The Influence of Simultaneous Posterior Colporrhaphy and Perineoplasty on the Efficiency and Safety of Mesh-augmented Sacrospinal Fixation (Apical Sling) in Advanced POP Repair.

BACKGROUND Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is revealed by the gynecological examination in 40-60 % of parous women. A pelvic floor defect is represented by cystocele almost in a half of cases. At the same time it is known that just the loss of apical support favors going out of the anterior vaginal wall beyond the hymen. Today the vast majority of specialists share one view that the uterus with its sacral-uterine-cardinal ligament complex is a key element for the reliable support of the pelvic floor. It is also considered that perineal body insufficiency promotes the development of POP because the small pelvic organs do not have support on which they could lie. The perineal body is a part of the support level III according to DeLancey. Hiatus enlargement is associated with damage of the elevator muscle of anus and one of the factors for POP development both at a clinical examination and ultrasound scanning. Perineoplasty is one of the methods for correction of hiatus opening and anatomical perineal body insufficiency. An important aspect in POP surgery consists in prevention of a recurrence after the surgical treatment. It is important to mention that today there are no randomized studies comparing the efficiency of transvaginal pelvic floor reconstruction using a mesh for apical fixation with and without the recovery of the support level 3 according to DeLancey. Thus, understanding of mechanisms for prevention of repeated surgeries is fundamental and essential for successful treatment of POP.

PREOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT All patients who meet eligibility criteria will undergo a preoperative assessment: medical history, physical and vaginal examination, assessing pelvic organ prolapse according to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q). All patients will complete questionnaires validated in Russia: Pelvic Floor Disability Index (PFDI-20), Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, short form (PISQ-SF), Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I).

MATERIALS AND METHODS Our hypothesis is that posterior colporrhaphy and perineoplasty performed simultaneously with mesh-augmented sacrospinal fixation reduces POP recurrence in any compartment.

Taking into account the available data on frequency of recurrences after unilateral sacrospinal fixation according to hybrid technology (7.4 %) and also clinical observation on frequency of recurrences after three-level hybrid reconstruction (1 %), study power of 80 %, significance level of 5 %, 282 patients are necessary to confirm an expected difference in frequency of recurrences. In order to compensate data losses, the calculated sample size was increased by 10 %. As a result, the total sample size is 310 patients.

All enrolled patients will be randomly assigned to mesh-augmented sacrospinal fixation with posterior colporrhaphy or sacrospinal fixation with posterior colporrhaphy and perineoplasty treatment groups in equal ratio the day before the surgery, using computer randomization.

All data will be collected by medical staff not involved in treatment. Collected pre- and postoperative data will be anonymized using unique codes, that patients will receive immediately after randomization.

All surgical interventions will be performed by 4 qualified surgeons. Postoperative follow-up will be performed 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery by 2 researchers, who will be blinded about the type of intervention.