INTRODUCTIONGrade 4 cystoceles are among the most challenging to achieve a successful repair for gynaecologists. The high rate of recurrence of severe prolapse encouraged surgeons to use meshes. Only recently have meshes been used transvaginally for pelvic organ prolapse. The aim of our pilot study was therefore to determine the effectiveness of transvaginal anterior colporrhaphy reinforced with prolene mesh in the treatment of severe or recurrent cystoceles by looking at their primary surgical outcomes as well as their complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a retrospective study conducted by the urogynaecology unit at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKWCH) in Singapore based on operations performed from April 2002 to December 2003. The inclusion criterion was that women had to have at least a grade 4 or recurrent grade 3 cystocele and had undergone a vaginal anterior colporrhaphy reinforced with prolene mesh. The women were further subdivided into 3 groups depending on whether vaginal hysterectomies were performed or not as well as the absence or presence of the uterus.

RESULTSThirty-seven patients with severe cystoceles underwent this procedure. The 3 mean follow-up times for the 3 groups ranged from 14.4 to 19.2 months (range, 2 to 32). Overall for the 3 groups, 75.7% were cured with no or grade 1 cystocele, 18.9% had asymptomatic grade 2 cystocele while 5.4% developed grade 3 or 4 cystocele. There were no mesh erosions.

CONCLUSIONTransvaginal anterior colporrhaphy reinforced with a tension-free prolene mesh in the treatment of severe or recurrent cystoceles is simple, safe, easily performed and is associated with a low failure rate and morbidity.