laparoscopic or robotic assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy depending upon their clinical evaluation. The participants will then be randomized to either Y mesh or dual flat mesh sacrocolpopexy according to a computer-generated randomization schedule with random block sizes with the use of the SAS statistical software package (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Randomization will be carried out by provider. All patients will be blinded to their assignment.
Office Interventions In addition to a standardized evaluation including the history and physical examination, patients will be asked to complete the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) questionnaire at the pre-operative visit as well as the 6, 12 and 24-month postoperative visit. Completion of these questionnaire is the only additional assessment that is specific to participation in this study and is not usually included as part of the standard care of sacrocolpopexy. It should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete the questionnaire. The study subjects will not be exposed to any additional risk by participating in this study except for the inconvenience of completing the questionnaire.
Surgical Interventions Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy will be performed using four ports: an umbilical port for the laparoscope, two ports (either 5 or 10/12 mm) in the bilateral lower quadrants, and one 5-mm port placed at the level of the umbilicus, lateral to the rectus muscle on either side for retraction. The robotic-assisted hysterectomy will be performed using the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) using five ports: a 12mm umbilical port for the laparoscopic, two 8 mm robotic ports placed 2cm inferior and 9-10cm lateral to the umbilicus bilaterally, an 8mm robotic port placed in the left axillary line at the level of the umbilicus, and a 8mm or 10/12mm accessory port either in the right upper quadrant approximately 3cm distal from the costal margin, or in the right lower quadrant, 2cm above and medial to the anterior superior iliac spine.
If a supracervical hysterectomy is to be performed, it will be done in a standard fashion. A uterine manipulator will be placed inside of the uterus. The round ligaments will be transected using cautery. The fallopian tubes and ovaries will be left in situ or removed at the time of hysterectomy depending upon the preoperative decision made between the surgeon and patient. The uterine arteries and cardinal ligaments will be cauterized laparoscopically. The uterus will be amputated at the level of the internal cervical os and the endocervical canal will be cauterized.
The sacrocolpopexy will also be performed and in a standard fashion. An end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) sizer will be placed in the vagina for manipulation of the apex as well as in the rectum for delineation of the rectovaginal septum. First, the presacral dissection will be performed with a longitudinal peritoneal incision over the sacral promontory and there is identification of the anterior longitudinal ligament. Dissection is then done caudally through the peritoneum and subperitoneal fat down to the level of the posterior cul-de-sac. The vagina is elevated cephalad using the EEA sizer and the peritoneum overlying the anterior vaginal apex is incised transversely, and the bladder is dissected off the anterior vagina using sharp dissection, creating a 4 to 5 cm pocket. If this plane is difficult to establish, the bladder will be filled in a retrograde fashion to find the correct dissection plane. Similarly, the peritoneum overlying the posterior vagina is incised, and dissection is then done overlying the vagina and extending into the posterior cul-de-sac, creating a 4 to 5 cm pocket. Once dissection is complete, the mesh graft is prepared. Subjects will have been randomized to either one of two mesh grafts:
1. Restorelle Y mesh
* The mesh is introduced into the pelvis through one of the ports.
* First, either then anterior or the posterior arm is fixed to the anterior or posterior vaginal wall using 5 delayed- absorbable (PDS) No. 2-0 sutures in an interrupted fashion, 1 to 2 cm apart from each other.
* The opposing arm of the graft is then attached to either the anterior or posterior vaginal wall, depending on which arm was placed first, in a similar fashion using 5 delayed- absorbable (PDS) No. 2-0 sutures in an interrupted fashion, 1 to 2 cm apart from each other.
* The stem portion of the graft is then brought to the sacral promontory and sutured to the anterior longitudinal ligament using 2 permanent (prolene) No. 0 sutures. The excess mesh is then trimmed.
2. Restorelle dual flat mesh: 2 pieces of 15 x 4 cm mesh
* One mesh arm is introduced into the pelvis through one of the ports.
* The arm is fixed to the anterior or posterior vaginal wall using 5 delayed- absorbable (PDS) No. 2-0 sutures in an interrupted fashion, 1 to 2 cm apart from each other.
* The second mesh arm is then introduced into the pelvis through one of the ports.
* The arm is fixed to either the anterior or posterior vaginal wall, depending on where the first arm was placed, using 5 delayed- absorbable (PDS) No. 2-0 sutures in an interrupted fashion, 1 to 2 cm apart from each other.
* The two arms are then brought to the sacral promontory and sutured together to the anterior longitudinal ligament using 2 permanent (prolene) No. 0 sutures. The excess mesh is then trimmed.
The peritoneum is then closed over the exposed graft with absorbable suture. Routine cystoscopy will also be performed in order to assess for lower urinary tract injury. A vaginal exam is performed, and an anterior and/or posterior colporrhaphy and perineorrhaphy are performed if needed. Anti-incontinence procedures may also be performed if needed.
\*\*In laparoscopic cases, all suturing will be done extracorporeally while intracorporeal knot-tying technique will be performed in robot assisted laparoscopic cases.
