title: Magnetic resonance imaging findings following three different vaginal vault prolapse repair procedures: a randomised study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the vaginal configuration on magnetic resonance imaging following transvaginal sacrospinous fixation (SSF), posterior intravaginal slingplasty (PIVS) (infracoccygeal sacropexy) and sacrocolpopexy (SCP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with vault prolapse requiring surgical treatment were randomly assigned in a balanced way to undergo SSF (n = 7), PIVS (n = 7) or SCP (n = 7). The magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis were performed preoperatively and at 6-12 weeks postoperatively to assess the vaginal configuration using the method described previously. The two main angles measured were: (i) the angle between the lower vagina and pubococcygeal line 'd-angle' (normal: 53 +/- 15 degrees ); and (ii) the angle between the lower and upper vagina planes 'e-angle' (normal: 145 +/- 7 degrees ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean preoperative/postoperatively measured d-angles were 69 degrees /62 degrees, 58 degrees /70 degrees, and 49 degrees /52 degrees for SSF, PIVS and SCP, respectively. The corresponding means for the e-angle were 173 degrees /215 degrees, 189 degrees /146 degrees, and 205 degrees /149 degrees. The changes of the e-angles proved to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) in each surgical group, while no significant change in the d-angle could be found in any of the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant improvements in the restoration of vaginal configuration were achieved in patients who underwent PIVS or SCP. Sacrospinous fixation in contrast seems to increase anatomical distortion of the vaginal configuration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, James Cook University, Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rane
authors.forename: Yik Nyok
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Withey
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology