Long-term outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with a minimum of three years follow-up

• Published in: Journal of robotic surgery 2011-09, Vol.5 (3), p.175-180
• Main Authors: Shimko, Mark S., Umbreit, Eric C., Chow, George K., Elliott, Daniel S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hospitals; Laparoscopy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Original Article; Patient satisfaction; Robotics; Surgeons; Surgery; Surgical techniques; Sutures; Urinary incontinence; Urology; Vagina
• ISSN: 1863-2483; 1863-2491
• DOI: 10.1007/s11701-011-0244-0

We describe efficacy and safety of robotic-assisted laparoscopic vaginal vault prolapse repair with long-term follow-up. We reviewed the records of 40 consecutive patients with posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse who underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institution between September 2002 and September 2006. Patient analysis focused on complications, patient satisfaction, and morbidity, with a minimum of 36 months’ follow-up. Median follow-up was 62 months (range 36–84) and mean age was 67 (43–83) years. Mean operating time was 3.1 (2.15–5) h with a median operating time of 2.9 h. All but four were discharged home on postoperative day one; three patients left on postoperative day two and one left on postoperative day seven. Three developed recurrent grade 3–4 rectoceles and two vaginal extrusion of mesh. Thirty-eight of the 40 patients (95%) were satisfied with their outcome. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a minimally invasive technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair, combining the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the decreased morbidity of laparoscopy. We found a short hospital stay, low complication rates, and high patient satisfaction with a minimum of 3 years’ follow-up.