Balci technique for suspending vaginal vault at vaginal hysterectomy with reduced risk of vaginal vault prolapse

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research 2011-07, Vol.37 (7), p.762-769
• Main Authors: Balci, Osman, Capar, Metin, Acar, Ali, Colakoglu, Mehmet Cengiz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Balci technique; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hysterectomy, Vaginal - adverse effects; Hysterectomy, Vaginal - methods; Incidence; Middle Aged; Pelvic Organ Prolapse - epidemiology; Pelvic Organ Prolapse - prevention & control; Risk; total vaginal length; Turkey - epidemiology; Uterine Prolapse - surgery; vaginal hysterectomy; vaginal vault prolapse
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2010.01430.x

Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new technique of suspending the vaginal vault at vaginal hysterectomy (VH) for total uterine prolapse. Material and Methods:  This prospective study included 65 patients (group 1) in whom VH was performed using the new technique and 110 patients (group 2) in whom VH was performed using the traditional method. Both groups were followed up for 4 years. The incidences of vaginal vault prolapse (VVP), total vaginal length (TVL) (location of vaginal cuff), intraoperative and postoperative complications and sexual function were compared. Results:  There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, parity, body mass index (BMI), blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and sexual function. One (1.5%) patient had VVP in group 1, whereas 12 (10.9%) patients had VVP in group 2. TVL in group 1 was 8.9 ± 1.2 cm while in group 2 it was 5.9 ± 0.8 cm. The operation times were 57 ± 5 min and 76 ± 9 min in group 1 and group 2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding VVP (P = 0.022), TVL (P