Horseshoe-shaped Marlex mesh for the treatment of pelvic floor prolapse

Objective: Pelvic prolapse results from weakness or damage to the normal pelvic-support systems. The main support for The pelvic viscera is provided by the pelvic fascia, which is naturally reinforced by urethra-pelvic ligaments, cardinal ligaments and uterosacral ligaments. A polypropylene mesh (Marlex-Bard) was used as a genitourinary and rectal support in order to substitute the damaged pelvic fascia. Methods: Sixteen consecutive females suffering from severe genitourinary prolapse entered the study. Using the HWS (Baden-Walker) classification 10 patients presented a grade-IV and 6 patients a grade-III cystocele, 7 patients a grade-III and 1 a grade-IV rectocele. Hysterocele of grade IV was present in 2 patients and in 5 patients grade III. No enterocele was present at the pre-operative visit. Twelve patients suffered from stress incontinence; one had obstructive urinary symptoms with postvoiding residual urine of >200 ml, All patients underwent urodynamic tests and pre-operative cystography. The primary aim was prolapse reduction and continence. The operation, under general anesthesia, consisted of insertion and fixation of a horseshoe-shaped Marlex mesh between pubis and sacrum to close the area between the pelvic viscera and inferior pelvic hiatus. Three patients underwent hysterectomy. Results and Conclusions: The follow-up ranged between 12 and 29 months. In 15 patients the prolapse was completely resolved and 13 were dry at follow-up. One patient presented a complete recurrence at the 3-month follow-up. Nine cases of pre-operative constipation were recovered after surgery. This technique seems to give promising results in the repair of genitourinary prolapse and stress incontinence. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.