title: [Clinical application of a modified posterior vaginal wall hammock in female pelvic floor reconstruction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a modified posterior vaginal wall hammock (PVWH) in the treatment of female pelvic organ prolapse without removal of uterus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with different defects of pelvic organ prolapse underwent a modified PVWH. The procedures included restoring the position of prolapsed uterus by suturing polypropylene mesh to bilateral sacro-spinous ligaments, strengthening utero-sacral ligament by intra-vaginal slingplasty (Tyco Healthcare Group), forming a new recto-vaginal fascia and strengthening levator ani muscle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average operating time was 55 minutes and hemorrhage was 150 ml respectively. Recovery of uterine prolapse was achieved in all cases. After an average follow up of seven months, no vagina distortion, shortening and dyspareunia were observed. One patient had uterine cervix elongation three months after operation. The relieving rate of subjective symptoms was more than 50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Female uterine prolapse could be cured by the modified PVWH and the uterus could be successfully reserved during pelvic floor reconstruction with promising short-term results. More clinical trials are needed to evaluate its effectiveness, safety and long-term outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tenth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Tongji University, China.
authors.forename: Jia-jing
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xiao-wen
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery*